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Park at the small pass at Légrillou, on the left and at the entrance to the road closed to traffic. There is an information board about hikes in the area.
Yellow PR® markings are rather poor.
(S/E) Head towards the sign for the Forêt Domaniale du Consulat de Foix and take the track that starts at the foot of it. The sunken path usually used is impassable because it has been damaged by forestry machinery (situation in March 2022). The new track created runs alongside it on the left and then rejoins it higher up at a fork.
(1) Keep to the right. At the next intersection, keep left on the path, which is initially straight but then winds a few times as the slope steepens before joining a forest track suitable for vehicles. Follow it to the right and, a few dozen metres before a cattle grid marked by a sign, turn left to continue the climb.
(2) Take a sharp right turn: a small cairn is a helpful guide here, as the IGN map is incorrect at this point. You will come to another forest road. Cross it and take the steep path opposite. Further on, there are a few muddy sections where you will need to use the escape routes, which are generally on the left. When you reach the junction with the path that follows the incorrect IGN route, turn right.
(3) Turn left, cross the bottom of a mountain pasture, then turn left to climb up towards Col Mazel and its hut. Pass it and continue straight ahead in a south-westerly direction.
(4) Keep to the right on the steep climb and continue along the top of the shoulder. Leave the forest and you will come out onto pastureland. Cross the meadow, aiming for a clearly visible fence, then follow it to quickly reach the Cabane de la Devèze.
(5) After a possible stop, descend the hillock from which you can clearly see three tracks starting straight ahead. When you reach the small pass, head towards the one on the left. A few cairns help you find your way as the markings are poor in this area. Head towards a wooden post with markings that is easily spotted near a pile of large boulders.
(6) Follow the path to the left towards Roc de Batail. The climb to the ridge is very challenging as it is straight up the slope.
(7) Once at the top, turn left to reach Sarrat de la Pelade, located a few dozen metres away. The south-facing view covers most of the peaks of the Haute Ariège. Continue along the wide grassy ridge dotted with several small peaks that are easy to cross until you reach Rocher de Batail, the highest point of the route.
(8) Keep going in the same direction. An easy descent quickly leads to a flat area where you can see an isolated rock.
(9) Turn left onto the shoulder that culminates at Picou, whose south face is fairly gentle. To access it, leave the path and follow a trail on the right that leads to the summit in just a hundred metres.
(10) Turn back and start the very steep descent on the right that leads to the Cabane de l'Homme Mort. Don't forget to turn around to admire the north-east face of the peak, which is much wilder and more imposing.
(11) Follow the wide, gently sloping grassy path that winds around a few bends and leads to a crossroads.
(12) Turn right. The path leaves the forest and becomes very rutted and congested as it actually serves as a drainage channel in case of heavy rain. Part of the descent can be made higher up on the left-hand side to avoid the deep ruts. Join the Route Forestière du Calmil.
(13) Turn left and follow this beautiful, almost flat track through a magnificent forest of conifers and deciduous trees, mainly beech.
(14) Keep going in the same direction, ignoring the track on the right that leads to the Col du Calmil. Forestry work in progress makes a section further on difficult, especially after a rainy period, but don't be put off by the mud (situation in March 2022). Reach the next fork.
(15) Keep to the right, staying on the same forest road, and continue at a leisurely pace to the starting car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Moderate 
Association / Club / Walk leader
Easy 
