The hillsides of Saint-Lézer

On the wooded hillsides to the west of the Val d'Adour, this route starting from the Gallo-Roman site of Saint-Lézer offers a magnificent view of the Pyrenees.

Details

677573
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.90 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 166 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 166 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 340 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 230 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Saint-Lézer (65500)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.372055° / E 0.029835°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 1644SB, 1645SB
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Description of the walk

Departure from the car park of Saint-Lézer Church.

(S/E) Go around the cemetery, heading towards the archaeological trail, and join a road that passes at the foot of the Tuco (feudal mound).

(1) When the road turns at a right angle to the left, 150 metres further on, leave it and continue along the cart track opposite. Follow this ridge path for 2 km.

(2) On the plateau, follow the edge of the forest to the left for 200 metres, then turn right. Just after the Peyroutou farm, descend to the left along a path that leads to the D63.

(3) Walk up the main road to the left for a few metres and then take a small road slightly to the right. Follow this road for 500 metres.

(4) Go down the first path on the left which, after running alongside some reservoirs, leads to a cart track.

(5) Follow it to the right, then, before a farm, take the path on the left that leads to the bottom of the valley. At the intersection, take the track on the right to the D225 (hunting lodge).

(6) Follow this road to the left, then, after the bridge, turn left onto a wide path leading uphill to the ridge path (GR®101).

(7) Follow this path to the left. Continue along the ridge until you descend to Saint-Lézer. The track becomes a tarmac road and joins the Cami dou Barmala, a cross in the centre of a fork on the right.

(8) Take Cami dou Mey on the right, then finish on Cami dou Laneta on the left, which leads to the town hall.

(9) From the town hall in Saint-Lézer, take the D63 on the right.

(10) Turn left onto Cami de la Gleysa (Rue de l'Église) and then, further on, onto Cami Dous Pérous, which runs along the priory wall and leads back to the foot of the bell tower (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 271 m - Church car park
  2. 1 : km 0.36 - alt. 281 m - Path opposite
  3. 2 : km 2.43 - alt. 330 m - Edge of the forest on the left
  4. 3 : km 3.58 - alt. 335 m - Road on the left
  5. 4 : km 4 - alt. 337 m - First path on the left
  6. 5 : km 4.81 - alt. 280 m - Cart track
  7. 6 : km 6.16 - alt. 285 m - D225 on the left. Towards the - Uzerte (cours d'eau) - Affluent du Lis
  8. 7 : km 7.69 - alt. 340 m - GR101
  9. 8 : km 10.93 - alt. 232 m - Towards the town hall
  10. 9 : km 11.28 - alt. 231 m - Town hall
  11. 10 : km 11.51 - alt. 236 m - Turn left onto Cami dou Gleysa
  12. S/E : km 11.9 - alt. 271 m - Church car park

Notes

Hiking boots or trainers and something to drink.

Worth a visit

Not to be missed:
The archaeological trail allowing visitors to explore Roman and medieval ruins. At the start of the trail.
The church, its altarpiece and woodwork.
The priory.

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.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 18 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
3.8 / 5
HPAL
HPAL

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy and very pleasant route. We did it on a very hot day, so the woodland was very welcome. A lovely spot for a picnic and a rest next to the priory.

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Alinxu
Alinxu

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
we did this hike a few days ago, on 17 March 2025. It offers varied landscapes (forests, hills, the Pyrenees in the background, etc.) and allows you to switch from a trail to a quiet road or even a forest track. You don't meet many people (two horse riders, a few mountain bikers and one or two joggers on that particular day). In short, it's perfect!
Be careful, though! This route, which appears in a small guidebook to the Val d'Adour published in 2007, requires a little vigilance.
You need to concentrate on the GPS route and 'forget' the yellow markings of the initial signposting: some have disappeared and others can be confusing because this route crosses other circular paths with the same signposting and you can easily end up on other tracks...
Apart from these details, with a little vigilance and the Visorando route, you're sure to have a pleasant time

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teddygers
teddygers

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very well

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PhilippeScholive76
PhilippeScholive76

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A beautiful hike without much difficulty. The mobile app provides accurate guidance. Beautiful views of the Pyrenees mountain range, still covered in snow, from the Prieuré park.

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Patrick65
Patrick65

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route is an easy walk with no particular difficulties.
Between the Visorando route and the old (and new) markings, there is no fear of getting lost.
This hike is accessible to everyone.
It is worth noting that it can be done in very hot weather (like yesterday) as most of the trails are shaded.
The hunters' hut can be a stopping point halfway through for a picnic or a rest.

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alpini.friuli
alpini.friuli

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

After the long and pleasant stretch through the forest at the start, the directions are poorly marked and the old markings are sometimes difficult to spot, which makes progress towards Montaner slow and difficult. Then, in the village, there is a bench and a water source, which are ideal for taking a break and having a snack before tackling the steep slopes up to the castle and on the way back, where you will find yourself back in the forest to finish off a pleasant route. The information route on prehistoric and medieval remains adds an interesting cultural note at the end of the route. Allow around 4½ hours to complete the circular route today.

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Aidenwill
Aidenwill
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant short walk to do in springtime. The GPS markings are impeccable. I recommend spending some time admiring the archaeological sites around the starting point after the walk, where you can enjoy a superb view of the Pyrenees mountain range.

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DOB65
DOB65

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, just a small note at point No. 4: the trail narrows and becomes barely visible; storms have damaged the path.

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bbrunelet
bbrunelet

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Start not very obvious
The distance given in paragraph 1 of the guidebook, which could refer to the beginning or end of the sentence, can be misleading, and the fork in the road near the last houses is not indicated.
No landmarks on the map (surrounding villages, Montaner tower, etc.) and stage numbers placed in strategic locations that have become illegible.
There are markings (mountain biking, yellow trails) but none that correspond (unless we misread them) to the route to be taken.

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bartoche
bartoche

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant short hike, suitable for most people, mostly through woodland, which can be extended to include the archaeological route on the way back to Saint Lézer.
The route includes some wet areas, but is still passable.
A popular route for mountain bikers and walkers, and also, less pleasantly in this environment, for motorbikes and quads...

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skargo
skargo

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

To be done in spring to get more colours
yours skargomically

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loki64
loki64

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful walk through the woods – very well signposted, perfect for a break from mountain hiking

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merivot
merivot

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route, mostly through woodland, which is very pleasant in hot weather. The view from Saint Lézer church is magnificent

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Archrotrryx
Archrotrryx

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 21, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

We really appreciate your website, my dear, and we have become big fans. We are very pleased. Paulette and Patrice

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hillary1208
hillary1208
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing

We set off from the church car park and join the ridge path that crosses a magnificent forest of oak and chestnut trees. So far, so good: the ground is a little damp, but with all the rain we've had this week, that's to be expected.

At the edge of the forest, there is an almost unobstructed view of the Pyrenees, heavily clouded towards the border. Above our heads, blue skies and sunshine dominate, but we are surrounded by humid heat.
The descent to the La Barmale stream starts well: the ground is almost dry, but this doesn't last long because vehicles have dug ruts that channel the runoff water that should normally flow into the nearby stream, and we find ourselves wading through mud...
We continue the circular path by crossing the bridge over the Barmale, and there the path disappears, giving way to a huge muddy area... with beautiful, deep footprints, not from wild boars, deer or other quadrupeds, but from logging machines, accompanied by numerous warnings about the danger of these wild beasts.
Never mind, we'll bypass the Amazonian forest-like swampy area by taking the road to join the GR on the ridge line.
The first sight of the GR: huge piles of unpeeled wood, a pile of old tyres, tracks from vehicles in all directions, and mud... and a car belonging to Forestcorte, the company responsible for this massacre, with an English slogan: Forestry and biomass... but not eco-responsible - that's my addition.
For 1,500 metres, the same scene of desolation continued: piles of wood, warning signs, mud and tracks left by machinery...

Where the machines pass, the forest dies and the hiker moves on...

We talk about deforestation in the Amazon and Indonesia, but in France, we are no better...
Fortunately, everything comes to an end, and at the end of this battle zone, we find the GR trail, undisturbed, for the descent to Saint-Lézer and the steep climb up to the church.

In the end, the weather was pleasant, and we completed a 12 km circular with a 250 m elevation gain in hellish conditions for the second half of the route.

So, as in La Guerre des Boutons, the final word is: "If I had known, I wouldn't have come..."

Photos on my blog

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