"We had originally intended to climb the Gran Vignemale or Pique Longue which is the highest point of the Massif de Vignemale but because of time constraints we had to make do with the hikers peak of the Petit Vignemale. Our biggest mistake was that we parked our little hire car too low and too far below the dam. The road is unpaved but with a little persistence and basic off road driving skills one can actually drive all the way to the dam saving precious time if you plan to do an out and back. From the dam it is a picturesque walk up the Oulettes d'Ossoue valley passing beautiful waterfalls and impressive cliffs and crossing the le Pont de Neige until the lower reaches of the glacier d'Ossoue moraine. Here there is a bivouac possibility in the form of the Grottes Bellevue, although not very pleasant. It is also where the route for the highest peak leaves the main GR10 footpath. Crampons for the ice and a rope in case of crevasses are a good idea, as is a helmet if the last scramble up to the Picque Longue is busy. We chose to do the easier hiking peak and so continued up to the Refuge Bayssellance at 2651m where we had a short break to feast on their homemade chocolate pudding a..." — chrispatient • Aug 19, 2017

"From the Col de Tentes 2208m above Gavarnie. From the car park, took the trail to the Port de Boucharo 2270m, then path along the northern flank of the mountain through the cascade from the Glacier du Taillon (cross with care) and steeply up to the Col des Sarradets 2589m. Then a short descent down to the Refuge des Sarradets. From there the trail leads steeply up a lateral morraine to a plateau. The trail continues over and up the glacier (ice axe and crampons not needed in high summer, but treat with care as a slip could be dangerous) to the amazing Brèche de Roland 2807m. From there the trail leads west on the Spanish side under the cliffs of Pointe Bazillac 2975m to another col by the finger of rock known as le Doigt. The route is a bit exposed at this point, but not too bad. Then the ascent is tedious but easy to the summit. It took us 9 hours in the heat, but could be done in far less time by a younger fitter walker. Returned by our outward route. Saw many choughs, a kestrel, and a marmot. With ALT to the refuge, and with TST to the summit. 15.0 km, with 970m of ascent." — marktrengove • Aug 24, 2016