The Pic de Tarbésou loop

This summit is a magnificent viewpoint overlooking much of the Aude, the Pyrénées-Orientales and the Ariège. This ridge walk takes you to the Étang Noir and Étang Bleu lakes. These lakes are bordered by small pine groves where you can relax.

Details

n°12096982
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.71 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,388 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,388 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 7,746 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 6,312 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

From the centre of Ax-les-Thermes, take the D613 then the D25 to Ascou, Goulours La Forge and Lavail. At Lavail, turn right onto the D25 and continue to Pla de Mounégou, just before the Col de Pailhères.
There are several parking spaces on both sides of the road.

(S/E) From the car park, follow the wide track on the Pla de Mounégou (1,963 m) which heads south on theGR®7B, marked in red and white. You will come to a crossroads.

(1) The path on the right will go around the Picou de Mounégou. TheGR®7Bcontinues straight ahead.
Take the path between the two, which climbs between blueberries and heather. It approaches the ridge just below point 2187 m on the map.

(2) The path continues along the left side of the ridge and eventually joins it.

(3) Follow the ridge more or less and reach the summit of Tarbésou (2,364 m).

(4) From the summit, head slightly to the right and then west, and look for several paths that join the Sarrat des Escales ridge. A wide path eventually emerges and leads to a flat area above the Étang Noir.

(5) The trail then follows the Sarrat de Gabensa ridge to a small pass.

(6) Change slopes by turning left and follow a south-east path to a crossroads.

(7) There are two options: either dive directly to the left of the Étang de Braque, or continue straight ahead to go around it on the right (option shown on the map) and join theGR®7B.

(8) Whichever you choose, follow theGR® to the left towards the north. It joins the Ruisseau de l'Estagnet and, after a right turn, reaches the Étang Bleu (1,930 m).

(9) The path climbs and passes to the right of the Étang Noir.

(10) Continue north and then climb up the side of the Tarbésou to the Col de la Coumeille de l'Ours.

(11) Opposite, the path continues through streams, meadows and mountain pines and returns to the crossroads encountered on the way up.

(1) Take the same path as on the way there to reach the Col de Pailhères and the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 6,444 ft - Car park at the edge of the D25
  2. 1 : mi 0.69 - alt. 6,657 ft - Fork
  3. 2 : mi 1.2 - alt. 7,146 ft - Close to the ridge
  4. 3 : mi 1.47 - alt. 7,480 ft - Ridge
  5. 4 : mi 1.66 - alt. 7,746 ft - Pic de Tarbésou
  6. 5 : mi 2.49 - alt. 7,116 ft - Flat
  7. 6 : mi 3.16 - alt. 6,985 ft - Small pass
  8. 7 : mi 3.24 - alt. 6,923 ft - Crossroads
  9. 8 : mi 3.48 - alt. 6,686 ft - GR 7B
  10. 9 : mi 4.01 - alt. 6,312 ft - Etang Bleu
  11. 10 : mi 4.39 - alt. 6,535 ft - Etang Noir
  12. 11 : mi 5.07 - alt. 7,129 ft - Pic - Col de la Coumeille de l'Ours
  13. S/E : mi 6.71 - alt. 6,447 ft - Car park

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

4.9 / 5
Based on 32 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
User 20115273

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 28, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk!

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User 13834929

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

To round off a week’s hiking in Ariège in style, the Pic de Tarbésou circular route… quite simply magnificent, with lakes of unbelievable colours and a panoramic view over the ridges that makes you want to come back and explore other places…
Not a difficult walk, accessible to everyone, and well signposted

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ESCUR CORINNE
ESCUR CORINNE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk with stunning views
I found it a bit challenging, especially towards the end with that long climb up to the pass before heading back down to the car park where we started

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User 16100016

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb walk, of moderate difficulty – a lovely day

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User 21863395

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent walk
The views of the lakes from Tarbesou are spectacular.
An easy hike with very clear signposting

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ALBIJOIE
ALBIJOIE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It’s always a pleasure to go on this walk. It’s a shame there were so many dogs off the lead – after a while it gets a bit of a nuisance :-(

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User 29586062

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The start of the hike, heading towards the peak, was quite tricky as there were no signposts and several routes to choose from – it was easy to get lost.
As I was on my own, I must admit I wasn’t feeling very confident, but luckily I met three charming gentlemen who invited me to join them for part of the walk
Otherwise, a magnificent hike with very lovely scenery, particularly the view over the ponds. However, with the mist, it was impossible to see the panorama from the peak.

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guillaumets
guillaumets

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 04, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A must-do circular walk when you’re in Ax-les-Thermes, with beautiful views from the Tarbesou and a refreshing break by the lakes before the climb up to the Col de l’Ours

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thierry.rossich
thierry.rossich

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent circular hiking loop with stunning views of the Pyrenees peaks. The time given is accurate. A must-do!!!

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User 18307707

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent route with spectacular views. A real feast for the eyes!
It's a bit physically demanding due to the elevation and length of the circuit, and could even be classified as "difficult" even though there are no technical difficulties.
A shorter version, which involves descending to the Black Lake without going around the other ponds, allows you to see a beautiful part of the circuit while reducing the difficulty.
An excellent day for us.

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Gerard Pierre
Gerard Pierre

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant route, well marked with superb scenery, especially along the ridge. Views of part of the eastern Pyrenees. Be warned, however, that there is a fairly steep climb on the way back to reach the pass. Not easy after lunch!

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Olivier.boutinaud
Olivier.boutinaud

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike. Ridge trail with stunning views. Keep in mind that once you reach the ponds, there is still some elevation gain to reach the end of the trail, which remains very pleasant

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Romualdvalerie
Romualdvalerie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent route with views all along the hike. The passage through the Tarbesou peak and the ridges offers a 360° panorama, particularly of the lakes below. However, don't forget that there is a final climb after passing the lakes. A hike worth doing 👍

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taboulechat
taboulechat

Thank you for your comment and all the beautiful photos you posted. 👍

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Vendinielle
Vendinielle
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Spectacular; a feast for the eyes, one of my most beautiful hikes. It's really interesting to see the entire route from above. The estimated time (5 hours 10 minutes) is for experienced hikers, as the route deserves to be savoured to the full. Don't hesitate to take a few detours to get new angles for your photos. Beautiful view of the Dent d'Orlu from the ridge trail. The heather was in bloom today; it must be stunning when the rhododendrons are in bloom (June). Do this hike in the direction indicated because, even though the climb up to the Coumeille de l'Ours is really tough, it must be even more challenging to climb up to the Tarbésou at the end of the day.
There weren't many people around, just the pleasure of sharing our admiration. I'd recommend it to all keen walkers.

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