The GR10 Trail - France - A Trekker's Guidebook

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April 2011

Day 28   "Refuge at Pla de la Lau...an umanned and uninviting three-roomed concrete hut..." . The rudimentary refuge has been replaced with a gite - www.maison-valier.fr

(Thanks to Michael Hobby for this update information)

October 2005

Page 26    Days 12 & 13, spelling should be Etsaut.

Day 1    The climb above Biriatou has been re-routed, though the old way is still usable. The new route contours the hillside to the SW until it climbs to Col des Poiriets, thus avoiding the climb to Col d’Osin. At the end of September 2005 there were very few waymarks on the contouring section. As before, take the spur road, which has been extended. Avoid the immediate left turn to a car park and in a couple of minutes, pass another house and turn right, taking the right-hand of the two pistas. This climbs and turns left, E, as it passes a water reservoir building. Take the path on the right, S, after the building and follow to the E and through a gate. Shortly, turn right, S, then again turn right, S and follow the wide track under the power lines to the SE. The trail can be seen undulating around the slope ahead. Over 2kms later, turn left, E, at a junction and some 700 metres later, again turn left, E. Climb the wide trail through the trees and within a few minutes, follow the main track S, as it zigzags upward, ignoring the grassy one continuing straight ahead. Follow this to Col des Poiriets, identified by the small lake seen to the E, in clear conditions and turn right, S.

Day 3    Bar/restaurant is closed at Ferme Esteben but the gîte is still open. Telephone 05 59 29 82 72 for current details. 1km further on, on the Spanish side, there is a bar/restaurant with small gîte, called Venta Bvrkaitz.

Day 5    At St-Jean-Pied-de-Port there is a second gîte at 21 Rue’Espagne, Tel. 05 59 37 20 71, www.jeangite.free.fr. It is located by continuing along Rue d’Uhart-Cize, past the first gîte and beyond the roundabout to the ‘T’ junction with Rue d’Espagne.

Day 7    About 3.5kms from Esterençuby, on the Plateau de Phagalcete, there is a gîte d’étape called Kas Koleta, tel. 05 59 37 09 73.

Day 13    Chemin de la Mâture, closed by landslip in early 2005, was open in September 2005.

Day 16    In Cauterets, at the steps, if one turns right along Avenue Mamelon Vert, it will lead around a sharp bend directly to the Tourist Office in the centre of town. If one goes down the steps, across the car parking areas and then the bridge, the first on the right is Avenue Leclerc, in which is situated the Casino Supermarket and Galèrie Aladin, where a mountain equipment shop sells larger sizes of screw fitting Coleman gas cylinders.

Day 24    A new gîte has opened in Artigue, above Luchon. It is well marked and is passed upon entering the village. Meals must be booked in advance and taken with family. Telephone 06 82 44 02 25 to reserve or locate the owners. The restaurant has closed.

Day 29    The Auberge du Haut Salat, in Seix, has new owners. A Dutch lady and Danish gentleman, who are renovating the property. Of course, they speak English! Tel. 05 61 66 88 03. Email. aubergeduhautsalat@wanadoo.fr. www.ariege.com/haut-salat/index.html.

Day 31    New gîte in St. Lizier-d’Ustou that is run by the same family as the one to the south at Bidous. It is situated at the northern end of the village near the Mairie. Gîte d’étape et de sejour, La Colline Vert. Tel. 05 61 04 68 17. The hotel/bar/restaurant has closed. An expensive meal can be had at the hotel in Le Trein, to the north, if not staying at the gîte.

Day 34    New gîte/refuge under construction just before Goulier. Al Cantou gîte closed in Goulier.

Day 35        New gîte/refuge under construction just before Lercoul.

Day 37        New refuge planned on Plateau de Beille, possibly near to Cabane d’Artaran.

Day 40    The nearest campsite from Bouillouses is about 3.5km NW from Mont Louis and it can be reached via the Col de Pam, taking the left pista down to the river. In summer, there is a free Navette bus service to the car park opposite it!

Day 41    The campsite, 500m SE up the road from the west of La Cabanasse is very clean and inviting. The restaurant, La Cerdagnole, at the bottom of the road, serves excellent and large meals. Reservations on 04 68 04 14 06.

Day 46        Gîte at Mines de Batère only open from mid April to end of September.

Day 47    New route finally agreed and marked from Arles-sur-Tech. It follows the old route to Col de Paracolls and directly down to Moulin de la Palette, avoiding the crossing below Can Soulor. It then goes to Montalba-d’Amélie and up to Coll Cerda etc.