Rando: the peak of viscos from Cauterets

With its sharp shape as cut with a knife , decorated with a wrought iron cross, the peak of viscos is a lookout at the entrance to the Gaves valley.

From the top of its 2141 meters, it offers a plunging view of the valleys of Argelès-Gazost, Luz-Saint-Sauveur and Cauterets.

From Cauterets, it is an 8-hour round trip hike, some of which passages on the ridges are quite sporty. But the grandiose panorama that awaits you at the end of the last ascent, really deserves the detour!

The start of the hike takes place at the Caesar thermal baths, behind which we take the GR 10 (red marking), which rises in laces at the thermal baths of Pauze Vieux.

We then follow the road to the north, to reach the ONF Cabane du Bousquet (1036 m, 15 minutes).

The GR 10 first takes the road which becomes a forest track in laces, crossing forest and meadows, and goes through the hotel industry of Queen Hortense (1211 m - 2.5 / 3 km - 0.45 a.m. from Cauterets), one Cauterets' "balconies".

The rise in laces continues, to a clearing occupied by a small barn (1475 m - 5 km - 1h30).

A little higher, the trees are clearing up to give a large tray at the foot of grassy slopes, and the laces take you to the Col de Riou (1946 m - 8 km - 2:45 am including stops).

By following the ridges towards the north, the path becomes more rocky and more sporty. It leads you to the foot of the Pic de Viscos, which is by far a real pyramid.

The trail then rises in steep and slippery laces; You have to redouble their prudence and sometimes use the hands to climb.

On arrival, at the foot of the cross characteristic of the peak, you discover the huge 360 ​​-degree panorama on the valleys. You are around 4:15-4.30pm from your departure from Cauterets.

 For the return, we come back to the Col de Riou in 1h10, then either come back by the same route (GR10), or by the Col du Lisey (2086 m - 2 km - 0:40 from the Col de Riou). The path then descends into laces to the Cabane du Bousquet that we left right to go.

Really, a very nice summer or fall hike, from the La Source chalet .

Photos borrowed from the site: https://www.altituderando.com/