Circular walk starting from Saint-Paul-d'Oueil

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A lovely walk starting from Saint-Paul-d'Oueil towards the ridges of the Tour d'Oueil Larboust, with views over the valleys and the Port de Pierrefitte.

Details

n°2923141
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.90 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 719 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 719 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,842 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,123 m
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Photos

Huts and the Oueil Valley
Ridges
Cap de la Coume

Description of the walk

Park next to the church of Saint-Paul-d'Oueil.

(S/E) Cross the road to reach the start of the forest track heading north-east.
Straight ahead, a path allows you to climb more quickly, avoiding three bends. After about 200 m, rejoin the forest track. Continue along this track, ignoring the side paths on either side. You will reach a junction of two tracks.

(1) Take the track on the right, climb towards the wooded area and continue until you reach another junction at the Cabane de Courrau; this is the junction with theGRP® Tour d’Oueil-Larboust.

(2) Take the forest road on the left, which follows theGRP® marked in red and yellow. You will soon come to another junction of paths.

(3) Turn left onto theGRP®, continue the climb to reach Cap de la Coume de Mourdère. Continue slightly uphill to reach Cap de la Coume. Follow an almost level path to a new junction marked by aGR® signpost

(4) Leave theGR® here and take the path to the left, following the tracks of deer to reach the shepherds’ shelter. The slope is quite steep.

(5) Return to the forest track that runs alongside the woodland and follow it southwards to reach the original junction.

(1) Turn right and follow the route you took on the way out to return to the car park at Saint-Paul-d'Oueil church (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,123 m - Car park at Saint-Paul-d'Oueil church. Near the - Neste d'Oueil - Affluent de la Neste d'Oô
  2. 1 : km 3.12 - alt. 1,576 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 4.01 - alt. 1,698 m - Courrau Hut
  4. 3 : km 4.48 - alt. 1,735 m - Cazaril l'Antenac crossroads
  5. 4 : km 5.92 - alt. 1,826 m - GR marker
  6. 5 : km 6.78 - alt. 1,636 m - Shelter
  7. S/E : km 10.9 - alt. 1,123 m - Car park at the church of Saint-Paul-d'Oueil

Notes

Before the (1) In the first section before reaching this point, a stone picnic area followed by a wooden table 200 m further up at the first hairpin bend provide a spot to rest with views over the Oueil valley and the Montagne d’Espiau
A drinking trough opposite the stone tables makes them easy to spot beneath the hazel trees.
(2) The shepherd’s hut is closed, but further down is the refuge, which has a fireplace.

Worth a visit

(3) Views of the Oueil valley and Superbagnères during the ascent, and of the Luchon valley.
(Between 3 and 4) Views of the Port de Pierrefitte as you follow the ridges.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
DANIEL NAUDY
DANIEL NAUDY

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I think this hike is usually quite busy, but we were the only ones there on that day; the views are magnificent, and this hike is possible at the end of the season.
You have to walk through the grass to get down to the shepherd’s hut; there’s no path, but your map and the warnings about straying from the route are spot on.

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goeland111151
goeland111151

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
We didn’t complete the entire route but left the car at the Balès pass and followed the GR20 eastwards to the Pic d’Antenac.
A lovely hike along very pleasant paths and trails, with magnificent views of the highest peaks of the Pyrenees range to the south, ending at Pic d’Antenac
A real treat to do with children.
My only regret is the lack of a specific, detailed route on Visorando.

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Janette
Janette

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 20, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The hike took place in very mild weather for the season, with a clear sky and no snow on the ground.
The scenery during the ascent and descent, and even more so on the ridge, is sublime.
The guidebook is perfectly described, with no errors.
We particularly enjoyed point 4, which describes the descent from the ridge down a fairly steep but very pleasant slope through grassy areas amongst clumps of rhododendrons and heather.

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alaval
alaval

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We continued the hike to the summit of Anténac (beyond point 4). Magnificent views of the Pyrenees.
On the way back, we wanted to go via point 5 but we couldn’t find the path!
A lovely hike all the same, although the return along the track was very... long!

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