La Tête d'Âne, between plain and mountain

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This hike is accessible to all, on a perfectly maintained trail which, after an hour's walk, will take you to the small summit of Tête d'Âne. There, you will enjoy a breathtaking view to the south of the highest peaks of Couserans: Valier, Maubermé and Mail de Bulard. To the north, a completely different spectacle awaits you, as in good weather you can see the plain of Saint-Girons all the way to Lescure. A striking contrast between plain and mountain.

Details

n°1476217
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.95 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 266 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 266 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 817 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 571 m
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Photos

Barn
During the descent
Le Valier
The summit

Description of the walk

Road access: From Saint-Girons, take the D3 towards Lacourt and Massat. Then turn left towards Rivèrenert (D33) about 4 km after leaving Saint-Girons. Next, turn left at a barn, after 3 km on the D33, towards Aulussat, Le Touron and Soum. Then take the second right turn towards Le Touron. Drive through the hamlet of Aulussat and 300 m further on, park in a hairpin bend on the right where you will see the information board for the start of the hike.

(S/E) Cross the road and follow the signs for "La Tête d'Âne" on the path marked by numerous cairns. You will soon reach an intersection.

(1) Turn sharply left, following the clearly visible sign. You will reach another intersection after about fifteen minutes.

(2) Continue straight ahead, ignoring the very steep path that descends to your right. There is no risk of getting lost, as another signpost indicates the correct direction. You will arrive at Col du Pla de Jamou.

(3) Turn right, following the signpost at this intersection. Continue along the ridge path to reach the summit, marked by a large cairn and a sign indicating the altitude and name of the peak.

(4) Begin your return journey by retracing your steps to reach the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 571 m - Car park - Signpost at the start of the hike
  2. 1 : km 0.14 - alt. 599 m - Fork in the road
  3. 2 : km 0.81 - alt. 675 m - Ruined building
  4. 3 : km 1.39 - alt. 760 m - Pla de Jamou
  5. 4 : km 1.98 - alt. 816 m - La Tête d'Ane
  6. S/E : km 3.95 - alt. 571 m - Car park - Signpost at the start of the hike

Notes

This newly renovated and signposted route by the municipality of Encourtiech follows an existing trail. From the Pla de Jamou pass, the trail that climbs the final ridge has been recently created. This route is maintained by the Couserans Pyrénées community of municipalities. The recent markings are very visible and reinforced by a large number of cairns. There is no risk of getting lost. You may occasionally encounter a herd of cattle on the final section, so please keep your dogs on a leash.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
LeKrik
LeKrik
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant little walk, shaded at the start and more exposed further on.
The view from the top is lovely and unique, and truly deserves its description as being between the mountains and the countryside.

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massat09
massat09

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful route through the woods. It's a shame that there was no shade at the summit to enjoy it for longer. Worth doing again in autumn or spring.

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jclaude31
jclaude31

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk. The directions are mainly useful for locating yourself on the map, as there are signposts along the entire route.

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micos3170
micos3170

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant short walk with an added bonus at the start: walking sticks available for purchase!

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cdeveze
cdeveze

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 29, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
We went to La Tête d'Âne via the signposted path, which was well maintained and clearly marked.
The view of the snow-covered Vallier is magnificent.
Rather than retracing our steps, we continued eastwards and then northwards, where we found a path (before the turn-off to Gay) that led us to point 3.
We then headed due west to Cap de Garrié (signs marked T.G. all along a site that was unfortunately recently burned) and then descended to Le Coch via a new, well-marked path. We made a short detour to go around the ruins of a castle in Encourtiech (end of the "cami deth Casteth" or castle path) and returned via the D603 road (3.5 km of tarmac but no traffic) to the starting point in Aulussat, where we met a charming lady and her grandson.
Many thanks to her husband, who maintains the route and signposts for this very pleasant 10 km circular route, which took us 4½ hours, including a picnic.

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