The Tuc de Tucol from Arbas

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An easy hike once you've made the climb, with magnificent views of the Pyrenees.

Details

n°3267003
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.80 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 550 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 547 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,573 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,199 m
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Photos

Panorama of the Ariège peaks
Ridge and snow-capped Pyrenees
Summer colours and light
Rock outcrops

Description of the walk

From the village of Arbas, take the D13a road and follow it to the car park at the Fontaine de l'Ours, which is the end of the road.

(S/E) Take the yellow-markedPR® trail on the left. Begin the climb through the woods to reach a trail junction at a hairpin bend.

(1) Keep left in the bend to stay on the PR®. Continue climbing, make a tight loop to the right to quickly find a new trail junction and join theGRP® des Trois Vallées.

(2) Take it on the left and, following the red and yellow markings ofthe GRP®, begin a short descent followed by an ascent to the Sommet de Cournudère. Note: to reach it, do not descend into the hollow towards the hut, but stay on the left at the top of the hollow.

(3) Return by the same route to the previous crossroads.

(2) Continue straight ahead, passing Tuc de Tucol. Begin another short descent to reach Cap de Mourens.

(4) Continue straight ahead on theGRP®, follow the slightly uphill path before starting the descent via the Cap des Teches ridges leading to Tuc de Haurades.

(5) Leave theGRP® here and turn right onto the yellow-markedPR ®. Arrive at the Cabane de Roque Pi.

(6) Turn right, follow the stream, passing close to the Gouffre Mile. Then leave the stream and return to the Fontaine de l'Ours car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,199 m - Fontaine de l'Ours car park
  2. 1 : km 0.6 - alt. 1,318 m - PR trail junction
  3. 2 : km 1.88 - alt. 1,554 m - GRP crossroads
  4. 3 : km 2.81 - alt. 1,556 m - Summit of Cournudère
  5. 4 : km 4.24 - alt. 1,566 m - Cap de Mourens
  6. 5 : km 5.86 - alt. 1,497 m - Tuc de Haurades
  7. 6 : km 6.48 - alt. 1,393 m - Roque Pi hut
  8. S/E : km 8.8 - alt. 1,200 m - Fontaine de l'Ours car park

Worth a visit

(3) Cournudère summit: view of the Pyrenees from the paragliding launch site.

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 23 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
LouCoulobre
LouCoulobre

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I enjoyed doing this short circuit again. It's ideal for introducing people to the joys of hiking. The section through the woods requires a bit of fitness, but as it's downhill (and a bit slippery), it's better to do it uphill. At point 5, the circuit can be extended with a return trip to the Pic de Paloumeres.
The view is fantastic: Maladeta, Vallier, Callabasse, Cagire...
No problems with the Patous as long as you respect them.

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User 4930974
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike in warm weather: a climb (a little steep!) and a descent through the woods. The ridge offers magnificent 360-degree views of the plain on one side and the Pyrenees on the other. We encountered three rather impressive Patou dogs when we arrived at Tuc de Tucol and took a detour on the way back to avoid them. Even on the ridges, there is some shade.
A shuttle bus is available from Arbas to the car park at the start of the hike.

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Vinznojutsu
Vinznojutsu
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A short, easy hike that provides access to one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Pyrenees.
The climb is challenging but does not present any particular risks. Access to the paragliding take-off point makes this a very popular route in its first section.

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Fabio31
Fabio31

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

After a shaded climb, a beautiful ridge trail with views of the plain on one side and the Pyrenees on the other.

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noemsch
noemsch

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An accessible hike, we started the climb quite early, but it was shaded (in the woods). The route along the ridge offers beautiful views of the Ariège peaks. We didn't see many people, but it was a Monday.
It's 1 hour 20 minutes from Toulouse, and there's easy parking for around 15 cars.

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Marial
Marial

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a pleasant hike with no difficulties. Beautiful views from the ridges with the added bonus of a circular route.

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Fa54
Fa54

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike in beautiful weather, with a fairly challenging initial climb, but you are rewarded with a section of the route along the ridge with the snow-capped Pyrenees to the south.

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Arguin31
Arguin31

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike with magnificent views from the ridge over the entire snow-covered Pyrenees mountain range.
Good climb through the forest, follow the route carefully. Then you are rewarded with an amazing view when you reach the ridge. Long walk along the ridge on grassy carpet with beautiful vegetation, then a leisurely return through the forest.

Thanks to the author of this beautiful hike

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yvesrégine
yvesrégine

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This hike can be done on snowshoes in winter.

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Jean-Jacques L
Jean-Jacques L

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Apart from an hour's climb through the forest at the start, the entire hike is along an open ridge with magnificent views of the central Pyrenees. Just 70 minutes from Toulouse, this is the ideal hike for taking beautiful photos and getting back into shape!

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Bouconne VTT
Bouconne VTT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A magnificent hike with a view from the summit, looking south towards the Pyrenees as far as the Pic du Midi and north towards the Toulouse plain (Saint-Gaudens and Toulouse in the distance)
Best done in the direction indicated, as the descent can sometimes be slippery in wet weather. The view at the top is also more surprising.
It is well signposted, which is very useful in autumn when dead leaves cover the entire path.
The two Patous (Neige and Belle) have left for the season. Instructions on how to behave are clearly indicated at the start of the hike.
Don't arrive too late because when we returned around 1 p.m., the car park was full.

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Vendinielle
Vendinielle
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I completely agree with the comments, the entire ridge is magnificent, as is the summit of Cournudère. I also added the Pic de Paloumère (more like 5 km there and back, all in 6 hours). The descent around the hut is a little less interesting, but the arrival through the forest provides welcome shade, which is appreciated in summer, and the beech trees are superb. Be careful, the access road, like any mountain road worth its salt, is narrow and winding.

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Thierry DESCONNETS
Thierry DESCONNETS

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 19, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I was looking for a hike below the snow line. This route was perfect for me.
The first climb was a bit challenging but very enjoyable.
The sheep had come down from the mountains, so I didn't see any Patou sheep.
Very beautiful view of the Pyrenees.
A lovely walk... well worth it.

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lecervin
lecervin
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike that I have done several times, this time in beautiful weather, starting at 7°C in the morning and reaching 17°C in the afternoon.
A beautiful climb through the forest and superb 360° views of the ridges.
I took the opportunity to watch the paragliders take off from the summit of Courdunère.
Elevation gain: 575 metres. Duration: 5 hours, including numerous short breaks and a picnic on the ridge.

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mla69
mla69

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike unfortunately spoiled by a patou...
The herd was on the path, guarded by the sheepdog, and thick fog prevented us from going around. The sheepdog made it clear that it would not let us approach, so we turned back and did not complete the loop. What a shame!

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