Turguilla Valley, Pic Séron, Étang d'Aubé, Col de Cerda circular loop

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A very beautiful circular hike to do in good weather. There are a few passages with cables and iron ladders, but they are not particularly difficult. The markings are sometimes unclear. This is a hike to be done at a leisurely pace, taking time to observe the flora and fauna. Allow for 7 hours rather than the average time automatically calculated.

Details

n°37109037
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.03 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 765 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 764 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,475 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,806 m
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Photos

Étang d'Aubé
Panorama on the way up to Pic de Seron
Étang de l'Astoues
Chamois in the rock formations

Description of the walk

Departure from the Cirque de Gérac car park.

(S/E) Cross the stream and take the track to the south-west that climbs up towards the Vallée de Turguilla.

(1) Leave the track and take a horizontal path on the right, heading south, which leads to a tricky passage, marked by a sign, in a breach overlooked by a distinctive rock formation.

(2) Descend into the gap using the handrails and fixed crampons. Pass by a beautiful climbing school with stunning granite slabs. Continue south on an easy path to a second tricky passage on a slight descent overlooking the Turguilla Stream.

(3) Cross this passage using the handrails and the large black pipe that carries water to the Guzet-Neige resort. Find your way through the large boulders, starting by descending to the right.

(4) Leave a path on your right that crosses the stream and leads to the Étang de la Hilette.

(5) Arrive above the Étang de la Piède, which the path overlooks. The path is no longer particularly difficult.

(6) Pass above the Étang de l'Astoue. Without much difficulty, reach the Cabane de Turguilla, an unmanned refuge.

(7) Then begin a steep climb towards Pic de Séron on a path that is sometimes poorly marked. Reach Col de Séron.

(8) Discover the Étang d'Aubé lake below. Continue up a steep climb to Pic de Séron (altitude 2,489 metres).

(9) Descend back to the pass.

(8) Look for the path that descends north, then north-east towards the Étang d'Aubé lake. The descent is over large boulders, which can be uncomfortable at times, and the markings are sometimes unclear.

(10) Pass by a small unnamed pond and climb back up the path to the north. After a few rocky outcrops, continue eastwards. Pass close to the Étang d'Aubé.

(11) Then take a long path heading north-west, which climbs up to the Col de Cerda.

(12) Descend to the left, southwest, towards the Cirque de Gérac and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,814 m - Departure from Cirque de Gérac
  2. 1 : km 0.66 - alt. 1,884 m - Intersection
  3. 2 : km 0.87 - alt. 1,906 m - Tricky passage
  4. 3 : km 1.42 - alt. 1,917 m - Tricky passage
  5. 4 : km 1.44 - alt. 1,919 m - Intersection
  6. 5 : km 1.48 - alt. 1,914 m - Étang de la Piède
  7. 6 : km 2.03 - alt. 1,967 m - Étang de l'Astou
  8. 7 : km 2.91 - alt. 2,066 m - Cabane de Turguilla
  9. 8 : km 4.16 - alt. 2,422 m - Col de Séron
  10. 9 : km 4.3 - alt. 2,474 m - Pic de Séron
  11. 10 : km 5.13 - alt. 2,186 m - Small pond
  12. 11 : km 5.73 - alt. 2,106 m - Étang d'Aubé
  13. 12 : km 7.35 - alt. 1,971 m - Col de Cerda
  14. S/E : km 8.03 - alt. 1,814 m - Return to the Cirque de Gérac car park.

Notes

Access to the Cirque de Gérac from the Guzet-Neige resort is via a 30-minute track with a few potholes: vehicles with low clearance should refrain from using it.
Be careful when parking your vehicle so as not to encroach on areas reserved for livestock.
The markings are sometimes difficult to find, particularly on the climb to Pic de Séron and the descent to Étang d'Aubé.
This hike should be avoided in bad weather and fog.
Furthermore, at the Cabane de Turguilla, water has not been flowing from the pipe that tapped a spring upstream for several years: so bring enough water or a filter bottle.

Worth a visit

From the Cabane de Turguilla, you can also climb to the Étang de Réglisse (10 mins) due south, or to the Étang de la Crousette (20 mins) due east.
Birds of prey sometimes fly over the Col and Pic de Séron: griffon vultures, bearded vultures and black vultures: a delight for photographers who are brave enough to bring their cameras and telephoto lenses.
The ponds in the Turguilla Valley and the Aubé Pond are also well known to fishermen.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
nadineca
nadineca

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A long and technical hike despite the low elevation gain.
Lots of boulders. Be careful to follow the markings or the route. Only attempt if you are sure-footed.
Not suitable for children.

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JeffR
JeffR
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Be warned, from the Turguilla hut onwards, things get serious; the climb to the pass and the peak of Séron is tough, the descent to the Aubé lake is tricky, and the return to the Cerda pass is long and arduous. This is a demanding hike that is not recommended for beginners.

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TauLab
TauLab
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike in a high mountain setting with lots of rock formations. Be warned, however: it is over 10 km (not 8) and, as mentioned in other reviews, the descent is very difficult (almost no paths, just boulders all the way) and seems endless. The estimated duration is not realistic for most walkers (even experienced ones). Allow at least 5½ hours, or even 7 hours with children (not recommended for children under 12 without prior experience).
The markings are not easy to follow. Be particularly careful during the descent to the Aubé pond, at the small unnamed pool where the trail seems to continue downhill to the right, when you should continue straight ahead through the rock pile.
Another difficulty not mentioned: the return from the summit (9) is very steep on a slippery path and can be dangerous (walking sticks are strongly recommended).
Otherwise, it is a very beautiful hike, but you should start early so you are not caught off guard by the length of the trail!

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Gaël_Brest
Gaël_Brest

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike!
The sections with handrails are very safe, even though we did it in foggy conditions and I'm a bit scared of heights. (Be careful if you have a dog with you, though.)
The climb from Cabane de Turguilla to Pic Séron is a bit tough and the descent to Étang d'Aubé is a bit tiring. You have to be careful not to lose your way in these rocky areas...
But it's an absolutely wonderful walk!
The icing on the cake is that, even in the middle of August, we hardly saw anyone else.
I did this hike with my 14-year-old teenager.

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cavokdan
cavokdan
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, but one that requires a high level of effort and technical skill.
The tricky sections are manageable.
The climb to the peak of Séron is quite steep, but the reward is at the summit, where the view is splendid.
The critical point is the descent to the Aubé lake, which is difficult, even very difficult, and sometimes requires particular attention to follow the route.
Not recommended for novice hikers and, of course, only in good weather conditions.

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Jaxaki
Jaxaki

I'm glad you were able to enjoy this magnificent hike. The descent through the boulders is indeed quite tedious. I think the eagles you saw were actually vultures: eagles are territorial and solitary, while vultures fly in groups. As for the chamois, they are more likely to be izards. Kind regards

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CamG
CamG
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The first part of the hike was magnificent, including the entire climb to the peak of Séron. The 360-degree view was breathtaking, simply sublime. The ladders and ropes did not present any great difficulty.
However, the descent from the peak to Lake Aubé (points 9 to 11) slowed us down considerably. Although not difficult, the descent through endless boulders is quite arduous and seems to go on forever (it continues on the plateau to pass 12).
This rocky terrain slowed us down considerably; be aware that it took us 5 hours and 40 minutes, contrary to the estimated time given in the description.
The trail is well marked, with frequent markings and numerous cairns, but you have to pay attention because it is easy to stray from the route if you are not careful, as the field of boulders obscures the path.
In summary, it's a great climb that's well worth the detour, but the descent is a bit long.

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V.ENRANDO
V.ENRANDO

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful circular route, but be aware that the estimated time is for experienced walkers.

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