Country:
District:
Depart from the wash house towards the church. Parking spaces are very limited in this village.
(S/E) Follow theGR® 86 southwards, pass the cemetery and leave a path leading to Les Granges de Laprade on your left. Continue for 200 metres, leaving theGR® behind.
(1) Take a path on the left that climbs uphill, then left again 150 metres further on. Continue for 450 metres and leave this path to turn left (north-west). Reach the next intersection.
(2) Turn right for 100 metres, then left. Climb up a path that is not always well marked, passing a pretty barn on your left. Before reaching the ridge, the path turns right (east-southeast) and joins the Cabane de la Plagnette.
(3) A first stop is a must at the Cabane de la Plagnette (a 6-person refuge in excellent condition).
Occasional hikers will find this a good first destination, with a gentle climb of about 1 hour 15 minutes from the start.
Continue the hike by following a path heading due east that passes above the Cabane du Courrau. Leave it on your right and continue for 400 metres. Turn left at a spring (Hont Herède), heading north-west to reach Le Planet at the ridge.
(4) Le Planet is a tiny, very dilapidated hut for two people. It's a good place to eat and rest. In less than 20 minutes, you'll reach the summit of Mail de la Pique, where you can enjoy a 360° view.
(5) The descent to Le Planet is the same as the ascent.
(4) Continue along the ridge under the cover of trees on a path that is not always marked. Cross a path first on the right, then well after the Rochers de l'Escalette, a path descends to the right and another to the left; this one joins the Cabane de la Plagnette.
(6) From here, approach the descent with caution. A GPS device seems necessary until you reach your destination. At the very least, it will reassure you that you have chosen the right route. Continue descending as close as possible to the ridge line. The path is not very visible and becomes quite steep in places. It is sometimes slippery but not dangerous, and you may want to use walking sticks for extra caution. When you reach a less steep area, continue to stay close to the ridge line until you reach a promontory overlooking the village of Baren. A pidgeon hunting hut has appeared in this area since 2021.
(7) From the pidgeon hunting hut, the trail is even harder to find from spring to late autumn due to the abundant vegetation (ferns and brambles). Look along the edge of the fault line but heading due west for a small path that is not easy to find at first but then becomes well marked. It descends to the village, passing behind the lodges.
(S/E) You have arrived at the Lavoir, and the hike is over.
Visorando member
Association / Club / Walk leader
Difficult 
