From Col de Port to Cap de Carmil

A lovely walk starting from the Col de Port, with stunning views of the Pyrenees range: Mont Fourcat, Saint-Barthélémy, Montcalm, Pic d’Estats, Trois Seigneurs, Mont Vallier and, on a clear day, sometimes the Pic du Midi de Bigorre. The walk can be halved by turning back at the Pic de Razels.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.06 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,480 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,480 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 5,302 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 4,108 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Access the Col de Port car park via the D618 from Tarascon.

(S/E) Cross the D618 with care and take the path directly opposite heading due north to reach the ridge: a very steep, winding ascent.

(1) Turn left to follow the north-westerly path, which passes through a beautiful snow-covered forest in winter.

(2) Pass Sarrat des Sémalous and continue in the same direction. Reach the Pic de Razels: magnificent 360° views of the Pyrenees mountain range and the Garonne plain.

(3) Continue along the path, which slopes westwards. Reach the Cap de Carmil: a stunning view, identical to that from the Pic de Razels, with the added bonus of a view of the village of Massat.

(4) Follow the ascent route in the opposite direction to return to the Col de Port car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 4,108 ft - Col de Port
  2. 1 : mi 0.78 - alt. 5,036 ft - Crossing on the ridge
  3. 2 : mi 1.64 - alt. 4,941 ft - Sarrat des Sémalous
  4. 3 : mi 2.1 - alt. 5,220 ft - Pic de Razels (1600 m)
  5. 4 : mi 3.53 - alt. 5,302 ft - Cap du Carmil (1605m)
  6. S/E : mi 7.06 - alt. 4,108 ft - Col de Port

Notes

Bring snowshoes (or crampons) during the winter months as there may still be patches of icy, slippery snow.
There is no water or mountain hut along the route.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 2 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Paul-Toulouse
Paul-Toulouse

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Easy hike after the first climb, beautiful view from the Carmil pass

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tegon
tegon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I set off on the hike at 9 am wearing a fleece, a hat and gloves.
There was a light dusting of snow on the first climb up to the ridge; the temperature was below freezing and I could just make out the sun peeking through the clouds.
The path is well marked and clear (red and yellow markings)
There were a few patches of snow in the forest after the ridge.
At the summit of Razels and at Cap de Carmil, the sun broke through and there was a lovely view of the Pyrenees.
The temperatures were better on the way back.
The round trip took 5½ hours, not including a picnic. The various ascents and descents presented no particular difficulties, and the winding climb up to the ridge is relatively easy.
I came across five walkers and there were about 40 cars parked at the pass.
A lovely walk to do when the weather is good.

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