Getting to the start of the routes

Getting to the start of the routes.

All route descriptions begin at the square in Lescun in front of the Hotel Pic D’Anie.

1] Parking Aumet (Lhers)

Signpost near the Parking Aumet

Leave the square by the route signposted RN 134. Follow the road downhill to a junction where, instead of following the road round to the left, go right which, effectively is straight on. Continue on this road ignoring any side turnings. Cross the bridge over the Gave de Lescun and , just after 2km, pass the Camping de Lauzart on the right. From here continue uphill to the cross road and turn left following the sign to Lhers.

Just after 4km the road is joint by the route coming up from the main valley. Ignoring this and any other

side turnings, continue without deviation until, just after 5km from Lescun, the Plateau de Lhurs is reached.

Follow the road through Lhers , passing the Gite D'Etape on the left. The narrow tarmac strip ascends the valley until it comes to the National Park Boundary and Aumet on your right, almost 11km after setting off.

2] Labrénère Follow directions for Aumet ,past the campsite to the cross roads. This time, go straight over. Follow the route without taking any side turnings until the tarmac runs out and turns into a track where you will find an obvious car park just above the stream almost 6km from the Lescun.

3] Pont Masousa and Pont Lamary Leave the square by the route on the right of the hotel. Exit the village and ignore any turning to the right. Follow the road, crossing a bridge (Pont de Lauga), a little more than 1km from the village, and, shortly after a large boulder on the left (the Caillou du Cure). At 3km from the village the route enters a valley leading to an obvious parking place between two bridges, the first of which is Pont Masousa.

The forest track leading to Pont Lamary leaves the road just before the second bridge (Pont Lamareich). If you choose to park at Masousa you will add an hour’s walk to the day (30 mins each way). You could, however, carefully, negotiate the track for about 1.5km which will lead you to the start of the walks given in this guide.

(The state of the track varies from year to year, depending on forestry activities. In 2011 it was easily managed by a small family car but you might wish to consult local knowledge.)

4] The Plateau de Sanchez (lower route) and the Parking near Borde D’Anapia at the start of the track Follow the route to Pont Masousa and Pont Lamary to the bend where the Caillou du Cure is seen on the left. The second turning on the right after the bend is the track that leads to the Plateau de Sanchez. Take this and find the car park on the right after about 200m.

For the Plateau de Sanchez, continue along the track, ignoring any turnings on the left. The Plateau is reached about 2km after leaving the tarmac road.

5]The Plateau de Sanchez (higher route) Leave the square by the route on the right of the hotel. At the first cross road on the edge on the village take the steep little road on the right and continue up to a T-junction. Turn left and continue for nearly 2km, ignoring any turnings to the left or right. After crossing a cattle grid the road turns into a stony track which can be negotiated by car. Keep on the track for a further 1.5km to arrive at the Plateau.

It is possible to cross the Plateau de Sanchez by car by traversing a ford and a concrete bridge.

6] Parking below the Refuge de L’Aberouat Leave the square by the route on the right of the hotel. At the first cross road on the edge on the village take the steep little road on the right and continue up to a T-junction. This time turn right. Follow the route uphill, passing two barns on the edge of the village. Keep to the same road, ignoring any minor turnings to the left or right which only provide access to houses and farms. A little less than 4km after leaving the square small quarry on the right is passed. This can be used as a starting point for certain walks on the Crete D’Ourtasse, but the car park for the refuge is to be found a little more than 1km further on, on the right.