Crête d’Esplas – Crête de la Calvière from Goulier

This hike is suitable for walkers who know how to use the app and are observant of their surroundings. Most of the route follows paths marked on the map, but these are often difficult to spot. There are no signposts from the Col de Grail onwards; however, some sections remain clearly visible and provide reassurance regarding the route. Do not attempt this hike if there is a risk of fog or after rain, as the descent into the gispet could prove very difficult. Otherwise, there are remarkable views of the Pique d’Endron, Vicdessos, the Pic des Trois Seigneur, Montcalm and others...

Details

n°99954434

Creation:
19 Jun 2026

Last update:
today

Last review:
–

Activity: Walking
Distance: 8.83 mi
Average duration: 6h 30
Difficulty: Difficult
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 2,822 ft
Descent: - 2,828 ft
Highest point: 6,135 ft
Lowest point: 3,589 ft

Country: France
Area: Pyrenees
City: Goulier (09220)
Start/End: N 42.754723° / E 1.504562°
IGN map(s): Ref. 2047ET, 2148OT, 2148OTR
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Description of the walk

On arrival at Vicdessos, take the D208 and park in the car park above the stopover lodge.

(S/E) Retrace your steps, then turn right straight away to follow the GR®10 towards the Col de Grail. You’ll reach a forest track at the Col de Grisoul.

(1) Cross this, heading to the right, then rejoin the GR® to the left. The path runs along the hillside, below the Crête d’Esplas, cuts across the forest track you crossed earlier, and reaches an inverted Y-junction.

(2) Turn left at the hairpin bend and head back up the GR®10 to reach the Col de l’Esquérus.

(3) Turn right, staying on the GR® 10, and rejoin the forest track.

(4) Follow this to the right, travelling almost along the contour line, to reach the Col de Grail.

(5) Take the level track to the right (Pique d’Endron) and follow it for about a hundred metres.

(6) Turn right onto a very faintly marked path, climbing through a forest of beech and fir trees, to reach the small pass at the start of the Crête de la Calvière.

(7) Look out for a cairn on the left marking the start of a fairly well-marked path, despite being trodden by livestock.

(8) Pass a few orris, continue up the ridge to reach a well-marked track – in fact, the one abandoned shortly after the Col de Grail: a possible alternative route.

(9) Follow this track to the right for about 350 m.

(10) Take a well-marked track to the right along the contour line and reach a Fork in the road.

(11) Follow the path down the ridge to a path junction: metal post

(12) Follow the path opposite, along the Esplas ridge.

(13) Continue straight on to the anemometer.

(14) Retrace your steps.

(13) Turn right onto the path – which is very poorly marked – leading to the Esplas paragliding launch site. Follow several hairpin bends until you reach the access road to the Goulier Neige ski resort (D208).

(15) Head down to the right until you reach a place called Pragude.

(16) Take the path on the left, towards Goulier. Carefully cross the D208 just before a hairpin bend, and rejoin it further down. Head right until you reach the nearby junction.

(17) Head uphill, slightly to the right, to reach the spring and the cup-marked menhir.

(18) Retrace your steps.

(17) Turn right onto Rue du Carraziel and rejoin the GR®10. Turn right, then left, following the GR® to climb back up to the D208, and head for the car park on the right (S/E).