Country:
District:
Access: From Lourdes, head towards Bagnères-de-Bigorre via Route de Bagnères (D937). From the second roundabout, after 600 m, at a cross, turn right towards the Anclades housing estate via Rue Haount Monta. Caution: very narrow street with poor visibility. Pass the speed bumps and drive through the village. At the first junction, go straight on. At the next junction, turn left. Follow signs for Rocher de La Vierge. Cross a bridge over the Ruisseau Blanc. At the next junction, turn right onto a track that climbs uphill. You will reach the 538m mark after passing the Grange de Maistre. Signposted; turn left and park as soon as possible on the left before a grassy track leading down into the woods. See warning dated 28 March 2026 and alternative route in practical information.
(S/E) Head up the wide track that enters the woods via a right-hand bend. Pass a barn on your right.
(1) At the first sharp left-hand bend, leave the track and take a well-marked path that climbs through the forest. After 150 m, ignore a path on the right leading to a barn; continue climbing and rejoin the track.
(2) Turn left and follow this track, which descends very slightly. The red and white markings ofthe GR®®78may help you. The track curves to the right and then to the left.
(3) Shortly after this bend, turn right onto a grassy track that climbs through the forest, marked with red and white signs.
(4) Just before the end of the track, ignore the first path on the left which descends steeply. Continue on and, at the end of the track, turn left onto the second small path which descends and continues to go down. It then runs along the hillside. Pass above the Fontaine d'Oueil on your left. Follow this path, which remains very well marked. On your right, the Pic du Jer with its antennas. The path is muddy in places. Pass through two wire mesh gates and come out onto the road with the Grange Couret on your left.
(5) Turn right, heading due south, onto this small road for about a hundred metres.
(6) Leave the return path on your right. Continue along the road, which takes a second left-hand bend for 200 m.
(7) At the next right-hand bend, leave the small road and take a wide path on the left which then narrows. Leave the red and white markings. Some remaining yellow markings may help you. Follow this well-marked path. Caution: slippery area.
You will come to a steeply sloping metal gate, which you must not open as you may not be able to close it again. Go under the gate, crossing the stream. Continue along this path, which runs along the hillside, until you reach a small road.
(8) Turn left onto this road to descend to the village of Ayné. At the entrance to the village, turn right into a narrow lane that goes downhill. After 30 m, turn right and rejoin a street (Chemin des Moulins). No yellow markings.
(9) Turn right, passing a well-preserved wash house and the ruins of the old mill on your right. Climb up a wide grassy path that curves to the left. Climb through the forest, above the village. Pass a reservoir on your right, then some springs on your left. You will occasionally see the yellow markings again. Head due south and climb steeply up the mountain pasture to reach the Fontaine de l'Arrabé at an elevation of 734 metres.
(10) Turn left and climb up through the mountain pasture. Keep an eye out for a red and white paragliding spinner. Arrive near this spot, at the foot of a grassy ridge. Turn right heading due south. Climb up through the mountain pasture, staying on the ridge, to reach Soum de Basta.
(11) Head west, making a wide right-hand bend. Follow the remaining yellow markings and the orange mountain bike markings.
Caution: summer pasture area; only attempt in good weather. Indeed, numerous paths and ridges can mislead you as to the direction to follow.
Pass the 805m mark, then arrive at Soum de Caubi.
(12) This is a lovely spot for a break. Remember to plan your return journey.
Descend from Soum heading north-west. Follow a well-marked path where some yellow markings remain. Pass the 775 m altitude mark and join an old, steep and narrow track. Continue down the hairpin bends and reach a small dead-end road.
(13) Turn right onto this small road, following the red and white markings. Return to the junction you passed earlier on the way out.
(7) Turn left and follow the outward route in the opposite direction for 200 m.
(6) Head left, leaving all markings behind. A little further up, join a very well-marked path that climbs slightly. Head due west, skirting the Coustala on your right. Stay firmly on the path.
You will reach a large pidgeon hunting hut, situated on the edge of a large mountain pasture.
(14) Turn right, heading due north, across open ground in the mountain pasture. Do not head towards the forest or turn right towards the Coustala. Follow a well-marked path that climbs through the pasture due north. This path is overgrown in places but remains visible and well-marked. Continue due north until you reach an open area (an old mountain pasture overgrown with vegetation).
You now simply need to follow an excellent, very well-marked path that climbs up from the Mail de Castillon. There are clear yellow markings. This will take you to the summit.
Caution: Stay on the path at all times; this is a limestone area prone to collapse, with chasms and deep cavities. Reach the antennas and cross via the path protected by a wire fence.
(15) Arrive at the Pic du Jer. Magnificent view over Lourdes and the surrounding valleys.
You’ll need to start your descent. Continue due north across the cleared, well-maintained area of the peak.
Follow a very well-marked path that descends steeply. Take care in wet weather. Descend, join a wide, well-maintained path and pass two shelters.
(16) Head right-hand side as you descend rapidly down a wide, stony staircase with high steps. Arrive at the funicular station.
Turn right onto a wide track and descend along it. Remnants of the old path allow you to bypass the track on several occasions.
Be careful, however, not to take the paths reserved exclusively for mountain bikers and downhill riders. If there are mountain bikers, simply descend by following the track. You will reach a pass with numerous paths and tracks; turn right.
(2) Continue descending along the track taken on the way up.
(3) Leave the grassy track used at the start of the hike on your right and continue straight on for 100 m. Take a well-marked path on the left which allows you to avoid a hairpin bend on the track.
A little further down, look for another, less marked path opposite which allows you to avoid another large bend on the same track. Join the track one last time at the barn and the mountain pasture. Turn right and head down, in the opposite direction to the way up, along the track taken on the way up, and return to the vehicles (S/E).
Visorando member
Difficult 
Easy 
Very difficult 
