Espiau Mountain via the cromlechs and the Croix de Garin

A very pleasant and easy hike, allowing you to stroll between the Oueil Valley and the Col de Peyresourde. Halfway along the route, you will discover rows of cromlechs with views of the Pyrenean peaks between Aneto and Quayrat. The Croix de Garin offers a clear view of the Agudes and the climb up to the pass.

Details

4029029
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.39 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 705 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 703 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,647 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,007 m

Photos

Description of the walk

There is a small car park at the church in Benqué-dessous.

(S/E) Follow the marked trail towards Saint-Aventin for about 700 m.

(1) There is a bench overlooking the Mail de la Serre. Turn right onto the marked path that winds its way up towards the cromlechs.

(2) Go through a small gate and close it behind you. Continue along the path uphill.

(3) A drinking trough equipped with a pipe will allow you to fill your water bottles; the water here is drinkable. Continue straight ahead.

(4) You will arrive at the aligned cromlechs. At the gate, continue straight ahead along the fence that protects the peace and quiet of the cows and horses grazing freely on Cap de la Serre. Climb up the Sentier des Chevreuils for about 700 m and join a track.

(5) Follow it for about 50 metres on your left as you climb. At the junction with thePR®23, go through the barrier heading north-west to reach the Croix de Garin track, skirting the pine forests.

(6) Cross the stream and head south. A sign indicates Croix de Garin; continue on this path until you reach the cross.

(7) Turn around and take the same path back.

(6) Continue right on the trail.

(5) Ignore the path going uphill on the right and continue straight ahead. Follow several hairpin bends.

(8) Go through the electric fence and take the path on your left to continue down towards Benque.

(9) Stop at the remarkable Saint-Blaise Church and continue downhill to the church of Benque-dessous and the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,009 m - Car park - Église Saint-Geniès (Benque-Dessous-et-Dessus))
  2. 1 : km 0.85 - alt. 1,010 m - The pass, path on the right
  3. 2 : km 1.58 - alt. 1,180 m - Gate
  4. 3 : km 2.01 - alt. 1,269 m - Water source
  5. 4 : km 2.62 - alt. 1,339 m - Cromlechs (Bagnères-de-Luchon)
  6. 5 : km 3.42 - alt. 1,449 m - Junction. Passage near the - Cabane du Cap de la Prade (1384m)
  7. 6 : km 4.52 - alt. 1,645 m - Crossroads at Croix de Garin
  8. 7 : km 5.67 - alt. 1,587 m - Croix de Garin
  9. 8 : km 9.63 - alt. 1,232 m - Barrier
  10. 9 : km 11.04 - alt. 1,047 m - Église Saint-Blaise (Benque-dessous-et-dessus)
  11. S/E : km 11.39 - alt. 1,009 m - Car park

Notes

Although this hike is not difficult, it is still advisable to wear good shoes and manage your water supply carefully, as the streams beyond the drinking trough at (4) contain water that is unfit for consumption.

Worth a visit

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

4.6 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 8354527

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The hike is pleasant, but the second part after the cromlechs includes long climbs facing the slope or on tracks towards the end, which are not very interesting.

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FabPin
FabPin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A view of the magnificent Pyrenees, Peyragudes, Superbagnères and the central Pyrenees mountain range. A real treat.
And finally, the two small village churches, which are open and charming.

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GR127
GR127

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike, we extended our walk beyond the Garin cross by following the GR trail and returned to point 4 via the red dotted line on the map, as the section between points 5 and 7 is monotonous with no views of the valley.

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Nath81Tarn
Nath81Tarn

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
We were unable to complete the entire hike. The temperature was 33 degrees and unfortunately this hike is always in full sun with no shade.
At the horses, we came back down at the end of the circular and, once again, there was no shade... only the very end of the circular was shaded.
This hike is best done when it's cool or even cold, as the beginning is very steep.
Thank you.

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l'indienne
l'indienne

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent panorama of the high peaks of the Pyrenees!

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yosemma
yosemma

Thank you for your suggestion, the church trail is indeed very nice. As we had to change the parking spot, I had omitted it... mistake corrected!

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lougris
lougris

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely route that can be enjoyed with the family. Not very crowded for a Sunday in July.
St-Blaise Church is worth a visit. If you go there, I recommend taking the path behind it, which is nicer than the road.
Thank you for this route.

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yosemma
yosemma

Great, thank you for the suggestion!

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chespeel
chespeel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike with superb views of the surrounding peaks. Well-marked trail with a few short steep sections. The map and description are reliable.

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yosemma
yosemma
• Edited:

Thank you for this alternative, which we will try after the restrictions have been lifted....

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tegon
tegon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

At the Cromlech crossroads, I met some hikers, both solo and in groups.
Then, from the Cromlech, I drifted onto the lower dotted trail, running parallel (Pays de Luchon 77, yellow dots). This well-marked trail leads to the GR on the hillside (above the more or less abandoned village of Labach, which is worth visiting). At this junction, take the hairpin bend marked Le Touc, which joins the Croix de Garin after the climb and on the ridge.
This detour allows you to walk along the valley that leads to the Col de Peyresourde with all the villages below (Cazeaux, Billière, Garin, Cathervielle) and to follow the 3000m peaks of the Luchonnais more closely.
Add 1 hour.

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alaval
alaval

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with no particular difficulties. Magnificent views of the peaks.

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