1 - Masada (850m)
In the first bend, take the Bassiès refuge trail, the start of which is indicated by signs. You will very quickly reach a torrent that you cross on a bridge.
Shortly after you will find a fork: follow the left branch, on the edge of the torrent. The path rises slowly and ends up bumping into the torrent. Without crossing it, follow the path which rises to the right of the torrent (north-west direction). The path climbs more steeply until it joins a paved road. Cross it and continue opposite on the marked path. The climb continues in tight switchbacks. 15 minutes later you reach a junction with the GR10 trail.
2 - GR10 branch (1150m)
From there, follow the route of the GR10 to the port of Bassiès. Leave the left and right paths. the first joins Marc and Mounicou, and the second is that of the variant that we will take on the way back. Continue straight on the GR10 (red and white markings) towards the Bassiès refuge. We still have many switchbacks to climb, then finally a flat area that announces the exit of the forest. The trail continues straight in the open, passes under a penstock, and joins the torrent at the level of an astonishing little stone bridge.
3 - Stone bridge
On the right is the route of the variant to be taken on the way back. Continue to the left, still on the GR10, very well marked (north-west direction).
Go to the right of the dam, to follow the Escalès pond. Afterwards, the path continues in the same direction, passes to the right of the Long pond to reach the dam of the Major pond. The path passes the dam on the right, to reach the Etang Mort. Go along it on the left and continue in the same direction.
A little further you pass the Pla de la Font pond on your left. Continue a little further until you reach a junction indicated by signs.
4 - Bifurcation of the Bassiès refuge (1658m)
Leave the path to the Bassiès refuge on your left, unless you have decided to split this long hike into 2 by sleeping in the refuge (dormitory or bivouac). Follow the right path marked "Port de Saleix" which climbs steeply but without difficulty for 300m.
5 - Port of Bassiès (1933m)
From there, follow the yellow markings to the top of the Pique Rouge de Bassiès. (Abandon the GR10 which continues straight towards the port of Saleix to take the yellow marked left path). Cross under the slopes of the Pic de Cabanatous to reach the Col de las Fouzès. Continue uphill on the wide ridge to the summit of the Pic des Planes (southwest direction)
6 - Pic des Planes (2063m)
The ridge trail turns left (south) downhill to the Col du Morech (2024m), then goes up without difficulty to the Cot de Morech (2145m). The trail continues a bit on a ridge. Around 2200m altitude you will leave the ridge to go around the Pic des Fouziès on the left, staying on an easy to follow path. After a long crossing on the eastern flank of the Pic des Fouziès, we briefly reach the ridge around 2350m. Continue the climb up to a flat area.
7 - Replat - junction (2385m)
Yellow paintings on a large rock indicate a bifurcation. So leave the left route that you will use on the way back. Continue straight, towards the wide summit slope of the Pique Rouge de Bassiès. The final climb is tough, but without particular difficulties.
This last portion beyond the peak of Caumale can also be done by following the edge of the crest, the most delicate passages being avoided by the eastern flank. There are then some slightly exposed passages where it is necessary to help each other with the hands.
8 - Red Peak of Bassiès (2676m)
This vast summit has a sumptuous view, especially of the Montcalm massif to the south. Return via the Lavants de l'Escale ponds distance: 14km; drop: -1850m +50m; duration: 5h45 0h00 Pique Rouge de Bassiès (2676m) Return by the same route. After having slightly passed the ponds below on our right, we find the flat area spotted on the outward journey (yellow marks indicating the junction).
9 - Replat - junction (2385m)
The rest of the route is not always obvious, but the cairns and the yellow marks will guide you. Continue to the right at first flat, then go left through the various Lavants de l'Escale ponds, until you reach the spillway of the last pond.
10 - Spillway of the lower Lavants de l'Escale pond (2224m)
Pass the weir. The route now turns left to descend along the Sarrat de Montestaure. Around 2100m, the route turns sharply to the left (westbound), to descend rapidly to the bottom of the valley. Without crossing the Escale stream which meanders through the hollow of the valley, continue to the right (in a northerly direction) along the torrent.
Around 1700m you will find an iron footbridge, half collapsed. Cross the stream to continue to the refuge of Bassiès
11 - Bassies Hut (1647m)
Join the GR10 to the north of the refuge to follow the outward route to the right. Cross the ponds of Bassiès, skirt the pond of Escalès, and find the stone bridge crossed on the outward journey.
12 - Stone bridge (1580m)
Without crossing the bridge, continue straight. The inconspicuous path at the start quickly turns into a good stony path. You end up reaching a paved road, near the Bassiès power station. Rather than follow the road, head right to reach the power station.
13 - Power station (1190m)
Go to the left of the power station on a small footbridge and cross the torrent. Continue on the path to the left and find further on the junction of the GR10 spotted on the outward journey.
14 - GR10 branch (1150m)
Continue downhill to the left on the outward route. Keep this route until the parking lot.
