The Pic de Tarbesou via the Coumeille de l’Ours then the Col de l’Egue

From Quérigut, head to Mijanes, drive through the village on the D25 via an S-bend, continue for 500 m along this road and, at the first sharp bend to the right, head straight on, crossing this road very carefully. Continue for 3.5 km, south-west, along the small Route de la Restanque, which deteriorates into a track.
Park at the first car park at La Restanque.

Yellow markings

(S/E) With your back to the car park, head left, westwards.

(1) Head up to the right along the Piste de la Restanque, which is closed to vehicles and blocked by a barrier. You’ll reach a large grassy area with picnic spots. Signposted as a Natura 2000 site.

(2) Pass the footbridge and a track on your left. Head uphill via a right-hand bend onto a track. Continue the ascent through the Bois de l’Agréboul.

(3) Cross the Ruisseau d’Artournant via the footbridge. Continue the climb alongside the stream.
You’ll come to a fork in the path with a wooden signpost.

(4) Carry on straight ahead, continuing to climb alongside the stream. This will take you to the Étang de Rabassoles.

(5) Go round it to the left, now climbing more steeply. This will take you to the^GR® 7B and the^GRP® Tour du Pays de Donnezan, and the Étang Bleu.

Yellow and red markings for^{the GR®} 7B, which takes precedence over the^GRP® Tour du Pays de Donnezan.

(6) Turn right onto the^GR® and^GRP®, skirting the lake on the right. A little further on, you’ll reach the Étang Noir.

(7) Walk along its right-hand side and begin a long north-easterly climb towards the Col de la Coumeille de l’Ours. Directional signpost destroyed.

Yellow markings

(8) Turn left (north-west), continuing to climb towards the Pic de Tarbésou. Head slightly north to reach the viewpoint.

(9) Retrace your steps slightly and, on the right after the wind shelter, find a path that descends very steeply south-west via the Sarrat des Escales. This path joins the magnificent Sarrat de Gabensa ridge and heads due south. Follow the ridge for a long while until you reach an altitude of 2090. Turn left at a 90° angle, heading down towards a small, unnamed pond at a crossroads of paths.

Followthe yellow and red markings of^{the GR®} 7B, which replaces the^GRP® Tour du Pays de Donnezan.

(10) If you get lost, head left to the Étang Bleu, then turn right, following the route in the opposite direction to your outward journey.
Otherwise, turn right, following the^GR® 7B which climbs along the rock face. Continue climbing steeply to the Col de l’Egue. Stunning views.

Yellow markings

(11) Turn sharply left downhill into the Coume de l’Estagnet towards the pond. After a gruelling and steep descent, you’ll reach the Étang de l’Estagnet. The beauty of the landscape makes it all worthwhile.

(12) Go round the pond on the left. From here, take another gruelling, steep descent before reaching the Ruisseau de l’Estagnet. The path, which heads north-east, becomes easier going. Return to the path you took on the way out.

(4) Turn right and follow the path in the opposite direction back to the car park (S/E).

The access track is suitable for vehicles, but do be careful if you’re driving a low-slung vehicle...

This is a mountainous area. You will need: rainwear, water, a packed lunch, the GPX track, route description, a map, a GPS or the Visorando app, a camera, good walking boots and a walking stick.

There is no shelter on the route.

Do not underestimate this hike, which features two steep descents:
- from the (11) in the Coume de l’Estagnet towards the pond.
- from the Étang de l’Estagnet (12) down to the Ruisseau de l’Estagnet.

I strongly recommend using the GPX track due to the lack of signposting.

Quérigut
The Tour du Donnezan
Natura 2000 site