Route des Puyolles

This is a beautiful family circular on the heights of the village of Montgaillard. It will allow you to discover beautiful views of the Tarbes plain and the Haut-Adour valley, with the Pic du Midi de Bigorre and Montaigu as a backdrop!
As you climb up to an ancient Roman oppidum, follow historic paths or stroll through the village streets, you will also get a glimpse of the region's past.

Details

28397943
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.92 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 163 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 162 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 598 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 439 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The starting point is in front of the town hall in Montgaillard. There are a few parking spaces near the playground. There is also a water point and a bus stop nearby.

(S/E) From the town hall, walk up Rue de la Coustète, then at the end of the street turn right into Rue du Château to go around the church.

(1) Then turn right onto Chemin des Puyolles, which climbs above the village.

(2) At the next intersection, take the hairpin turn to the left and continue climbing towards the hillside.

(3) At the top of the hill, opposite a small house, make a short round trip up the mound to the orientation table to enjoy the view of the plain on one side and the hills on the other.

(3) Continue along the main path (west) until you reach a T-junction. Then go up to the left until you reach the crossroads by the tree.

(4) Turn left and go downhill. Ignore a path coming from the right and continue downhill. Continue along a small road.

(5) At the T-junction, turn left. At a triangular crossroads, turn right. Cross Chemin de l'Église on the left-hand side and turn right at the next junction. Continue downhill to the town hall (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 439 m - Montgaillard Town Hall
  2. 1 : km 0.46 - alt. 457 m - Chemin des Puyolles junction
  3. 2 : km 1.08 - alt. 511 m - Fork in the road
  4. 3 : km 1.84 - alt. 592 m - Access to the orientation table. - Table d'orientation des Puyolles
  5. 4 : km 2.81 - alt. 583 m - Crossroads of the tree
  6. 5 : km 4.43 - alt. 458 m - T-junction
  7. S/E : km 4.92 - alt. 439 m - Montgaillard Town Hall

Notes

Water point in front of the town hall.

Worth a visit

The route offers beautiful views of Montgaillard and a glimpse into the past of the village, dominated by the Church of Saint-Hilaire, which is built on an ancient feudal mound. The route starts near the Pont du Diable bridge over the Adour river, passes near the old Cagots district and in front of two old wash houses on the way back.

The path climbs the hillside of Les Puyolles, which has been occupied since ancient times: the orientation table is located on a tumulus that was occupied in prehistoric times and later converted into an oppidum by the Romans (remains of Roman amphorae and pottery have been found there). Oppida such as Les Puyolles were fortified by earthworks (embankments and ditches) in sites that were naturally protected by their isolation. At the top and throughout the hike, the views of the Pyrenees, the Adour valley and the Tarbes plain are superb.

The Chemin des Puyolles, which provides access to the hillside, is part of the ancient Roman road that linked Toulouse to Dax via the towns of the Pyrenean foothills. The Chemin des Cassoulets, which you take on the way down, is the old local road that linked Montgaillard to Loucrup.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Marine D
Marine D

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 22, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk in beautiful weather. No signposts, but the route is very easy to follow with GPS tracking and the trail. We did this walk with a 6-month-old baby in a baby carrier. The view of the mountains is very pretty.

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alexe.campana
alexe.campana

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, easy 1.5-hour hike with stunning views of the Pyrenees.
It is not very busy, ideal for dogs.

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Serou
Serou

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very easy and enjoyable walk. Beautiful houses in Montgaillard, superb views (including the most beautiful 360° view at point no. 4) and, as a bonus, a good chestnut harvest. I recommend it without reservation.

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CHEREAU PATRICK
CHEREAU PATRICK

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Fortunately, the map and route description were well done, because the markings are undoubtedly faded or practically non-existent.
Frequented or not, it's impossible to answer that question honestly...

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DEFLANDRE
DEFLANDRE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, a little tough at the start because of the climb!
But the view is exceptional! Definitely worth doing...

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Manote65
Manote65

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant and easy route. Beautiful viewpoint.

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Marianne et Heidi
Marianne et Heidi

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The GPS was useful, as there were many junctions. A lovely, peaceful walk, although the bad weather prevented us from enjoying the views.

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LAPOUGE franc
LAPOUGE franc

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very easy and pleasant hike, perfect for children.
A pleasant hike, without any difficulties, offering beautiful panoramic views and pretty houses in the village.

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PATRICE31800
PATRICE31800

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello, everyone.
We went hiking in beautiful weather. It was a very pleasant walk with magnificent views and pretty houses in the village. The description of the hike was very well explained, with a historical overview! Thank you for sharing.

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