The orchid trail in Simorre

The path climbs towards the high hills of Astarac, crosses the Bois d'Aguin and is embellished with wild orchids in season.

Details

292027
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.65 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 245 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 248 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 308 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 196 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) Start from the car park along the road in front of the town hall, heading south. Cross the crossroads and, 20 metres further on, take the path on the left, which widens into a track and leads to a road that you take on the right.

(1) Cross the D12, continue straight ahead for 250 m, turn right then left (for 2 km) onto a path that climbs towards the En Saubet farm. At the end of the path, turn left.

(2) Turn right onto the dirt track that descends towards La Lauze, cross the ford, cut across the D283 and continue straight ahead. Cross the Bois d'Aguin for 1.5 km.

(3) At the stone marker, turn right until you reach the Béros farm, follow a deer park to reach a paved road, turn slightly right to join the D129.

(4) Take it on the left for 200 m, turn right onto a local road, 300 m after a bend, turn left onto a path until you reach a crossroads.

(5) Turn right, before the house, take the dirt track on the right that descends between two hedges. Turn right onto the D283, then immediately left to cross the bridge over the Lauze.

(6) Turn left onto the path that runs alongside the river for 500m.

(7) Go up to the right, pass La Plagne, continue along the road that descends towards the D12 and take it to the right for 100 metres.

(8) Turn left onto a path, continue straight ahead for 1 km, passing the water treatment plant. Cross the centre of the village, turn right onto Grand Rue Paul Saint Martin to return to your starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 201 m - Parking in front of the town hall
  2. 1 : km 0.79 - alt. 200 m - Crossing the D12
  3. 2 : km 3.15 - alt. 273 m - Turn right towards - Lauze (rivière) à finaliser
  4. 3 : km 6.15 - alt. 301 m - On the right, at the stone marker
  5. 4 : km 7.68 - alt. 292 m - Junction with the D129
  6. 5 : km 8.97 - alt. 303 m - Turn right at the road
  7. 6 : km 11.17 - alt. 211 m - Turn left after the bridge over the Lauze
  8. 7 : km 11.87 - alt. 212 m - Climb up to the right
  9. 8 : km 14.36 - alt. 203 m - Path on the left
  10. S/E : km 15.65 - alt. 201 m - Parking in front of the town hall

Worth a visit

In Simorre, in the south-east of the Gers, you will discover the fortified church, the Lauze valley and the Émile Peasant Museum.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 33 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
telbaz
telbaz
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk in the countryside. Beautiful view of the Pyrenees in the distance. However, there was a lack of signposting at point 2 and without GPS tracking we would not have found the path through the tall grass. The orchids were in bloom!

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virgule
virgule

However, we didn't see any orchids.

That's normal in March.

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geneviève crokaert
geneviève crokaert

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Please note: point 2, "Right towards Lauze", is not marked and the dirt track is difficult to see as it is rarely used. The new signposting starts on the right at En Saubet and rejoins our route before crossing Lauze.
Don't miss the fortified church and the pretty village.

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Krystian
Krystian

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 22, 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 on a clear day. Not difficult despite the first climb very close to the start. Very beautiful landscapes and forests. However, we didn't see any orchids. At the end of the hike, we stopped at SIMORE because there is a beautiful fortified church and the town centre is very pretty (medieval style).
I recommend this hike for families, no problem

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hcrando
hcrando

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike with little road walking, the main attractions being the village of Simorre, which is well worth a visit, and the orchids along the way. Despite the hot, dry weather, there was a lot of mud on the trails. Two problems: at point 2, the trail disappeared and we had to make our way through tall grass, nettles and brambles to get down to the Lauze. Then, on that particular day, it was impossible to cross the ford. There was too much current and muddy water submerging the stones of the ford, and even walking in the water, it was impossible to see where you were putting your feet, with slippery mud under your shoes. Do not follow the advice of a hiker who recommends bypassing the ford by walking along the edge of the field upstream. At the end of the field, it is no longer passable, and the same is true on the other side. However, if you retrace your steps on the trail, you will find a wide path downstream that leads to a road that connects to a bridge. From there, it is easy to find your way back to the trail. The rest of the trail is well marked.

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VincentLafon
VincentLafon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 10, 2022
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 in the countryside with lovely views and a trip through a beautiful village in the Gers region.

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egres34
egres34

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The landscape is pleasant with a section through the forest, despite the light but persistent rain we experienced throughout the journey.

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sequoia1
sequoia1

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with views of the Pyrenees. Beautiful landscapes.
Be careful at the ford; if there is water, it is difficult to cross and you will need to go around it via the field upstream. Also be careful at the end, as you will be in open terrain and it can get hot.

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jjac33
jjac33

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

On this beautiful day, we had the pleasure of discovering the Gers region and its natural beauty. There was a superb view of the Pyrenees and magnificent landscapes.
The signs to follow are those for PR 1, but at one point the route differs between the PR1 signs on site and those indicated on the map. However, another couple ahead of us followed the map and we ended up at a fork in the road.
A very pleasant day, unfortunately there were no orchids when we visited.

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DestinationGers
DestinationGers

Hello,
Thank you for your comments, they are very helpful.
We will pass this information on to our departmental hiking committee.
Kind regards

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rbor1000
rbor1000

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The route is very good overall, except from En Saubet to the ford. The GPS route on a small section at point 2 no longer corresponds to the signposts and this section is no longer maintained.

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bandiera
bandiera

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This ORCHID TRAIL deserves special signage (e.g. orchid drawings). All the signs are mixed up, including those for mountain biking. There is room for improvement in this area. Beautiful landscapes and rich heritage.

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MORPION
MORPION

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike, magnificent landscapes, valleys, small woods, under a blue sky, with mountains in the background
beautiful paths and few roads, relatively easy fording,
and a leisurely return trip through the pretty village of Simorre and its fortified abbey
I don't have an eye for orchids, but I'd love to do it again. Thank you!

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denis31
denis31
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

At point No. 2, do not turn left but right for a few metres, then take the path on the left. Change to the route. See comment by Patrick Dubau above.
The passage over the stone slab after point 2 may be problematic if there has been heavy rain in the previous days.

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Athos007
Athos007

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Hello,
The route was changed recently.
The route is well maintained.
The signposting is very clear.
This route was extended using the Grande boucle de Faget-Abbatial (total: 24 km, 5½ hours), which is an interesting option

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