The Airettes and Villaret passes, starting from the Aérium de Peyraube

A superb hike starting from the Aérium de Peyraube. The view over the Arre valley is well worth the climb.
Please read the section on practical information regarding herds and Patou dogs carefully.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.70 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 291 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 290 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 958 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 659 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park on the road near the Aérium.

(S/E) Follow the road uphill to reach the crossroads before the village of Peyraube.

(1) Turn right and, in Peyraube, take the path on the left leading uphill, known as the Sentier de la Trescoulade. After a few hairpin bends, you’ll reach a stream.

(2) Cross it, then continue on to the hamlet of Les Bonnels. Continue the climb, taking another hairpin bend before reaching the Col des Airettes.

(3) Start the descent to the left along the ridge, reaching a viewpoint in a clearing.

(4) Continue the descent through the woods to a junction at the Col du Villaret.

(5) Turn left onto the descending path. Cross the old mines. Continue on to a wider track near a cave.

(6) Continue the descent until you reach the original junction you passed on the way out.

(1) Turn right and retrace your steps along the route you took on the way there to return to the car park on the road near the Aérium (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 667 m - Aérium car park
  2. 1 : km 0.55 - alt. 691 m - Crossing the circular loop.
  3. 2 : km 1.63 - alt. 814 m - Stream
  4. 3 : km 2.5 - alt. 955 m - Col des Airettes (958m)
  5. 4 : km 3.24 - alt. 865 m - Panorama
  6. 5 : km 3.85 - alt. 804 m - Col du Villaret (803m)
  7. 6 : km 4.74 - alt. 698 m - Crossroads between the track and the cave
  8. S/E : km 5.7 - alt. 668 m - Aérium car park

Notes

If you come across the herd and the Patou:
- Go round the herd
- Make your presence known by speaking to him calmly (he doesn’t like being startled)
If he approaches you:
- Stop...
- Do not stare into its eyes
- Place an object between you and him (hat, jacket, rucksack)
His barking is normal and loud; it serves as a warning.
When he is calm, carry on your way quietly...

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
cjunier
cjunier

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 24, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very interesting and easy hike.
It is necessary to have VisoRando as it is not very well marked.

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Wazaby
Wazaby

In winter, there’s no chance of coming across the herd

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johnny-onions
johnny-onions

Hello,

No! Not at all. We didn’t even come across another human being!

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GerardBuffeteau
GerardBuffeteau

So you haven’t met the Patou and the shepherd?
The shepherd is the one whose sheepfold is right next to the aerium.

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johnny-onions
johnny-onions

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk that isn’t too difficult. The climb is a bit tough but not too long. A lovely mix of woodland and sweeping views over the valley. Just a word of warning: don’t follow the GPS coordinates provided by Visorando if you’re driving to the starting point. We ended up on a road that was impassable by car and I nearly got stuck!

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GerardBuffeteau
GerardBuffeteau

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
A superb hike with a great elevation gain, magnificent scenery and sections through woodland and past cascading rivers.
A little surprise: when I reached the end of the steep section, almost halfway through the route, I could hear sheep’s bells on the plateau, but a Patou dog blocked my path.
I was able to carry on because the shepherd was there; otherwise, I would certainly have had to find another way through or turn back.
On that note, it might be a good idea to advise mountain walkers on how to behave in such encounters, as the Patou won’t let you pass and could be aggressive if it’s alone looking after the flock.
It all ended very well for me; I was even able to have a chat with the shepherd and continue on my way without any trouble.
Best regards.

Justin

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issanlat
issanlat

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A relatively easy route, though one section is quite overgrown. A lovely climb up to the abandoned hamlet of Les Bonnels. Beautiful views of the surrounding countryside from the ridge path. Did it in the morning; it was very sunny so quite warm

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