From Escaladieu Abbey to Mauvezin Castle

A walk steeped in local history. Starting at a 12th-century Cistercian abbey, a pleasant path leads to the 14th-century Château de Mauvezin de Gaston Phébus. Take a break on this rocky outcrop, which offers remarkable 360° views. The return to the abbey follows a downhill path through the woods.

Details

1729817
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.92 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 276 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 277 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 533 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 307 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at Escaladieu Abbey.

(S/E) On the road, turn left towards the bridge over the Arros and, before the bridge, take the path on the right. Cross a stream and follow the path opposite that runs alongside the river before climbing into the forest. Continue along this path until you reach a small paved road.

(1) Turn left and continue along this small road through the village of Bonnemazon. At the crossroads (altitude 330 m), turn left onto the road that descends towards the river.

(2) Before the bridge, take the path on the right until you reach the junction with a path that crosses the Arros. Turn left to cross the bridge and follow this paved road until you reach the junction with a path on the right. Take the path opposite you until you reach the ford over the Garravet stream.

(3) A few metres of slightly challenging terrain along the stream before taking the path on firmer ground. Stay on this steeply sloping path until you reach the road leading to the village of Mauvezin. This path is not shown on the IGN map but is shown on OSM Trails.

(4) Take the road on the right uphill through the village of Mauvezin. At the crossroads, take the small road on the ridge that leads to the castle and keepers' castle of Gaston Phébus. Leave the castle on your right and, at the end of the road, take the path downhill to the right, heading north, until you reach the crossroads. Then take the wide path on your left until the next crossroads.

(5) Turn left onto the downhill path, which gradually becomes a trail that winds through the woods. Be sure to stay on thePR® trail, which is not always well marked. Continue down the trail until you reach the road on the plain that runs alongside the Arros.

(6) Take the road on the left towards Escaladieu until you reach the crossroads in the village.

(7) Turn right and continue on the D938 road, passing the bridge over the Arros with caution, and follow the abbey to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 308 m - Escaladieu Abbey car park
  2. 1 : km 1.37 - alt. 353 m - Road on the left
  3. 2 : km 1.84 - alt. 313 m - Take the path on the right before the bridge
  4. 3 : km 2.76 - alt. 323 m - Fording
  5. 4 : km 3.61 - alt. 489 m - Turn right towards Mauvezin
  6. 5 : km 4.64 - alt. 510 m - Crossroads, road downhill to the left
  7. 6 : km 6.81 - alt. 316 m - Exit the trail and take the road on the left
  8. 7 : km 7.25 - alt. 324 m - L'Escaladieu, on the right
  9. S/E : km 7.92 - alt. 308 m - Escaladieu Abbey car park

Notes

Between points (3) and (4), the climb to the castle is relatively steep.

Worth a visit

Escaladieu Abbey.
Mauvezin Castle, owned by Gaston Phébus.

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.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 33 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
ChristianQ
ChristianQ

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 22, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent, varied hike with a good climb to get you in shape, and a picnic at the foot of Mauvezin Castle with views of the Pyrenees...
Not to be missed

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Patgob66
Patgob66

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, but not to be done in hot weather. Follow the GPS carefully in the forest when descending from the castle. I recommend visiting the castle and the abbey

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User 26551934

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice route, ideal in hot weather thanks to the wooded areas. The only downside is the sections on the road.

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jjd64290
jjd64290

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

a beautiful walk, especially in the forest. Be careful, even in the middle of summer the ground is muddy in some places...

The start at the abbey and the passage through the castle are two moments where you can appreciate the beautiful architecture. Plan your visits if you have time.

The walk is very peaceful; we didn't meet anyone else even though it was the middle of summer.

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Angélique65
Angélique65
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello everyone,
A very nice hike, which took two hours, with a beautiful view of the Baronnies at the top of this famous climb through the woods (great for working your thighs).
The weather was overcast, so there was no view of the Pic, but I would still advise against doing this route in the sun!
No particular problems with the signposting.
Angélique and Perrine

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Kris65
Kris65

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with magnificent views of the Pic du Midi. The first part in the forest is not maintained, so it was time to get back on the road! The arrival at the castle is really nice, even if the climb through the woods is a bit long. The path behind the castle is superb, but then it's difficult to stay on track and find the right path. We got lost in the forest until we found the road again!

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Nath Madrid
Nath Madrid

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

It's a beautiful route through the forest! We recommend it... it's quite a climb but very cool, and you feel like you're travelling back in time to the Middle Ages! We didn't meet any other hikers! A beautiful hike!

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Jojobalse301045
Jojobalse301045

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello
a 3-hour hike with very little road and well-maintained trails
with beautiful views
i recommend it
Georges Balse

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montanini
montanini

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Hello, thank you for sharing and for the description (precise and accurate). The forest sections were very pleasant (for the descent, one section requires caution to stay on the recommended route) and the arrival at the castle offers a beautiful view of the surrounding area, among other things
Between the countryside and the mountains.
Thanks again.
Daniel

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janaser
janaser
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with varied landscapes and superb views of the Pic du Midi de Bigorre.

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grandonneur
grandonneur

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very good trail, suitable for children aged 7 and above. It requires minimal equipment (suitable footwear in particular). Depending on the season, crossing the stream may be difficult (risk of getting your shoes a little wet) but it is not dangerous.

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jdecor
jdecor

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful and enjoyable hike

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Ducamp Joel
Ducamp Joel

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

.

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Tèmis
Tèmis

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

A lot of driving, which is a shame.

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petitbob
petitbob

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Good evening, fellow travellers.
This is a beautiful region. With lots of great walks, you absolutely must visit the Château de Mauvezin, which is huge and has been beautifully restored thanks to the work of a very dynamic association. The Abbey of Escaladieu is superb, with a magnificent park. Multiple rooms with interactive exhibitions immerse us in the 11th century alongside the monks and their prayers and activities. The activities are extremely informative. It's a great way to combine sport and education.
Truly magnificent. petitbob.

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