Montagne d’Espiau from Billière

A lovely circular walk in the Montagne d’Espiau, starting from the small village of Billière. The route passes by the Croix de Garin, offering panoramic views of the 3,000-metre peaks of the Luchonnais region, and takes in a group of cromlechs. A challenging route including some off-trail sections.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.17 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,988 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,972 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,407 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,540 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the small car park below the restaurant, alongside the stream.

(S/E) Take the narrow lane that climbs steeply to the left of the restaurant. This lane turns into a fairly steep path and ends at a junction.

(1) At the junction, turn left and follow the path as it climbs. Before it bends to the right, leave the path and head straight up the slope, out of the forest and up the mountainside until you find a path running along the mountainside.

(2) Continue left along this path running along the mountainside, pass through a gate for cows, then carry on along the same path until you reach a junction. On the way, ignore a path leading up from Garin.

(3) Turn right and climb up to the Croix de Garin, following the narrow path. The slope is quite steep and the climb is arduous.

(4) Magnificent panoramic views of the 3,000-metre peaks of the Luchonnais. Continue along the path which runs alongside two tree plantations.

(5) Leave the path by turning right onto a narrow track that runs alongside a fence on the left, leading to a group of cromlechs (Sarrat de Cousseillot on the map).

(6) At the cromlechs, take a wooden walkway to cross over the fence and reach the field. Follow the path that branches off to the right, climbing a small hillside. The path winds along the mountainside.

(7) Turn left onto a fairly steep (and barely visible) track that descends towards the trees. You will then join a wide path further down.

(8) This path takes you back to the junction from the outward journey.

(1) Turn left and head down the same route you took on the way out until you reach the car park at Billière (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,540 ft - Parking on the main street in Billière - Billière
  2. 1 : mi 0.34 - alt. 3,963 ft - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 0.5 - alt. 4,229 ft - Mountain-side trail
  4. 3 : mi 1.43 - alt. 4,373 ft - Junction towards the Croix de Garin
  5. 4 : mi 1.99 - alt. 5,177 ft - Croix de Garin
  6. 5 : mi 3.41 - alt. 4,754 ft - Turn right at the fork - Cabane du Cap de la Prade (1384m)
  7. 6 : mi 3.88 - alt. 4,393 ft - Cromlechs (Bagnères-de-Luchon)
  8. 7 : mi 4.4 - alt. 4,472 ft - Turn left onto a fairly steep path
  9. 8 : mi 4.77 - alt. 4,016 ft - Wide path below
  10. S/E : mi 5.17 - alt. 3,540 ft - Parking on the main street in Billière

Notes

Between 3 and 4 hours, depending on your fitness level and the breaks you take.
The slopes can sometimes be quite steep, particularly on the ascent to the Croix de Garin ((3) -> (4)) but also on the descent on the way back ((6) -> (8)), where the path can be difficult to find: the GPS track may prove useful.
Take care in hot summer weather (the route faces south).

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

3.7 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
3.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
3 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
User 18049026
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It was a bit tricky to follow the path through the tall grass after leaving the forest, but we found our way with a little thought.
At the top, there was a magnificent view of the mountains, and I could see my car parked in the village of Bilière too ^^
Be careful when handling the electric cables, especially if you have a dog (keep them on a leash if there are grazing animals and there is a ladder you have to climb, which is difficult to do alone).
Most of the descent is in the shade of the forest, which is very relaxing after the rather steep climb.

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Seb Gros
Seb Gros

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk – be warned, the climb up to the cross is quite a challenge, but the view is well worth the effort. We did this in February and found snow; crampons or snowshoes would have been useful on certain sections, and walking poles are highly recommended.

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Bidaou31
Bidaou31

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, challenging mid-mountain route with some lovely views. However, the path is difficult to follow and is sometimes completely overgrown. We had to cut across several times and almost needed the help of a GPS to find the trails again. Best avoided in very damp conditions, as you have to cross steep grassy slopes.

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fabrandos
fabrandos

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike, even if the signposting was a bit poor at the start, but with a beautiful view of all the peaks around Luchon.

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PATRICE31800
PATRICE31800

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello everyone.
A lovely walk in fine weather with magnificent panoramic views of the 3,000-metre peaks around Luchon, but it was difficult to find our way off the path (the vegetation has taken over); between points 1 and 2 we came to a fence and made our way back up to the gate on the path. After that, no problems – lovely views from the Garin cross, but then we ran into trouble between points 6 and 8…… GPS is essential!!!! That’s what adventure’s all about!!!! A very physically demanding hike. For the picnic, there’s a table under the trees between points 5 and 6. Thanks for sharing.

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