Around Cazals-des-Bayles

The response from the editor and creator was much more appreciated... than the terrible description! In truth, we set off from Cazals, where it was not possible to park in front of the church, but where two parking spaces had been created a little further away. That's where the trouble (already) began. It would have been (much) better to indicate that we had to climb the hill to the village exit sign: there is a cross just opposite the path to take, which passes not between two houses but between two ruins! Then we searched in vain for the landmarks for (4), but we did come across a track that led us to Seignalens. After the mill, we made it to the campsite, which we were delighted to discover at the last moment and which seems to be dedicated to Belgians, who made a very good choice, but then you have to RETURN ON YOUR HEELS to get to Pech Agute, otherwise, if you continue, you take the Hounous ridge path. After the hamlet of Le Forgeron, despite various difficult attempts, we were unable to find point (15), as the description "road with several bends" proved to be far too vague. Nevertheless, we managed to reach Barejat by road, where the path leading up to the left is clearly visible and wide. It does not run alongside the stream but overlooks it from a distance. Obviously, it was dry when we crossed, after which we searched in vain for a landmark in the mown fields, unable to "aim" for the reservoir, which is hidden from view. We climbed at random and came across some livestock buildings that must be fairly recent: the reservoir was behind us. The path finally led us to the famous cross at the exit of Cazals, after... six hours of walking, including a lunch break.
To conclude, now that my bad mood has dissipated, I would like to point out that we have enjoyed some beautiful walks in several departments thanks to Visorando, but that too often the description and/or its wording lack precision and relevance, which is detrimental to "strategic" locations, especially for prehistoric hikers who do not walk with a phone in their hand, but with a walking stick. Thank you for your feedback and your attention. JL

Machine-translated

Hello Caoussis, I just saw your comment. I created this route in 2014. At the time, I didn't have GPS and the terrain was as I described it, unmarked. Farmers have certainly changed the landscape. I will redo the route in the autumn when it's not as hot as it is now.
Can you tell me what the problem areas are?
In the meantime, I am deactivating this hike.
Have a good day.

Machine-translated

I confirm the inconvenience. What I regret most is Visiorando's inaction, as it has not requested any corrections to the route or even its cancellation, despite the numerous comments about this itinerary.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

In the absence of signposts, we relied on the description to attempt this hike, which appeared to be as complicated as it was appealing. Unfortunately, confirming the anomalies noted by other hikers, the description caused us considerable torment due to its numerous errors and inaccuracies. We would like to inform prehistoric hikers like us – that is, those who do not use smart devices – that it is IMPOSSIBLE not to get lost if you rely on the description. Right from the start, we spent more than 30 minutes looking for the starting point and the reservoir; the rest of the hike was much the same. Clearly, the writer has never set foot on this route (or if they have, it was in the last century), which we deeply regret because the walk, at least in the places where we weren't looking for the path, was most enjoyable.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Feb 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route that passes through villages and hamlets, offering stunning views of the Tabe Massif.

Machine-translated

Hello,
thank you for this suggestion. I will modify the route.
This path, which was recognised five years ago, has certainly become overgrown.
Thank you
Françoise

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Apr 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
This route is very good and very pleasant, but I would like to point out a small problem at point 11: this path is almost impassable for about 200 metres, so I recommend continuing from Pech Agute towards elevation 422, then turning right to rejoin the original path.
Otherwise, congratulations to the person who created this hike.
Have a nice day and enjoy the sunshine!

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Route completed on 21/2/21. The route does not correspond at all to the path described.
Between points 1 and 2, "150 metres further on, take a path on the left that climbs up the embankment" does not exist.
Point 11: "take the path, which is not very visible and overgrown depending on the season, between the trees on the left". There is no point in going any further and then turning back, as the path is almost impassable, has not been maintained and has been reclaimed by vegetation.
Between points 14 and 15, the route goes between fields and you wonder if you have the right of way.
Between 15 and 16: There is no path along the stream.
Between 17 and 1 After the village, passage through fields.
Some passages seem to be private because, apart from the markings, GPS tracking is very unreliable.
The route is not unpleasant; beautiful surroundings and views.
Moderators, in view of the various inconsistent reviews posted about this hike, I do not understand why they have not been taken down by their authors and made public.
In view of the feedback on my descriptions of my hikes, which you have not validated and which, in my opinion, are more accurate.
PS: the software presentation is less functional than the previous one.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Mar 22, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Although the hike was very good, and even though I had a great day, it must be said that the description lacked detail. (ploughed fields with no passage, at 10 you have to turn right and not left, the reservoir landmark is visible very late, passage without a path on private property, etc.). On the other hand, although the path at 11 is not very visible and very overgrown, it is very passable even if it is a bit scratchy.
As the map, compass and thinking are all part of the game, I recommend this hike.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Feb 26, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Fairly accurate description.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Nov 20, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We set off from Cazals des Bayles, the route is very good.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Oct 31, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello.
We shortened this route by starting from Cazal de Bayles (car park near the church). We went to the Pech Agute viewpoint, 100 metres before which we wanted to take the path indicated in the description, but it was impassable because it was too overgrown. So we retraced our steps and took the GR7 back to the hamlet of Le Forgeron.
A very pleasant hike with no difficulty, except for paying attention to the direction through the meadows after leaving the road at point 13 on the description, and respecting the crops as much as possible when passing along the edge of the fields. Best done in good weather to enjoy the unobstructed views of the Pyrenees, particularly Pic St Barthélémy. Thank you for sharing this beautiful hike.

Machine-translated

Thank you for your feedback. If you have any further details to share that we could add to the description for future customers, we would be happy to hear them.
Kind regards

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Feb 20, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The route is often quite vague, and we had to improvise to find our way, which significantly lengthened the journey. The recommended paths are sometimes very poorly marked.

Machine-translated

As a trail rider, I understand the need to respect crops. Some fields have very wide, convenient verges, while others have no possibility of riding alongside, even on foot...

Machine-translated