Towards the Pédaing hut (revised version)

The route is described from the church in the village of Cette.

(S/E) Take the street crossing the top of the village to the castle, then the small road climbing behind the castle. It crosses a stream over a bridge, then climbs very steeply with two bends.

(1) Just after the last bend, a sort of path branches off to the right, running horizontally along a shaded terrace. Take this path and, 150 metres further on, leave the terrace and follow an old path (which may be overgrown) that climbs slightly, following a line of trees above. This path goes around a rocky outcrop.

(2) Shortly afterwards, cross a sloping track (penstock, at a cairn): do not follow it and continue along the hillside, still climbing gently. The path continues steadily, crossing a small valley, then skirting a second rocky outcrop at the level of a few trees. Be careful at this point: the path becomes a little unclear (or it continues towards the Escuarpe torrent). Leave it as soon as possible (just after passing some logging cables) to climb the spur straight up the slope (north-east direction). The Cabane d'Arna is not far away (in ruins).

(3) From this hut, continue along the cattle tracks until you reach the main track you left earlier. Follow it uphill; it immediately turns left.

(4) Immediately afterwards, leave this track and follow a path on the right, barely visible among the ferns, climbing straight up towards a small valley (north-east direction). This path crosses the stream running down the valley (between two trees, cut branches) and, just after, becomes a fairly well-marked path, beginning a traverse of the slope.

(5) Unfortunately, a rockfall from the cliff just above swept across the slope in 2021, erasing the embankment of the old path. You can find your way using a line of large trees (beech trees, not birch trees) directly above the water intake. At the point where the path's embankment disappears, you are at the fourth tree. It is then strongly recommended that you zigzag up the slope, staying as close as possible to the line of beech trees. The "smoother" areas are the least convenient, while the rockier ones provide better footing (the passage is still a bit difficult). See the route photo, which clearly shows the beech trees for reference.

(6) You have reached the sixth tree, well done! The embankment of the path reappears (south-west direction), sometimes a little disrupted by stones, but still there. You will pass just under a large fallen tree. Then, once you are back on the path, everything is easier: this well-marked path crosses slopes and rocky escarpments with ease, then a small valley suspended above large waterfalls. When you reach the Pédaing clearing, turn sharply left to reach the ruined hut in the centre.

(7) The path continues its upward climb through the undergrowth, heading north-west. After about 500 m, you will emerge from the forest. Just before reaching a spur, the path climbs to the right and joins the main path connecting the Cabane de Lhèze to the Cabane de Narbèze.

(8) Follow it to the left, descending through the undergrowth and sometimes crossing fern thickets.

(9) When you reach the next spur, leave the path on your left that descends towards the Cabane de Sargun (in ruins). The path continues through the undergrowth and downhill. There may be a muddy area towards the end of this section. Finally, leave the forest and enter a pasture area where you will find the Cabane de Lhèze, which is in good condition.

(10) The path passes a little below, but the hut offers a good viewpoint that is worth the detour. Continue down the main path, which descends along the mountainside and then winds around a bend.

(11) At the end of the hairpin bend, you have a choice: either the "official" path on the right, which is clear, or the more direct shortcut through the undergrowth opposite (choice of route). This shortcut saves time and provides shade, so why not take it! It leads to a dirt road, which winds down to the village of Cette. However, there are a few shortcuts available.

(12) After passing two hairpin bends, a small path marked in yellow branches off to the left. Follow it downhill to cut out a fairly long hairpin bend and enjoy the shade at the same time. At the end of the shortcut, rejoin another hairpin bend on the road.

(13) Take the road uphill for a few metres to find a yellow-marked path leading off to the left. This path starts by crossing to the valley, then descends fairly quickly into it. Join the road three hairpin bends further down.

(14) Simply continue straight ahead, then straight on with one last shortcut. The village is easy to spot and the church tower is clearly visible (S/E).

Equipment: bring good shoes and walking sticks to cross the avalanche zone. The route is feasible in all seasons, but the abundance of ferns makes it difficult in summer. Do not linger in this area, as rockfalls are always possible.

Period:

• not recommended in summer: too many ferns!
• In case of snow, snowshoes may be necessary to reach the Pédaing hut.

Water: no drinking water sources along the route (in summer, herds graze at Pédaing).

The old Saint-Pierre church in Cette (listed as a historic building) is worth a visit, as is the Château d'Arance.