General
All hikes can be done without a guide, unless mentioned otherwise.
Always check the weather forecast. Some of the hikes can not be done with fog.
All the hikes suggested, are previously hiked by the Bergtoppers, to exclude any surprises!
Explore the surroundings of the valley
We start the hike from the village Seix.
Via a small road we'll walk to Oust. We'll pass Hotel de la Poste and cross the river 'Garbet'.
We follow the river upstream and arrive in a small village Vic d'Oust.
Here we can find a
Roman church from the 11th century. At certain days it is also possible to admire the inside
of the church.
From Vic d'Oust we walk to Souiex, via small tracks.
In Souiex you can lunch at the local café 'Perroquet'.
After having lunch we'll first follow the river 'Salat' and after we go into the direction
of 'Cos de Bergerac'. Here we follow a path of sand and we'll climb 50 meters for a superb
look on Seix.
We descend to Seix were we can close the day with a glass of wine at one of the
terraces.
Remarks
Bring your lunch, if you do not intend to eat at the Perroquet.
Start and finish in Seix.
Approximately 4 hours hike, 50 meters difference in altitude.
Hike is suitable for everyone.
Hike to Esbints
You can start the day with a transfer to the Col de la Core. From the Col there are two possibilities to
descend to the gite in Esbints. You can go directly and then you reach the gite in 2 hours or you
go via a cabin in the mountains. You descend next to a little stream that is the beginning of
the river Esbints.
You can stop at a little lake where you can have your lunch.
Remarks
Bring your lunch or have lunch at the Bergtoppers.
Start at the Col de la Core and finish at the gite in Esbints
Approximately 2 till 4 hours hike, 600 - 700 meters difference in altitude.
Hike is suitable for everyone.
Hike from the Bergtoppers to the gite in Aunac
Today is a relatief easy hiking day. After your Bergtopper breakfast you go via the GR10
into the direction of Esbints. You walk to the valy of the Artigue. Via some little tracks and a nice forest
you descent to the gite of Esbints. Here you will find pigs, chicken, dunkeys, horses and maybe more.....!
After a little brake you go on via a road. Via the woods and a little hill you reach Camp Peyret,
almost at the gite in Aunac.
Here too you find dunkeys who need some attention.
You sepnd the night in the gite of Aunac.
Remarks
Take a packed lunch of the Bergtoppers
Start Bergtopper, end the gite in Aunac
Ca. 3 to 4 hours hiking, 400 meters descend and 100 meters ascend
Suitable for everyone
Hike from Aunac to Seix
After your breakfast in the gite you start your hike. Via the GRP you walk to the village Aunac, where you will
find some people only in the summer. In wintertime it is empty.
After that you join the GR10 where there are 2 options to go to Seix......
Remarks
Bring your packed lunch or have lunch in Seix
Start in Aunac and end in Seix
direct to Seix: Ca. 2 hours hiking, 200 meters descend
Via the Cos hill: Ca. 4 hours hiking, 50 meters descend, 350 meters ascend, 500 meters descend
Suitable for everyone
Hike to Aunac
After a good breakfast in the gite you start walking. According to the GR10 you go down on a road.
After an hour you reach a little parking place. From there you have also 2 possibilities.
You can go directly to the gite in Aunac which you reach in 1 hour or you climb a little
mountain first. The top of the mountain gives you a very good view on the Mont Valier massif which
you can climb later in the week.
Of cours a very nice place to have lunch.
See also Climb of a little mountain
Remarks
Bring your lunch
Start in Esbints en finish in Aunac
Approximately 2 till 5 hours hike, 300 - 500 meters difference in altitude.
Hike is suitable for everyone.
Climbing a small mountain
The climb starts at a car park in the direction of Esbints.
You start with an easy climb on a friendly path through an ancient forest.
You'll see signs which tell you something of the surrounding.
You do not have to get bored during the climb!!
After about two hours you'll reach the top with a magnificent view of Mont Valier
and several other peaks. There is an orientation table to show all the names of the peaks
you'll see. You can also have lunch at a picnic table.
After having lunch we'll descend
via a different track. We'll see again signs about the environment.
Remarks
Bring your lunch.
Start and finish at the parking of 'Sentier du Cos'.
Approximately 4 hours walk, 500 meters difference in altitude.
Hike is suitable for everyone.
The hike can also start at Seix (plus 1,5 hours)
Hike from Couflens to Ustou or Bidous
You start the day with a transfer to Couflens.
From there you start hiking to the gite in Bidous.
You start climbing from 700 meters to 1500 meters. This is a nice climb with different views.
On the top you have a nice view into two different valleys.
It is also possible to make a circle tour for 2 or 3 hours.
You can also go down and finish the day in the swimming pool of St. Lizier d'Ustou. Very nice
for the children.
From there it is only 30 minutes to the gite in Bidous.
Remarks
Bring your lunch
Start in Couflens en finish in Ustou or Bidous
Approximately 4 to 5 hours walk, 800 meters difference in altitude.
Hike is suitable for everyone.
Hike to the chateau
You start in Seix and walk upstream the river the Salat, in the direction of the kayak base.
From here you go on via an unpaved path to end in a village where people only live in the summer.
Now you enter the forest to walk via nice tracks to the chateau. This is a nice place to lunch.
After the lunch you descend via another track to another village.
Finally you reach Seix..........
Remarks
Bring your lunch
Start and finish in Seix
Approximately 5 hours walk, 700 meters difference in altitude.
Hike is suitable for everyone.
Hike from the river Riberot to the cabin of the 'Bergtoppers'
From Seix we'll drive to the start of our hike: the river Riberot. A beautiful spot with a
superb view…
We walk via the GR10 in the direction of the Cap and start right away with a steep climb.
We'll pass a cabin which can be used as a shelter.
After the climb the track gets easier and
while passing cows, sheep and horses we'll reach a lovely lake where we can have lunch.
I even saw people once swimming in the lake… (brrr)
It is an other 3 hours walk to the Bergtoppers.
Depending of the time of year you could run into Isard (Spring) or raspberries (Autumn).
Remarks
Bring your lunch.
Start at the river Riberot and finish at the Bergtoppers.
Approximately 7 hours walk, 1.000 meters difference in altitude.
Hike is suitable for everyone.
Hike from Couflens to Seix
From Seix we'll drive to Couflens: the start of our hike. We climb to Col de Pause.
We'll pass some cute houses with very nice flowers on our way up.
After 2 till 3 hours we'll
reach the Col. A nice spot to have our first break
. Via an old track we'll descend to the
valley of the river Estours. We'll see a beautiful cascade and a cabin of the ONF
(Forestry)
. With fine weather this is a nice spot to have lunch.
After having lunch
we'll descend to the river Salat and reach the 'real' world. From here on it is only one
more hour to Seix.
Remarks
Bring your lunch.
Start at Couflens and finish at Seix.
Approximately 6-7 hours walk, 800 meters difference in altitude.
The hike is suitable for everyone.
Hike from Salau (860 meters) to Cirque d'Anglade (1499) and back
We start our walk at the parking just passed Auberge les Myrtilles. Via a paved road we'll
head for the mines. After an hours walk we'll reach the mines.
Today the mines are not in use
anymore, but they used to provide a lot of work for the people of Salau. Perhaps in the
future an outdoor center will open its doors in the old buildings.
At the mines we'll take a short break, to prepare for the climb to the Cirque d'Anglade.
It is a long, steep climb of 250 meters. It is not difficult but very tiring. Through the
trees during the climb, you'll see the effect of the mining business on the environment.
After a climb of an hour the reward is given… An impressive cirque and a marvelous
cascade. It is strange that the water flow ends up in a quiet pool.
We'll have our lunch in the valley and a well deserved break.
It is possible to do some real
climbing, but watch yourself. It is most likely we'll see some Isards, because there are about
500 of them living here.
Via the same track we'll descend to the mines. At the mines we'll take a track through the
trees back to Salau, were we finish at the Auberge Myrtilles. If the terrace is open,
we can have a drink…
From the auberge it is an ½ hour walk back to the parking.
Remarks
Bring your lunch.
Start and finish in Salau.
Approximately 4 hours hike, 600 meters difference in altitude.
Hike is suitable for everyone.
Hike from Seix (500 meters) to Cominac (750 meters)
The hike starts in Seix.
You'll walk through the cute village Seix and you'll cross the river Esbints.
Now you'll start an easy climb to a holiday village.
From here you'll follow the GR Pays. Among others you'll have a beautiful view at
the mountain village Sentenac d'Oust.
Most of the time you'll walk through a forest and occasionally you'll pass some small villages.
After about three hours you'll reach Soueix, where you can have a cup of coffee/tea.
You can even have lunch in the local pub. They serve only one menu including wine,
for a reasonable price.
From Souiex you'll walk on and reach a 'platform'.
After the platform it is another hour till you reach the cabin of Cominac.
Remarks
Bring your lunch.
Start in Seix and finish in Cominac.
Approximately 5 hours hike, 200 meters difference in altitude.
A nice walk, suitable for everyone.
Hike from Cominac (750 meters) to Aulus les Bains (750 meters)
Today you'll do a real mountain hike!
You'll start with a nice climb where you'll see orchids in Spring and probably see foxes.
After the climb you'll walk for a while at an unpaved track.
After this track you'll ascend again.
You'll pass some big boulders and you'll have the most
beautiful views along the way. You could even see a paraglider fly by.
The top is the perfect spot to have lunch.
Passing the top, you'll walk through the forest and you'll start to descend to Aulus les Bains.
Remarks
Bring your lunch.
Start in Cominac and finish in Aulus les Bains.
Approximately 6 hours hike, 800 meters difference in altitude.
Suitable for everyone.
Circular tour from Aulus les Bains to the Cascade d'Ars
From the gite we'll make a circulair tour to a beautiful cascade.
From the cascade we could walk on to the lake of Guzet, or return.
This circular tour is not to be missed… Let the tour surprise you!
Remarks
Bring your lunch.
Start and finish in Aulus les Bains.
Approximately 7 hours hike, 700-1.000 meters difference in altitude.
Suitable for everyone.
Hike from Aulus les Bains (750 meters) to Bidous (750 meters)
Today will be a superb hike, some call this the queen of hikes.
You'll start with a climb via the GR Pays/GR 10 to a cascade. At this cascade is a beautiful
cirque. You'll have to see this…
From here on you'll continue to ascend to the ski area "Guzet Neige", a beautiful spot to have lunch.
This is the highest you'll get when you are walking the Tour de Pays": 1.650 meters.
You'll continue to walk on small tracks and you'll slowly start to descend in the direction of
St.Lizier d'Ustou and Bidous.
The last part of the hike is through trees and you'll descend via a friendly path.
Remarks
Bring your lunch.
Start in Aulus les Bains and finish in Bidous.
Approximately 5-6 hours hike, 1.000 meters difference in altitude.
Suitable for everyone.
Hike from Bidous (750 meters) to Rouze (950 meters)
Today you'll have the opportunity to slow down a bit. You can sleep in and start easy the
hike, which will take about 3-4 hours. You'll pass plenty of nice spots to have lunch.
You could also start with a different morning walk, to the Cirque de Cagateille (3-4 hours
there and back). The Cirque de Cagateille is a circular valley with lots of cascades.
It reminds us of Canada.
From Bidous to Rouze you'll pass a small supermarket and a swimming pool where you can have
a refreshing splash!
Remarks
Bring your lunch.
Start in Bidous and finish in Rouze.
Approximately 4 hours hike, 800 meters difference in altitude.
Suitable for everyone in a good shape.
Circular tour at Bidous
If you're hiking the "Tour de Promenade" this will be your last
day, which we could end with a nice circular tour. This means we can walk without luggage!
From the gite of Bidous we'll head for the Cirque de Cagateille. Via a very nice track we'll
reach the entrance of the Cirque de Cagateille within about 1 ½ hours.
Just a few minutes more and we'll have a beautiful view at several cascades and an enormous
wall of rock. It looks like 'little Canada'.
We'll continue to walk to two mountain lakes, where we have the opportunity to swim.
Today we'll almost reach the magical height of 2.000 meters!
Remarks
Bring your lunch.
Start and finish in the gite of Bidous.
Approximately 7 hours hike, 1.000 meters difference in altitude.
Hike is suitable for everyone in good shape, not possible to walk in fog.
Hike from Rouze (950 meters) to Aunac (700 meters)
When you walk the "Tour de Pays", this will be your last
hiking day, but certainly not the least!
After having breakfast at the goat farm of Rouze you'll descend via a forest to the village
Couflens. Via the road and some short cuts you'll climb to the Col de Pause,
the highest top you'll reach today.
From the top you'll leave the GR10 track and you'll descend via an old track to the valley of
the river Estours. Next to a nice cascade you'll have a fine lunch!
You'll continue to descend along the river Estours, sometimes you have to cross the river.
Eventually you'll reach the river Salat and the 'real' world.
The last climb to Aunac is one you'll remember…
Remarks
Bring your lunch.
Start in Rouze and finish in Aunac.
Approximately 7-8 hours hike, 800 meters difference in altitude.
Suitable for everyone in good shape.
Hike from Seix (500 meters) to the cabin of Subera (1495 meters)
From Seix we'll head for the gite of Esbints. The first part is an easy hike at a paved road,
a nice warming up. After 1 ½ hours we'll reach Esbints, where we can take a small break.
We could have a cup of coffee and watch the animals of the farm (donkeys, horses, pigs).
After the break we'll walk via the GR10 to the Col de la Core.
We can have an extra stop at the cabin that belongs to the community of Sentenac d'Oust or at the Bergtoppers
cabin, to have a nice lunch.
The climb to the Col de la Core is a steep climb, but certainly worth the effort.
After approximately two hours we'll reach the Col the la Core.
Now we'll walk to the Cabin of Subera. This is a cabin without a warden, which is guarded by a Shepard.
The track to the cabin is a alternative to the GR10 (GR10d).
After two hours we'll reach the cabin, where we'll eat and sleep.
Remarks
Bring your lunch.
Start in Seix and finish in Subera.
Approximately 6 hours hike, 1.000 meters difference in altitude.
Suitable for everyone.
Hike from Subera (1495 meters) to Estagnous (2245 meters)
After having lunch in the cabin of Subera we'll take the 'Chemin de Liberté' to the refuge of
Estagnous. Along the way we'll pass the remains of an airplane from the second World War.
The 'Chemin de Liberté' (Freedom Track) was a track used in the Second World War to flee to
Spain. Every year people walk this track to remember the War.
We'll start with a steep climb and we'll pass a Col. From the Col we'll descend to a lake.
A nice spot to have lunch. Now we'll continue to climb to a massive platform of rock.
As soon as we reach this platform, we'll be able to see the refuge of Estagnous below.
A nice shower and glass of beer awaits us…
Remarks
Bring your lunch.
Start in Subera and finish in Estagnous.
Approximately 8 hours hike, 1.000 meters difference in altitude.
Suitable for everyone in good shape.
Only possible with good weather conditions.
Hike from the Riberot (900 meters) to Estagnous (2245 meters)
You drive to the Riberot where you start your hike to the warded refuge Estagnous.
After an hour and 30 minutes you reach a very nice cascade, a good place for your first brake.
From here you climb further a little steeper. Now you start sweating.
After an hour climbing
you reach un anwarded cabin. A very nice place to have lunch. From here you can also see the
refuge Estagnous.
Now it is another hour climbing.
Fortunately you can drink a very big beer or something else and
have a hot shower.............
Remarks
Bring your lunch
Start Riberot, end Estagnous
Approximately 4 hours hike, 1.300 meters difference in altitude.
Suitable for everyone in good shape or people that are walking for 2 or more days.
Climbing of the Mont Valier (2838 meters)
Today we'll climb the Mont Valier!
From the cabin of Estagnous we'll climb about 1 ½ hours to reach a saddle.
It is another 45 minutes walk to the real top.
As soon as we reach the top we're at the highest point of the Haut Couserans: 2838 meters!
Remarks
Bring your lunch.
Start and finish in Aunac.
Approximately 4 ½ hours hike, 600 meters difference in altitude.
Suitable for everyone.
Hike from Estagnous (2245 meters) to Montgarri (Spain, 1565 meters)
After having breakfast, we'll head for the Spanish refuge Montgarri.
First we'll descend to the lake Rond and than we'll ascend to the lake Long.
We'll have some help from the cables present.
Just before the lake Long we'll turn to the left and we'll climb via a canyon to Port Clavera.
As soon as we reach the top, we are in Spain.
At the Spanish side other signs are used, also in a different way…
We'll find a nice spot to have our lunch.
After having lunch we'll ascend to the river Noguera Pallaresa.
From the river it is another 1 ½ hours to the Spanish cabin.
Remarks
Bring your lunch.
Start at Estagnous and finish at Montgarri.
Approximately 8 hours hike, 900 meters difference in altitude.
Suitable for everyone in good shape.
Only possible with good weather conditions.
Hike from Montgarri (Spain, 1565 meters) to Salau (850 meters)
Today we'll leave Spain and we'll go back to France.
We'll start with an easy walk of two hours next to the river Noguera Pallaresa,
through a wooded area. We walk in the valley d'Aran.
After the valley we'll start with an easy climb to Port Salau.
After an hour we'll reach Port Salau and we'll have our lunch here, at the border of Spain
and France. We'll see the remains of the trade of wood, done between the French and Spanish
in earlier days.
After having lunch we'll descend to Salau, to finish at a terrace in Salau.
We could end our hike while waiting for our transfer.
Remarks
Bring your lunch.
Start at Montgarri and finish in Salau.
Approximately 8 hours hike, 1.100 meters difference in altitude.
Suitable for everyone.
Hike from the Col de la Core to the river of the Riberot
From the Col de la Core we'll head for the Col d'Auedole via a nice, rough path.
We'll probably see lots of raspberries and isards.
After a 1 ½ hours walk we'll reach a cabin, a shelter for maximum 5 people.
We'll continue to climb for ½ an hour to a lake with a beautiful view: Etang d'Ayes.
A beautiful place to have a break. We can even have a swim at the lake…
After another hours walk, we'll reach another cabin. Here we'll find a sign for the valley
of the Riberot. We'll start to descend to the river Riberot, our finish.
A beautiful spot to sit at the river and view Mont Valier.
You could extend the walk for another hour to a beautiful cascade.
Remarks
Bring your lunch.
Start at the Col de la Core and finish at the Riberot.
Approximately 6 hours hike, 900 meters difference in altitude.
Suitable for everyone.
The hike can be extended.
Hike from the Col de la Core (1395 meters) to Etang d'Ayes (1860 meters) and back
or return via Etang de Bethmale (1005) to the Col de la Core
This is a superb hike, but a very tough one. The hike can be cut down for example you could
only go to the Etang de Bethmale (about a 3 hours walk) or you could only go to Etang d'Ayes
(about a 5 hours walk).
From the Col you'll walk to the Cabin of Clot d'Eliet. After ½ hour you'll see lots of framboses.
You are likely to see Isards as well. The climb is a heavy one.
From the cabin it is another 1 ½ hours walk to the lake of Ayes.
This is a beautiful spot to have lunch and maybe a swim.
After having lunch you'll return to the cabin where you can decide to continue to walk to
the lake of Bethmale or to return to the Col de la Core right away.
The lake of Bethmale is a beautiful lake as well. Lots of local people come to the lake in
summertime. It is not allowed to swim in this lake. From the lake you'll walk to the Col de
la Core.
Remarks
Bring your lunch.
Start and finish at the Col de la Core.
Approximately 6 hours hike, 900 meters difference in altitude.
Suitable for everyone in a good shape.
From the col de pause (1527 meters) to the paradise and back
via the GR10
Let the circular tour surprise you!
Some people think that this is paradise......
Remarks
Bring your lunch
Start and finish at the Col de Pause.
About 5 hours hike, 1000 meters difference in altitude.
Suitable for everyone in a good shape.
From Coumebiere (1400 meters) to Refuge de Bassies (1650 meters) and back
You start walking from Coumebiere. Via the GR10 you ascend and you continue cia another track.
You pass ruines of mining and a little lake where you can take a little brake.
After this you continue ascendig and you will reach the ridge. From here you can see the refuge.
Via the GR10 you will reach the refuge.
The next day you go back to. This whole day you follow the GR10
and you start with a heavy climb but the panorama is magnificent. Finally you reach a very beautiful mountain lake.
From here you go down to Port de Saleix and finally you reach Coumebiere.
Remarks
Sleep in the refuge
Bring 1 packed meal
Sleeping bag or sheet
Start in Coumebiere and end in Coumebiere
Day 1 about 600 meters ascending and 350 meters descending
Day 2 about 350 meters ascending and 600 meters descending
Suitable for everyone
From the gite Eylie (920 meters) to the Refuge d'Araing (1965 meters)
From the gite you go on via the GR10. Soon you meet some rests of the mines (station
rouge) and from there you go on via a nice made path. After 1300 meters climbing you arrive at
the Serre d'Aring
(2221 meters). The highest point of today! From here you descend to the refuge!
Remarks
Bring your lunch
Start gite Eylie and finish at the refuge d'araing.
About 4-6 hours hike, 1300 meters difference in altitude.
Suitable for everyone in a good shape.
From Refuge d'Araing (1965 meters) to the gite Eylie (920 meters)
Maybe we can go in the morning to Pic de Crabere (2629 meters)?
From the refuge you go to the cabin that you can see downhill at the lake. At this cabin you
follow the GRP, the tour du Biros to the chapel. With a nice hike, the chapel,
and some empty cabins you descend to Eylie.
Fortunately it less steep then the way up!
Remarks
Bring you lunch
Start refuge d'araing end gite Eylie
About 4 hours hike, 1000 meters difference in altitude
Suitable for everyone in a good shape.