Loop via the Saunères hut from Artigue

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This easy hike will allow you to discover Artigue, a charming village in the Luchonnais region, beautiful forests and a superb panorama of Bagnères-de-Luchon surrounded by its 3000m peaks, all on very different paths and trails.

Details

n°1607007
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.42 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,975 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,972 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,509 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,006 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐
    Area: Pyrenees
  • ⚐ City: Artigue (31110)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 42.829862° / E 0.619275°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 1848OT, 1848OTR
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Photos

View of the 3000-metre peaks of Luchonais
View of the start of the hike
Saunères fountain
Saunères hut

Description of the walk

(S/E) From the car park with its beautiful view, head north towards the village of Artigue. Walk through the village.

(1) At the village exit, take the wide path that climbs to the right (GR®10) and follow it for about 1.6 km. Red and white markings.

(2) At the crossroads, follow the wide path heading due east opposite (PR®). This path remains level. Follow it for about 1.2 km. Cross the Ruisseau du Bois des Ayres stream (1,482 m).

(3) Do not cross another stream (1,470 m), but take the path on the right that climbs steeply for about 400 m. At the edge of the woods, you will see the Plan de Bosc hut. Continue on the path that descends to the right, leaving the hut on your left. The path climbs steeply.

(4) Turn left along the stream, taking the path that climbs steeply for about 100 metres.

(5) Turn right onto the path that continues through the forest, heading south-west, crossing the Ruisseau du Bois des Ayres stream. Please note: this path is not easy to see, so keep your eyes peeled. It then turns into a track. Follow it for about 2 km until you reach the edge of the forest at a crossroads.

(6) Take the wide path on the left that climbs up to the Saunères hut.

(7) After stopping to enjoy the view, continue eastwards along the path that descends towards the Fontaine de Saunères (watering hole).

(8) At the fountain, turn right, heading south-west, without crossing the stream. The path is not immediately visible, but you can see it a few metres ahead as you cross a short marshy section. This path winds along the mountainside with a significant slope, but it is not very dangerous. Nevertheless, please be careful. Continue along the path until you reach a pine forest.

(9) In the forest, turn right onto a wide grassy path that descends northwards. __Caution_: this path may not be easy to find immediately after entering the woods. Follow this path downhill for about 800 metres towards a barn.

(10) Caubet barn. At the edge of the woods, turn right immediately and take a wide, drivable path that descends. Cross three streams. Follow this path for about 1.6km to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,029 ft - Panoramic car park.
  2. 1 : mi 0.26 - alt. 4,016 ft - Path climbing to the right GR10.
  3. 2 : mi 1.26 - alt. 4,731 ft - Crossroads.
  4. 3 : mi 2.16 - alt. 4,820 ft - Path on the right
  5. 4 : mi 2.66 - alt. 5,243 ft - On the left, there is a steep path.
  6. 5 : mi 2.74 - alt. 5,361 ft - The path is not very visible at the start on the right.
  7. 6 : mi 3.73 - alt. 5,141 ft - On the left, a wide path climbs uphill.
  8. 7 : mi 4.16 - alt. 5,482 ft - Saunères hut.
  9. 8 : mi 4.38 - alt. 5,430 ft - Watering hole, marshy ground on the right.
  10. 9 : mi 5.04 - alt. 4,859 ft - Grassy path leading downhill.
  11. 10 : mi 5.63 - alt. 4,232 ft - Caubet barn, accessible by vehicle.
  12. S/E : mi 6.42 - alt. 4,032 ft - Parking at the finish.

Notes

Access from Toulouse: D125 towards Bagnères-de-Luchon. A few kilometres before Bagnères-de-Luchon, turn left towards Salles-et-Pratviel and Juzet-de-Luchon (D27) and then towards Sode and Artigue (D46). Car park at the entrance to Artigue.

Equipment: suitable walking shoes, walking sticks, water, cold/rain gear and sun protection...

No water source, no shelter.
Please note: The huts were closed when I visited but may be open at other times. The Saunères fountain is a drinking trough.

Worth a visit

(1) Car park: orientation table and panoramic view

In the village of Artigue, there is a house with a thatched roof worth seeing.

(7) At the Cabane de Saunères: superb panorama of the Luchonnais region.

Bagnères-de-Luchon and all its surroundings.

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

4.4 / 5
Based on 23 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Arcade
Arcade

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It’s a lovely walk, but I agree with some of the previous comments: after a while, the markings disappear and it’s hard to find your way, particularly after point 4. Once you’ve passed the hut and gone underneath it into the woods, you mustn’t go down into the woods but carry straight on.
The same applies when you reach point 9: you need to cross the small wood to the right, heading north, and not go down, to find the path on the other side of the wood.
A GPS is essential for this hike; otherwise, I don’t think we would have made it.
Thanks all the same for this lovely suggestion; on such a hot day, we were often in the woods and enjoyed a lovely cool breeze.

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Urbanspeech
Urbanspeech
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on 10/03/2026, starting late morning.
Superb hike, very well described, with splendid views of the Luchonais peaks.
The path was still snowy in places but passable with caution.
A must-do!

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Grizipi
Grizipi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A superb hike offering magnificent views of the peaks.
We thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely do it again.
Thank you to the author!

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Cathare09
Cathare09

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The loop via the Saunères hut is very interesting. However, the descent after the hut is very poorly marked. At the entrance to the woods, we didn't see the "grassy path" and went straight down, which was quite dangerous (lots of slippery leaves on rocks, steep slopes, etc.). Above all, don't go straight ahead; you absolutely must find the path. Otherwise, you'll have to go back down from the hut via the path you took on the way up, which is quite pleasant although it's quite steep... Enjoy your hike!

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Toto32
Toto32

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike in glorious weather, with fascinating views of the Luchon valley and the surrounding peaks.
We encountered difficulties at points 5 and 9, where the description says "Caution", and lost the path before finding it again. The GPS was a great help...
Nevertheless, we were very satisfied with the day, and this outing is definitely worth the trip.

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LYS JAUNE
LYS JAUNE

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Review paint marks, which are difficult to see in certain places

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PtitBreton3531
PtitBreton3531

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We went (as recommended) from point 2 to 6 to shorten the route (skipping points 3, 4 and 5).

Remember to continue past the hut (point 7) to continue the route (do not turn left at the hut).

You can climb behind the hut to the peak (20-30 minutes max) to enjoy the view, which is ideal for a picnic.

Be sure to read the comments. I can confirm that without a GPS, we would probably have taken a wrong turn or two (particularly at points 7 and 8). But nothing to worry about .

Otherwise, a very beautiful hike 👍🏼! I highly recommend it. The route is very pleasant.

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Marielyne
Marielyne

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The possibility of shortening the route should be mentioned

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gunam
gunam

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I took inspiration from the suggested route (many thanks to its author) to create a personalised route that was also very enjoyable, avoiding the slope between 8 and 9 mentioned in the description:
1 - I followed points 1 - 2 - 6 - 7 (Saunères hut) - 6 - 5.
2 - Descent to the Plan de Bosc hut due west from the PR that passes above (dotted line on the IGN map), as the descent via point 4 seemed a little complicated to me due to the presence of snow.
3 - Visit to the Cunau hut
4 - Return to Artigue via points 3 - 2 - 1.
A very beautiful and easy hike, using GPS to confirm the position and validate the correct trails.
The presence of snow above 1,400 metres was a bonus.

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Bonet
Bonet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, perfect for the whole family! Or not!!!

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Amarette
Amarette

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very accessible hike offering beautiful views of the snow-capped Pyrenees throughout. Its unique feature, with a bit of luck at the Saunère hut, is the behaviour of the kites, which do not hesitate to swoop down on the remains (bread crusts) of successive picnics, without fear of our presence (about four metres away). This is a fleeting moment, perhaps linked to the nesting period.

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EstelleKbs
EstelleKbs

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike! There was still quite a bit of snow on most of the route, but it was very easy going in hiking boots. We had a little trouble following the route because of the snow, but we quickly got back on track (thanks to the GPS). The view is magnificent.

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ORCC
ORCC

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike completed in 3 hours and 10 minutes in good weather.
We missed the PR at the crossroads (2) by continuing straight ahead along a wide forest path that climbs uphill, and found the trail again just after the marker (5)

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bramioul
bramioul

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A magnificent hike. If you have a GPS, don't hesitate to use the track. Otherwise, you may need to search a little at times, but nothing insurmountable. On my GPS, it was just over 14 km.

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OURS31
OURS31

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike that alternates between different landscapes and passages between shade and sun.
The map route is accurate. For those who need more details, here are a few observations:
- Point 2 can be confusing: the path to take is simply the one furthest to the left...
- Point 3 refers to a stream that is not visible because it is "dry". Simply take the first forest path that climbs to the right, just before a nearly 90° left turn.
- Further on, the path on the right in the forest is relatively visible, but it is more than 200 metres away rather than 100 metres
- At the end of the route, you have to search a little for the grassy path, but it's nothing insurmountable.
- According to my GPS watch, the route is 14.6 km long

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