Pechbusque circular loop

Park in the village of Pechbusque near the village hall and take the opportunity to fill your water bottles near the tennis courts.

(S/E) The route starts at the wayside shrine. Cross the Chemin du Christ (D4c) and head due north onto the downhill path marked in red and white (^GR®653).

(1) Cross the Route de Bonneval with care and continue straight ahead. Follow the red and white markings of^{the GR®}; the path goes round the Musée des Abeilles to the north and then runs alongside the D37 until the next junction with a path coming from the left.

(2) Leave the^GR® and continue straight on towards Ramonville/Le Pigeonnier/Auzeville/Durand.
When you reach the road, carefully follow the tarmac path of Coustalas for about 40 metres, then, at house no. 2, cross over and take the path on the right to the D35.

(3) Cross the road with care, then enter the woods on the right; the path heads south and reaches a wet and muddy area in all seasons, even in the height of summer. Cross it, keeping a southerly direction, and reach a junction after a left-hand bend.

(4) Turn right towards Durand, heading due south. You’ll reach another Fork in the road.

(5) Keep to the right and follow the path for about 1.5 km until you reach a small bridge.

(6) Cross it and continue straight on, slightly uphill, for about 300 m.

(7) Return to the GR®653. Turn right towards the north-west and follow the Chemin du Bosc Blanc up to the Cami Del Pendut. Continue along the tarmac road to the stop sign on the Route des Pyrénées (D35).

On a clear day, there is an unobstructed view of the Hertzienne Tower, the Téléo and Rangueil Hospital.

(8) Turn left for 20 m, then cross the Route des Pyrénées (at the pedestrian crossing), continue left and further on, turn right (west) to follow the^GR® markings towards the Chemin des Femmes (between nos. 72 and 74) (see Practical Information).
The path continues along a tarmac section. At the T-junction, turn right until you reach the next path on the left.

(9) Leave the road by walking past the stables on the left. The stables are private property. Do not enter.
Head straight on towards the north-west, ignoring the paths branching off to the right or left. At the Fork in the road, keep left until you reach the T-junction.

(10) Turn right then go straight on along a fairly undulating path to the church at Pechbusque (Église Saint-Jacques).

(11) Turn left at the church to cross the village of Pechbusque and finish the walk (S/E).

Between points (6) and (7), trees regularly fall onto the path.

Author’s personal note: 2 reports of fallen trees on the path on the day this hike was recorded, 14/09/2024

Between the Chemin des Femmes and (11), the path is very exposed to the sun. Make sure you bring something to protect yourself and remember to stay hydrated.

(9) On a clear day, there are unobstructed views of the Pyrenees, in particular of Mont Valier (2,838 m), Pic de Barlonguère (2,802 m), Pic de Serre-Haute (2,713 m) and the Maladeta massif, the Aneto massif and its glacier (3,404 m).