A ridge route to the summit of Chebretou that can be completed in one or two days. Personally, I did it in two days at the end of winter, but I highly recommend doing it in summer. Some sections are very steep and not advisable when there is snow.
Day 1: Bedous and Mailh Agor
+ 1150 m / – 0 m 6km
The hike starts in Bedous, accessible by train from Pau. Cross this pretty village built beside the river and climb towards Mailh Agor, the 1300m peak overlooking the village. The orientation table at the start of the climb offers a lovely view.
As we climbed, we were surprised by the increasingly foggy weather. Fine particles were constantly falling from the sky, as if there were a gigantic fire nearby. Reaching the Ourdinse plateau, we discovered that this was indeed the case: half the mountain on the opposite slope was ablaze!
We later learned that this is an age-old technique for renewing pastures. The previous year's grass burns, making way for the current year's. A rather brutal method, all the same! However, it seems the fire zone is more or less under control, since we didn't see any burning forest…
We then arrive at the Ourdinse hut, located on the eponymous plateau. It is rather warm and comfortable, we are well settled there for the night.
Day 2: the ridge and peak of Chebretou
+ 100 m / – 1250 m 14km
The following day, the mist had returned to the valley, leaving us with magnificent weather at altitude. The fire seemed to be out; entire sections of the mountain were blackened. We headed towards the Chebretou peak, following a ridge line. The path was very beautiful but rather narrow and difficult to follow, especially with the snow.
Once past Chebretou, we lost a lot of time crossing the Pétraube pass because the snow made the steep slopes very slippery. The problem was that time was passing, and the departure time of the last train from Bedous to Pau was fast approaching!
We then split into two groups, the faster ones (myself included) still hoping to catch the train on time. We slid down the snowy gullies on our backsides (guaranteed speed!), then arrived at the village of Aydius. The road beyond was far too long, and no one was passing by… We were starting to despair when (finally!) a car appeared, and to our surprise: it contained the two of us we had left behind! A lovely couple had picked them up hitchhiking in the village.
And I must say, the couple's reaction blew me away: as there wasn't enough room in their car, they simply made a quick round trip to drop us off a few minutes before the train! That's what you call being saved at the last minute.
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