Circular Pics Girabal and Galinat

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Circular starting from the Monts d'Olmes resort, passing through the Pics de Girabal and Galinat via the Col de Girabal, the Col de l'Étang d'Appy (with a beautiful view of the lake) and finally the Col de Cadène. Some sections require the use of your hands but are not particularly dangerous (in the absence of snow). You can also make a round trip to Pic du Han (from Col de Cadène) or Saint-Barthélémy (from Col de Girabal), but the additional elevation gains are not included in this technical data sheet.

Details

n°85591476
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.34 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 0h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 870 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 866 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,168 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,493 m
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Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the top of the resort, next to the technical services maintenance building.

(S/E) Head south on the track that climbs through the woods.

(1) At the crossroads of the ski slopes, take the left-hand slope to pass to the left of the chairlift departure point and climb through the forest to the Étangs de Fage Belle.

(2) Turn left to go around the ponds on the right and arrive at a fork.

(3) Turn left towards Galinat and Saint Barthélémy and head for the Col de Girabal.

(4) Then take the ridge path on the right that climbs westwards (GRP®). You will need to use your hands a little, but it is not dangerous. Arrive at Pic de Giradal.

(5) Descend the path towards the north-west and reach the Col de l'Étang d'Appy.

(6) Leave the GRP® and continue opposite, heading northwest along the path that climbs up the ridge. It is possible to avoid this tricky section by descending to Étang d'Appy to reach Col de Cadène, but this is a longer route.

(7) At Pic Galinat, descend opposite along the ridge, heading north-west towards Col de Cadène.

(8) Then take the forest road on the right that descends towards the resort.

(9) At the first crossroads, keep right heading east towards the Étangs de Fagebelle. It is also possible to descend directly to the resort by following the road, but it is less scenic. Pass under the Cadène and Galinat ski lifts.

(10) Under the Gage ski lift, turn left to continue down towards the ponds and rejoin the fork you passed on the way up.

(2) At the ponds, continue straight ahead, taking the opposite route to the one you took on the way up, to reach the resort and arrive (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,493 m - Car park next to the maintenance building
  2. 1 : km 0.52 - alt. 1,555 m - Crossroads
  3. 2 : km 1.92 - alt. 1,755 m - Crossroads of the circular. Fagebelle ponds
  4. 3 : km 2.58 - alt. 1,863 m - Fork
  5. 4 : km 3.91 - alt. 2,001 m - Col de Girabal
  6. 5 : km 4.49 - alt. 2,168 m - Pic de Girabal (2,169 m)
  7. 6 : km 4.91 - alt. 2,029 m - Col de l'Étang d'Appy
  8. 7 : km 5.72 - alt. 2,113 m - Pic Galinat (2115 m)
  9. 8 : km 6.52 - alt. 1,950 m - Col de Cadène (1952m)
  10. 9 : km 6.94 - alt. 1,866 m - Crossroads
  11. 10 : km 7.81 - alt. 1,861 m - Crossroads
  12. S/E : km 10.34 - alt. 1,493 m - Car park next to the maintenance building

Notes

The section between (6) and (8) is not marked and includes some slightly exposed and slippery passages.

Worth a visit

Between (4) and (8): beautiful views to the north (including the Monts d'Olmes resort) and south (including the Étang d'Appy lake).

(4) View to the east over Saint-Barthélémy and to the south over the Ax-les-Thermes valley.

(5) and (7) 360° view.

(6) Great spot for a snack with breathtaking views.

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