Étang de Bethmale via the Col d'Eliet

Don’t fancy just doing the Étang de Bethmale and would rather do a circular route? This route to the lake via the Col d’Eliet is perfect for you.

Details

12860752
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.53 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 736 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 735 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,722 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,054 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the Col de la Core car park.

(S/E) Take a path (GR®10D) that descends below, to the right of the signposts, and begin a gentle descent through the forest. You’ll soon reach the road, which you follow for a few hundred metres.

(1) Leave the road and follow the path on the left which joins theGR®10D. Continue to the Étang de Bethmale.

(2) Turn right to go round it and rejoin the marked path on the other side.

(3) Take a sharp right-hand bend to begin a winding climb up to the Route Forestière du Mount Ner. Follow it uphill, taking care as some vehicles may pass. Join theGR®10D(red and white markings).

(4) Turn left: the climb is steeper up to the Col d’Eliet and can be slippery in wet weather. Watch out for narrow passages between large rocks. Continue to the Col d’Eliet shelter.

(5) Continue south on the path, which leads through open countryside where a few sheepdogs may be herding flocks during the summer. Join theGR®10heading due east.

(6) Ignore the path on the right leading to the Étang d'Eychelle and keep left on theGR®10. Begin the descent to return to the Col de la Core (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,394 m - Car park - Col de la Corse (1395m)
  2. 1 : km 1.7 - alt. 1,161 m - Path on the left
  3. 2 : km 3.69 - alt. 1,072 m - Lac de Bethmane
  4. 3 : km 4.5 - alt. 1,120 m - Junction, right
  5. 4 : km 7 - alt. 1,414 m - Junction GR®10D
  6. 5 : km 8.25 - alt. 1,675 m - Col d'Eliet (1683m)
  7. 6 : km 8.89 - alt. 1,714 m - Étang d'Eychelle junction
  8. S/E : km 11.53 - alt. 1,393 m - Return to the car park - Col de la Corse (1395m)

Notes

Some sections can be very slippery in damp weather or after rain. Trekking poles are a good idea!
Dogs must be kept on a lead or in a dog harness in the mountain pasture areas.

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

4.7 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
bOUZOUBZH
bOUZOUBZH

Hello,
Thank you. I’ll try to ask the locals.
Have a nice day

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tegon
tegon

Good evening,
During my hike to the peaks above the Col d’Auédole on 26 June 2024, there were no herds on that route, but I don’t know about today (particularly near the Col d’Eliet hut). Perhaps also when approaching the Col de la Core. However, there were some near the pond and the Echeylle huts.
Have a good evening

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bOUZOUBZH
bOUZOUBZH

Hello,
Could you tell me if this route passes near the mountain pastures? I have a dog and I wouldn’t want to find myself in a tricky situation with the herding dogs.
Thank you

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tegon
tegon

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

As mentioned earlier, if you’re coming from Castillon-en-Couserans, it’s best to start the hike from Lake Bethmale; this avoids the climb up to the Col de la Core, and you’ll also start with the ascents and finish the hike with the descents.
Also, the start of the GR10D at the Col de la Core towards Lake Bethmale is not signposted, so take care to find the right path.
A beautiful route, partly through snow, icy in the shade and soft around the Col d’Eliet and Col d’Auèdole.
Beautiful snow-covered landscapes and well-marked tracks in the snow; impossible to go wrong.
I met about twenty hikers near the D’Eliet hut and the Col d’Auèdole.

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zestedecitron
zestedecitron

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, shaded route that can be enjoyed in summer without any trouble
It is also possible to set off directly from the lake to avoid driving up to the pass.

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patou09
patou09

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A great hike, a lovely route through the forest,
Just a quick note: at the start of the walk, there are no signs indicating the start of the route
you tend to follow the main path, whereas the walk doesn’t start there. You really need to take the path below, which is the second path on the right from the start of the walk.
A lovely reward at the end;

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xlaborde
xlaborde

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

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Tenzig11250
Tenzig11250

Hike coming up

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