Gavarnie - Hourquette d'Alans - Tuquerouye - Pétit-Astazou (3015m) - Grand-Astazou (3071m)

Start: Gavarnie tourism office
End: Go back the same way or continue to other peaks. There's a shelter and a bivi option in the route description.
Alpine grade: F+, for experienced hikers
Time: 6h
Recommended months: Mid-July until first snowfall
Recommended gear: helmet, crampons and ice-axe if you go when there's snow on the climb to Tuquerouye.

A long, moderately difficult hike with many spectacular views. The climb to Tuquerouye is very steep and there's a serious risk of stonefall caused by hikers above, a helmet is therefore strongly recommended! Luckily the climb to the Astazous is situated on much more stable terrain and you can simply enjoy the wonderful views there.

Route description:

0.00 Walk from Gavarnie towards the Cirque and turn left at the path signed for Refuge de Espuguettes. Follow a steep but easy-to-follow path to the refuge and continue E and later SE to

2.30 Hourquette d'Alans (col, 2430m) go down E on an obvious path until 2230m and turn R at a junction (the left path goes to Lac des Gloriettes). At first the path climbs easily past large brown boulders but soon you're faced with a very steep climb (risk of stonefall, helmet recommended). The steep route is obvious and leads you to

4.00 Brèche de Tuquerouye (2666m) where you find a small refuge (14 places, often crowded, but a good shelter). The views to the Monte Perdido and what is left of its northern glacier are amazing. Go down steeply but shortly to Lac de Marboré and turn right before reaching the shore (cairned path). The path climbs a little and then goes down to the lake's shore. Here there are several good places for a bivi. Continue to the most southern tip of the lake and turn W following a path that climbs all the way from 2600m to Col d'Astazou at 2951m (amazing view of the Cirque de Gavarnie and the Grande Cascade). Turn E and continue over the ridge (easy) to

5.30 Pétit Astazou (3015m). Go down E to Col Swan (2964m). Mostly it is possible to follow the ridge but a couple of times you need to improvise your way around a steeper part, however, there are no real difficulties. Beyond Col Swam, climb up again. There is some occasional scrambling, but mostly there are no difficulties. You're mostly walking on a safe, wide mountain, with nevertheless a brutal drop N down into the Cirque de Gavarnie. Reach

6.00 Grande Astazou (3071m). The easiest way back to Lac de Marboré is over the same path, but it is equally possible to go back to Col Swan and improvise your way down without going back to Pétit Astazou and Col d'Astazou.