Hike: the Pic de Viscos from Cauterets

With its sharp, knife-like shape , adorned with a wrought iron cross, the Viscos peak stands as a lookout at the entrance to the valley of the Gaves.

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

From Cauterets, it's an 8-hour round-trip hike, with some fairly challenging sections along the ridges. But the breathtaking panorama that awaits you at the top of the final climb is truly worth the effort!

The hike starts at the Caesar's baths, behind which you take the GR 10 (red marking), which climbs in switchbacks to the Pauze Vieux baths.

We then follow the road northwards to reach the ONF cabin of Bousquet (1036 m, 15 minutes).

The GR 10 initially follows the road which becomes a winding forest track, crossing forest and meadows, and passes by the Hôtel de la Reine Hortense (1211 m - 2.5 / 3 km - 0h45 from Cauterets), one of the "balconies" of Cauterets.

The winding climb continues, until a clearing occupied by a small barn (1475 m - 5 km - 1h30).

A little higher up, the trees thin out to reveal a large plateau at the foot of grassy slopes, and the switchbacks take you to the Riou pass (1946 m - 8 km - 2h45 including stops).

Following the ridges northwards, the path becomes rockier and more challenging. It leads you to the foot of the Viscos peak, which from a distance resembles a true pyramid.

The path then climbs steeply and slippery switchbacks; extra caution is needed and sometimes the hands must be used to climb.

Upon arrival, at the foot of the distinctive cross on the peak, you'll discover a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of the valleys. You'll have been there for approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes to 4 hours and 30 minutes since your departure from Cauterets.

 For the return, we arrive back at the Col de Riou in 1 hour 10 minutes, then either return via the same route (GR10), or via the Col du Lisey (2086 m - 2 km - 40 minutes from the Col de Riou). The path then descends in switchbacks to the Cabane du Bousquet, which we left on the right on the way out.

Truly, a very beautiful summer or autumn hike, starting from Chalet La Source .

Photos taken from the website: https://www.altituderando.com/