The Barrens viewpoint from Prades

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A walk of about two hours, which takes you from Prades to a viewpoint offering an extraordinary panorama of the Pyrenees mountain range. On the way back, the Chemin du Bac offers walkers a breathtaking bird's eye view of the village of Prades!

Details

n°11617279
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.68 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 343 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 343 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,611 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,268 m
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Photos

The Pyrenees mountain range seen from the Barens viewpoint

Description of the walk

Park at the top of the village, near the medieval well and La Marianne fountain.

(S/E) Head north-west up the dyke, then just after the fence (remember to close it behind you), turn left and follow the route marked with yellow markers.

(1) Leave Chemin du Bac on your left (you will take this on the way back) and go straight up Chemin de la Gardie, following the markings.

(2) Leave Chemin de la Gardie and climb left towards the Barens viewpoint.

(3) At the crossroads, turn right. When you reach a clearing, leave the Chemin de Montaut on your left and cross the clearing straight ahead to take the Chemin de la Pidgeon Hunting Hut opposite, towards the Barrens viewpoint. Continue to a second clearing.

(4) Cross it, then walk along the woods on your left, following the yellow markings. You will reach the Barrens viewpoint, which overlooks the Sept-Cazes plateau and offers a magnificent view of the Pyrenees mountain range.

(5) Return by the same route.

(3) Continue straight ahead, then turn right onto Chemin du Bac, which winds through the fir trees and leads to a viewpoint overlooking the village of Prades.

(1) Continue to the right and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,268 m - Car park at the top of the village
  2. 1 : km 0.32 - alt. 1,327 m - Eastern junction of the circular
  3. 2 : km 0.73 - alt. 1,391 m - Chemin de la Gardie junction
  4. 3 : km 1.09 - alt. 1,469 m - Western junction of the circular
  5. 4 : km 2.29 - alt. 1,582 m - Second clearing
  6. 5 : km 2.49 - alt. 1,610 m - Barrens
  7. S/E : km 4.68 - alt. 1,268 m - Car park at the top of the village

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 8 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Marie-T
Marie-T

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk, easy, well marked in yellow. Superb view of the Ariège Pyrenees.
Very quiet area, we didn't meet anyone, we were a group of five adults.
Just a quick tip: at the start of the route, shortly after passing the barrier, watch out for the path that turns right and does not continue into the field.
The village of Prades is also worth a visit.

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Mizugachi
Mizugachi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

An easy hike with clear signposting, most of which is pleasant through the woods. The view at the end is superb.

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Arnaud Jonquet
Arnaud Jonquet

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk in the forest offering views of the Pyrenees mountain range.

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Floorent
Floorent

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A very nice hike with a beautiful view at the end and on the way back to Prades.

We didn't meet anyone else, ideal for feeling alone in the world!

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efface
efface

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This is an easy hike in warm weather, as you are often in the woods.
The route is not very well marked (old), but thanks to the detailed explanations and map, you can find your way without any problems.
The viewpoint would benefit from being marked and having an orientation table.
The viewpoint over Prades, almost at the end, offers a beautiful panoramic view of the village.

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Patou63
Patou63

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy hike. But once you reach the top, the view is superb. The view of the Pyrenees is very pretty.
The trail is well marked and the description is clear. Just be careful at point (2) to turn left despite the cross on the tree trunk, as the markings then resume as normal.

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l'indienne
l'indienne

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Even though the hike is short and easy, it's well worth doing. The view from the top is superb and worth the effort. It was even more beautiful thanks to the autumn colours!

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alf.31
alf.31

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb view, it's magnificent.

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