Cap de Garrié

de fr

A viewpoint overlooking the neighbouring villages at your feet. Full view of the remains of the viscount's castle during the climb. At the summit, the Couserans Pyrenees stretch out before your eyes. A 300-metre climb on a well-marked, brand new footpath created in 2021 by the municipality of Encourtiech offers you a breath of fresh air in a splendid landscape.

Details

n°6236210
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.73 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 298 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 298 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 855 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 557 m
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Photos

On the way up
At the summit
A breath of fresh air
Flowers galore

Description of the walk

On leaving Saint-Girons, take the D3 towards Lacourt and Massat. About 3 km after the Saint-Girons exit sign, turn left towards Encourtiech. A sign also indicates the direction of the "Cap de Garrié" car park 2 km away. When you reach the hamlet of Le Coch, turn left towards the Cap de Garrié car park 400 m away. Park near the hiking information sign, if possible in a herringbone pattern to save as much space as possible.

The start is located about ten metres downstream from the information sign, where you will find the first markers.

(S/E) At the information board, head east and follow the first signpost for "Cap du Garrié".

(1) Shortly afterwards, turn right, leave the main path and start a steep climb, following the markings. Keep heading east and follow several hairpin bends.

(2) Cut across the "Tour du Garrié" route and follow the "Cap de Garrié" signs to the right. The slope becomes steeper. Enter the scree and reach the summit.

(3) The descent is via the same route, in the opposite direction, to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 557 m - Cap de Garrié car park
  2. 1 : km 0.1 - alt. 578 m - Turn right at the fork.
  3. 2 : km 1.24 - alt. 820 m - Crossroads with the "Tour du Garrié" trail.
  4. 3 : km 1.36 - alt. 855 m - Croix du Garrié ( Tombée à terre )
  5. S/E : km 2.73 - alt. 557 m - Cap de Garrié car park

Notes

At the start of this hike, there is a car park with space for around 10 vehicles.
For the more curious, on your return, you can stop 400 metres below to visit the ruins of the castle you overlooked during the climb. Access is signposted. The tour of the ruins follows a footpath on a perfectly maintained site. If you forgot to bring a snack with you to the summit, there are picnic tables available under the ramparts.

Worth a visit

There are a few steep slopes during the first quarter of an hour. After that, the slope becomes much gentler.
You will quickly rise above the Lacourt and Nert valleys and soon find yourself overlooking the green landscape around the Salat river, which winds its way below. During the first part of the climb, there are breathtaking views of the ramparts of the Château d'Encourtiech and the town of Saint-Girons.
You may sometimes see red kites flying overhead, as they have made this slope their hunting ground.
The last fifteen metres of the climb are mainly on rock, where you may need to use your hands, but there are no technical difficulties or exposed sections. You just need to be a little more careful on this last part.
At the summit, there is a 360° view stretching from the plain to the north to the Couserans peaks bordering Spain to the south.
At a glance, you can see the Bishops' Palace of Saint-Lizier and the 2,850-metre Mont Vallier. A feeling of immensity...

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 8 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
paulinegad
paulinegad

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A fairly short round trip, a little steep in places but very pleasant, quite short and the view between the plain and the peaks is well worth it.

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cumengej
cumengej
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very good description. Excellent signposting.
At point 4, you can make a round trip to Tête d'âne, another magnificent viewpoint (add an extra 60 m of elevation gain).

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sophiepatrick.campe
sophiepatrick.campe

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Well done on rebuilding the cross, magnificent view of St Girons.

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Vendinielle
Vendinielle
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This route is a wonderful initiative. The path is steep but comfortable, even downhill – except for the very end, as indicated on the sign at the start. There are lots of flowers in May, mainly blue and yellow. Thank you for adding this new feature to the Visorando website.

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Amarette
Amarette

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

information: the Garrié cross is no longer visible from the headland as shown on the map and is currently being repaired.

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sophiepatrick.campe
sophiepatrick.campe

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Many thanks to the municipality of Encourtiech for this new route and the car park.
You can do a route by first taking the Garrié route in reverse (which you reach via a very quiet road) and then coming back down this new path with the landscape in front of you.
You also overlook the former Job paper mill and the Soum Mallet quarry.

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lecervin
lecervin

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A short, easy, well-marked route with a lovely view and pretty cairns at the summit. We returned via the TG
(Tour du Garrié) via the hunters' hut.

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Ced06
Ced06
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route, which climbs quite steeply. Perhaps best avoided when it is too hot. Very beautiful views of the Pyrenees all along the way. The summit offers a magnificent panorama.

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