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From Campan, follow the Col d’Aspin road (D918). On reaching Payolle, turn right (D113) after the holiday camp buildings (altitude 1083 m), crossing a narrow bridge. After 200 m, you’ll reach Les Quatre Véziaux (campsite on the left). Continue along the D113. Follow this straight road for 1.5 km, running alongside the Pelouse Saint-Jean. Before the dam, turn right (1,125 m), still following the D113, known as the “Route de la Hourquette d’Ancizan”. Take the first bend to the right, then another to the left, and continue south on this road for 2 km until the next bend to the left. Park in this open area. Please note: do not drive towards the Cabanes de Camoudiet.
(S/E) Walk towards the Cabanes de Camoudiet along the short stretch of road.
(1) At the end of this road, turn left and head up the right bank of the Camoudiet stream towards the Col de Crabe. After passing the Passarils fountain, continue along the valley floor, always following the stream on the right bank. Pass various springs and drinking troughs to reach a crossroads (alt. 1,802 m).
(2) Continue straight ahead (north-west) to climb to the Col de Crabe (alt. 1,870 m).
(3) Take thethird path on the left and climb the spur heading south-west along a well-marked trail. You must follow this path as there are a few tricky sections. This will take you to the summit of Soum de Coste Oueillère (2,453 m).
(4) A break is welcome here as you can enjoy a magnificent 360° panorama.
Now it’s time to think about heading back down. If the weather is fine, follow the route below via the Coume du Clôt det Mail (route marked on the map). In case of bad or uncertain weather, descend via the same path as on the way up.
For the descent via Clôt det Mail (in good weather, therefore), continue along the ridge heading south-west for 350 m, skirting the start of another ridge (2,429 m) to the left. You’ll reach the end of the ridge (alt. 2,423 m).
(5) Find a path heading due east beneath the Sarrat de Las Lourides, at the scree-to-rocky ground boundary. From this point, it is essential to follow the map, the route description and the GPS. We are in high-mountain terrain and will encounter scree slopes, snowfields (in spring), rocky outcrops to avoid and rocky spurs to cross or bypass.
Descend into the valley using the available paths and tracks. Arrive at Clôt det Mai (alt. 1985 m).
(6) Go round the spur to the left, making two wide bends to reach an unnamed pass (alt. 1945 m) at the end of the Sarrat de Las Lourides ridge.
(7) Turn right and head south-east. The path curves widely for 500 m before heading east. Turn right due south for 100 m, turn left due east for 50 m and descend towards Lac d’Arou, where a break at the hut – which is always closed – may be welcome. We are at the foot of some great peaks.
(8) From the hut, go round the lake to the left, finding a path that climbs slightly due north. 900 m past the lake, this path turns left and heads north-west towards the Col de Crabe, which you passed on the way out.
(2) You will cross the path you took this morning. Do not take the same path as on the way up, but head straight ahead, due east, towards the Cabane de l’Aoubère.
(9) Make sure you follow a well-marked path, keeping to the east. Go round the grassy spur (1763 m).
(10) Descend (1643 m) heading (north-east) towards the bottom of the valley and the Cabanes de Camoudiet. Arrive above the Ruisseau d'Aouassole, stay on the right bank and descend due east to reach the small road you also passed on the way up.
(1) Return to the car (S/E) 300 m to the left.
Visorando Member
Moderate 
Easy 
