From Goulier to the resort via the ridges and woods

de fr

A lovely circular walk starting from Goulier, passing through the ski resort and following theGR®10.

Details

n°3020117
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.06 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,667 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,657 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,833 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,642 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐
    Area: Pyrenees
  • ⚐ City: Goulier (09220)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 42.754688° / E 1.504713°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2047ET, 2148OT, 2148OTR
  • Hour-by-hour weather
    Discover Visorando Premium
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Goulier
Goulier Neige
Pass
Risoul Pass

Description of the walk

Start from the car park on the road running alongside the town, the ski resort road.

(S/E) Head north to join theGR®10and begin the ascent.

(1) On reaching the Col de Risoul, turn right onto the forest track,the GR®10, which runs alongside the forest road. The track is flat.

(2) Continue straight ahead on theGR®10B, heading south-west.

(3) Join the D 208 local road, continuing along theGR®10B.

(4) Before reaching the resort car park (elevation 1,463), take a path on the far left to climb towards the Pic du Besset.

(5) Enjoy the 360° view. Follow the ridge.

(6) Turn right onto a path leading down towards the top of the ski run.

(7) Walk down the piste to return to the foot of the resort, keeping the Nam ski lift on your left.

(8) Continue left along theGR®10Bthrough the forest. Cross the Ruisseau de Goulier.

(9) Take a moment to admire the view at the boundary marker, before turning right onto theGR®10to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,661 ft - Goulier car park. Road to the ski resort
  2. 1 : mi 0.72 - alt. 4,344 ft - To the right. GR10 - Col de Risoul (1320m)
  3. 2 : mi 1.56 - alt. 4,646 ft - Junction: GR10 – GR10B – PR – Ski run
  4. 3 : mi 2.16 - alt. 4,636 ft - D 208. GR10B
  5. 4 : mi 2.5 - alt. 4,770 ft - Turn left. Leave the GR10B
  6. 5 : mi 3.26 - alt. 5,656 ft - Viewpoint. Ridge
  7. 6 : mi 3.52 - alt. 5,735 ft - Turn right towards the top of the ski run
  8. 7 : mi 4.04 - alt. 5,778 ft - Keep right, with the Nam ski lift on your left
  9. 8 : mi 4.73 - alt. 4,852 ft - Left. GR10B
  10. 9 : mi 7.42 - alt. 4,619 ft - Junction. Turn right. GR10
  11. S/E : mi 9.06 - alt. 3,652 ft - Goulier car park. Road to the ski resort

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.

Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5
Based on 3 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
marc1234
marc1234

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Between points 4 and 5, I found this walk not difficult but DANGEROUS:

- at this point, the path winds its way up a slope with a gradient of approximately 45° to 50° and a height of 200 to 250 metres
- this slope is entirely covered in long grass and low-growing bushes
=> In my opinion, there is a high risk that if you slip, you will not come to a halt until you reach the line of trees at the very bottom of the slope… especially as this vegetation retains moisture very well, which ‘enhances’ the sliding

Furthermore:
- this path has probably not been maintained for years. The vegetation, on both the mountain side and the ravine side, has reduced the usable width to the width of a shoe…
- the edge of the path on the ravine side is not visible, as it is obscured by vegetation. But if you step onto this vegetation, you’ll quickly realise that there is, underneath it, … nothing

I should point out that we sometimes walk along paths that run alongside cliffs…
This particular path isn’t any more dangerous than that.
The point I wanted to make is that this path is TRICKY!!!

Apart from that:
- the view from the top is superb
- we didn’t see a single tick, but we were bitten by horseflies on the way down (to the point where we had to speed up considerably to get rid of them)

All in all:
- we certainly won’t be doing this walk again, because of the danger
- I strongly advise against it! If you want to enjoy the view, start the walk in the other direction and retrace your steps without going through sections 4–5!

Machine-translated

gazok54
gazok54 ★

Thank you, yannevelynesjgccav.
Not even a few words about this walk?

Machine-translated

yannevelynesjgccav
yannevelynesjgccav

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Xxxx

Machine-translated

entropiek
entropiek

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A really lovely walk; the whole GR section through the woods (i.e. the bit below the ski resort) is magnificent. Only the climb from the ski resort was a bit of a nuisance between 1,400 and 1,600 metres; we picked up lots of ticks of all sizes in the grass, so you need to check your legs very regularly to remove them before they latch on.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Crête d’Esplas – Crête de la Calvière from Goulier

Visorando Member
↔8.83 mi ↗+2,822 ft ↘-2,828 ft ◔6h 30 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Goulier (Ariège)
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...

Walking The Pic du Sarrasi and Pic du Garbié – Col de Grailet and Col de Risoul from Goulier

Visorando Member
Le Pic du Sarrasi et du Garbié - Col de Grailet et de Risoul depuis Goulier
↔9.25 mi ↗+3,885 ft ↘-3,862 ft ◔7h 40 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Goulier (Ariège)
Second day of a three-day trip (August 2023) starting from Vicdessos (Val de Sos). A challenging hike at the start. From (2) to (8), gradient 30%, distance 3 km, elevation gain 1000 m. After (6), the stunning scenery makes the effort required to reach the Crête du Sarrasi (8) well worth it. From this high vantage point, a lovely descent follows, with stunning views throughout. From the Col de Grail (13), the return journey via theGR®10is much more comfortable. Please note: the section from (6) to (12) is exposed.

Walking La Soulane de Vicdessos

Visorando Member
↔7.99 mi ↗+1,457 ft ↘-1,447 ft ◔4h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Vicdessos (Ariège)
As its name suggests, the hike takes place on the southern slope and on the heights of Vicdessos. You will take an old, entirely paved road to reach the village of Illier with its interesting narrow streets, then follow a balcony path through a forest of boxwood, cherry, oak, acacia and hazelnut trees to the village of Orus. From there, the landscape opens up onto a safe path built on the mountainside, offering beautiful views as you reach the village of Sentenac, from where you will return partly via the D18. All these roads and paths are built on foundations that bear witness to civil engineering skills in terms of their volume and position.

Walking Circular Bège ridges from Vicdessos

Visorando Member
↔6.81 mi ↗+1,811 ft ↘-1,801 ft ◔4h 45 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Vicdessos (Ariège)
This hike is for experienced hikers who are comfortable using the app, as it takes place on unmarked roads and trails until the junction with the GR® Tour des Trois Seigneurs at the highest point of the Crêtes de Bège. The trails are old but still easily identifiable and easy to follow. However, you will need to be in good physical condition as there is a significant elevation gain over a relatively short distance. You will also need to be able to identify the best routes when you reach the rocky part of the ridge. From there, you will discover exceptional 360° panoramic views. The return journey, which is not particularly difficult, follows the GR® trail.

Walking The Mine Trail

Tourist office
Le Chemin de la Mine
↔3.71 mi ↗+1,122 ft ↘-1,138 ft ◔2h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Vicdessos (Ariège)
The mining trail winds its way through the woods around the delightful Sem valley. Follow in the footsteps of the former miners of Rancié and discover the past.

Walking The Chemin du Minier in Sem

Visorando Member
Le Chemin du Minier à Sem
↔6.17 mi ↗+1,749 ft ↘-1,749 ft ◔4h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Sem (Ariège)
A magnificent circular route through the forest with numerous information panels along the route, offering welcome breaks during the tough climb and breathtaking panoramic views. With two must-see sights, the Refuge de Grail (closed) and the Col de Grisoul! This short but steep hike in the Vicdessos valley reveals an important part of the mining history of the Ariège. Here, in the heart of the mountains, the Mines du Rancié began with modern open-pit iron ore extraction at an altitude of over 1,500 metres, before more and more tunnels were dug, descending ever deeper! Connected to each other, they saved many lives during the frequent rockfalls that led to their permanent closure in 1931, despite the fact that the deposit was far from exhausted.

Walking Col de Risoul and Rancié Mines circular.

Visorando Member
Col de Risoul et mines du Rancié en boucle.
↔5.66 mi ↗+1,680 ft ↘-1,667 ft ◔4h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Sem (Ariège)
A beautiful route alternating between beech forests, stunning views of the Os Valley and old iron mines, starting from the small village of Sem, above Vicdessos. Best done in dry, clear weather.

Walking Pique d'Endron

Visorando Member
Pique d'Endron
↔5.00 mi ↗+3,238 ft ↘-3,238 ft ◔5h 05 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Goulier (Ariège)
The Pique d'Endron, which can be seen majestically from Goulier, is located on a ridge separating the Siguer and Vicdessos valleys. Magnificent viewpoint with a 360° panorama of all the great peaks around, and below, the Étangs d'Izourt and Gnioure lakes.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.