Mirabat Castle

de fr

Climb up to the ruined Mirabat Castle, where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Couserans mountain range with Mont Valier and the plain in the foreground.

Details

n°191443
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.08 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 522 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 518 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,243 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 726 m
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Photos

Snow in the forest
View of the Salat valley
View of Le Valier
Mirabat Castle

Description of the walk

Road access: from Oust, head towards the Chapelle du Puech, visible from the main road on the heights, and stay on this small road until you reach the hamlet of Patoubard. Drive through the hamlet and continue straight ahead to park in the car park on the left.

(S/E) Turn back and take the road on the left towards Mounetou.

(1) At a hairpin bend with an information sign about the castle, the path starts to the south-west. Go through a gate and follow the yellow markings as you climb between the box trees. There may be cows in these first meadows. Follow this well-marked path between the box trees, go through another gate and enter the beech forest.

(2) You will then come to a junction and take the path on the left (signposted). Follow this path which climbs through the forest in several hairpin bends. Pass over a steep valley and arrive at a ridge in a pasture.

(3) Then climb straight up to your left, pass between the box trees and go around the promontory to reach the ruins of Mirabat Castle.

(4). Enjoy the view! Return via the same route to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 726 m - Car park after the hamlet of Patoubard
  2. 1 : km 0.38 - alt. 755 m - Hairpin bend
  3. 2 : km 1.52 - alt. 975 m - Intersection
  4. 3 : km 3.34 - alt. 1,211 m - Ridge, pasture, turn left
  5. 4 : km 3.51 - alt. 1,243 m - Mirabat Castle
  6. S/E : km 7.08 - alt. 726 m - Car park after the hamlet of Patoubard

Notes

The area is used as sheep pasture, right up to the summit.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 18 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Jaxaki
Jaxaki

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A beautiful hike for a very hot day. The coolness of the forest is a delight in hot weather. However, don't set off too late as there aren't that many parking spaces. The view of Valier is magnificent and the information board at the start is very informative. No particular difficulties. Beautiful sunken path at the bottom. Groups should take care on the ledge path in the last third.

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bsolrol
bsolrol

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Taken in November, on a sunny Sunday, with a few groups of hikers from Toulouse who ended up taking up a lot of space at the summit... but a very pleasant hike in a beautiful forest. Only the part on the road is unnecessary. Beautiful view at the summit!

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marc24
marc24

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

I went in February outside of school holidays and it was easy to find the trail... But there are no signs pointing to 'Mirabat' from the road, so luckily some locals gave me directions... Once I reached the starting point, it was very easy... Nice view once you reach the top

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patou09
patou09

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

we even picked some mushrooms

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nicotom
nicotom

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike that can be a bit challenging for the calves at times. It takes place in the woods, and I must admit that given the heat, I appreciated the shade. There are some very pretty views in certain places, and the final view is magnificent, especially as I was lucky enough to have clear skies.

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lepiero
lepiero

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hiking on a very passable and wide path.
It climbs quite a bit in a short time.
The climb takes at least an hour at a brisk pace (but without running).
the view from the top is truly amazing, but the route itself is not particularly interesting.

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dadellaric
dadellaric

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very pleasant hike through a beautiful forest, the passage along the ridge is superb, and you quickly reach the summit at the castle with its 360° view and goats grazing peacefully a little further down. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The path is also very accessible, even with a baby in a baby carrier.

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math46
math46

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A beautiful trail through a beech forest. Gradual ascent.
At the summit, there is a 360-degree panorama with the Valier opposite!
I highly recommend it

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jean et chris de pujaou
jean et chris de pujaou

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 30, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

a very beautiful parish-specific to Brittany walk and a magnificent day... the view from the castle is splendid, definitely worth doing

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martagon
martagon

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 30, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

29.12.2019 On this winter day, the hike is well suited because the leaves have fallen and the view is exceptional over the Valiier and other snow-capped peaks
the trail is fairly well marked

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lecervin
lecervin

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 16, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We had a wonderful time! A beautiful hike on a lovely trail through a magnificent beech forest. Arriving at the castle is a wonderful reward, and the view is magnificent, especially when the sun is shining and the peaks are covered in snow.
There is a little snow on the trail above 1,000 metres. The time indicated on the information sheet is accurate if you walk at a leisurely pace.
there is a 550m elevation gain from the sign at the barrier.

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gauthier.clg
gauthier.clg

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The route passed through wooded areas completely overrun with caterpillars. Unfortunately, this was the case right from the start.
We had to turn back...

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midld
midld

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Low altitude, so it's hot!

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jdelzor
jdelzor

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Very nice climb.
Be careful on the path at the start of the field. I preferred to go straight across the meadow because I think the farmer spreads a lot of his animals' manure, especially at the bottom between the box trees.

Don't expect to find a castle, just a few ruins. The view is worth the detour.

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sck
sck

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 02, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very well-marked hike, best done on a fine day with a beautiful view from the castle. However, be careful when crossing the cow pasture as this section can quickly become muddy if it has rained beforehand.

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