Pic d'Estibat from the Col de Port

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A pleasant, easy hike from the Col de Port, in a magnificent setting combining forest, stream, picnic area and views of the Pyrenees. Not very busy except at the pass.

Details

n°60518
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.52 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 581 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 589 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,662 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,122 m
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Photos

GRP path
GRP path
Final shortcut is quite steep
Pyrenees mountain range

Description of the walk

The starting point for this hike is at Col de Port, a well-known stop for cyclists on the D618 (1,250 m).

(S/E) Start by taking a wide grassy path heading south-southeast for about 300m.

(1) Turn 90° to the right and climb the narrow dirt path to the edge of the meadow/forest (also 300m).

(2) From there, if you are feeling energetic, head south until you reach the north/east ridge descending from Pic d'Estibat (shown on the map), 700m further on. Otherwise, stay on the previous path and continue to its end.

(3) Turn right. The trail disappears but you are on the ridge line described above, which you must climb, heading south-west.

(4) You will arrive at Pic d'Estibat (1,663 m). A spectacular view of the Pyrenees opens up before you, with a 360° panorama.
The rest of the route is downhill, off-piste as the trail is often covered with vegetation. Use the fence on the ridge as a landmark, or the edge of the vegetation on your right, heading west then north-west for 3km.
Stay on this bearing until you reach the pond.

Reach Turon Ner.

(5) Continue north-west to join a stream that is often dry in summer.

(6) Continue west. You will have to climb over barbed wire when it turns 90° to the left.
Continue west. At times, you will be able to see the roof of the sheepfold
Follow this stream or dry channel, which will take you directly to the pond marked on the map (Gour du Souil) and a small meadow.

(7) There are two tables, a hut and a pond, the Gour du Souil. It's the perfect spot for a picnic.
From the pond, turn right and continue north-east for 50 metres, entering the forest.
You will then come to a path that bends at a 90° angle.
Leave the path that climbs to the right and take the left-hand path that descends and joins theGRP® Tour du Pic des Trois Seigneurs.

(8) Turn right onto the GRP®.

(9) After about 800 metres, leave the path that branches off to the left towards the hamlet of Cartou and continue straight ahead. The track winds its way up and down and leads you to the Col de Port and the car park at the starting point (S/E).

The end of the circuit is obvious.
This wide track winds through the forest and takes you back to the car park.
Just before you reach the car park, a final steep, often very muddy section on the right allows you to take a shortcut to your vehicle (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,249 m - Parking at &gt - Col de Port
  2. 1 : km 0.34 - alt. 1,292 m - 90° fork at the end of the grassy path.
  3. 2 : km 0.63 - alt. 1,388 m - Meadow/forest boundary. From there, head south.
  4. 3 : km 1.24 - alt. 1,546 m - Arrival at the ridge of the Pic d'Estibat.
  5. 4 : km 1.67 - alt. 1,662 m - Pic d'Estibat.
  6. 5 : km 3.52 - alt. 1,432 m - Turon Nère.
  7. 6 : km 4.25 - alt. 1,238 m - Junction with the stream
  8. 7 : km 4.55 - alt. 1,194 m - Meadow and hut at Gour du Souil.
  9. 8 : km 5 - alt. 1,123 m - GRP junction of the Tour du Pic des Trois Seigneurs.
  10. 9 : km 5.73 - alt. 1,150 m - Intersection with the path leading down to Cartou.
  11. S/E : km 9.52 - alt. 1,248 m - Col de Port car park

Notes

There is a large car park at the start, at the Col de Port.
There is also an inn, but it is closed in winter.
Halfway along the route, at Gour du Souil, there are tables and benches where you can stop for a bite to eat in an enchanting setting.

From the Pic d'Estibat, the route continues off-trail through tall vegetation, which slows down the pace.
Once again, prepare your trip and read the map carefully.
Good orienteering skills are necessary, hence the importance of reading the map before setting off and choosing a route that is within your capabilities.
However, all you need to do is keep heading west until you reach the pond, following the ridge line as shown on the map.
Those who did not find the meadow either did not follow this advice or did not consult their map.
The same applies to the absence of a path on the ridge: the map does not indicate any path after Turon Ner!

For more information, read the discussion thread about this route by clicking below, just after the last comment

Worth a visit

La Tour Laffont at the Col de Péguère.
Auberge du Col de Port.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 69 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.1 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Netlander
Netlander

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Done on a weekday under beautiful autumn sunshine: not a soul in sight!
The climb to the peak is tough, but the result is worth the sweat!
The descent from the ridge is superb.
Between points 6 and 7, the GPS comes in handy!
The return to the forest on the GRP is long and (very) monotonous.
Perhaps it would be better to try this hike in the other direction?

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User 9927013

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

there isn't really a path in the forest, and be careful, there's electricity on the fence. The dog didn't like it very much

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User 2776914

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

Throughout the first part of the circuit, it is quite difficult to find a path on the ground, and even the GPS directions on the app are sometimes inaccurate, but I managed to find my way nonetheless, and the hike was very beautiful.

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User 11289931
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, challenging at first, but what a reward when you reach the highest point of the trail.
It's not easy to find the forest track from the little house at the bottom of the route (follow azimuth 30° from the picnic table for about 100 m).
Be careful not to miss the path leading up to the pass on the left towards the end of the route. (I missed it and it leads to the end of the track on the road 1.5 km below the pass)

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User 16994474

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The climb was difficult because it was very hot

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jmoro
jmoro

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Be careful of a rough start on the first few kilometres, then a nice ridge trail, ending up in Jurassic World-style ferns. We lost the trail before rejoining the forest track and cut across. The return trip was in the shade but less pleasant due to the week's rain and forestry work, and a little muddy.
But overall, a hike worth doing

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User 17593535

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike.
The forest at the end is lovely.

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User 15668316
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

The weather was very mild. The start of the hike was a little difficult as we didn't warm up and the first hour consisted of climbing straight up to the peak. So it's best to start off gently. Once at the top, the view is magnificent. The descent is along the fence on the ridge. No significant difficulties. Stop at the pond (completely dry). Then forest track. Last short steep climb before returning to the car park. Hike completed in 3 hours 50 minutes with a 15-minute picnic stop. A very beautiful loop

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Dante31190
Dante31190

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A hike to do once but no more, with a steep climb at the start for an hour, followed by magnificent panoramic views. And then the descent. Far too many ferns. At the end of the trail, at the right time of year, you can look for mushrooms.

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Nicoz
Nicoz

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The climb is steep from the start, until you reach a fork. Read the instructions carefully and take the left path if you don't want to climb through the ferns (not very interesting in my opinion). The view from the ridge is pretty.
Then descend through the ferns. Most of this route is off-trail.
The end of the route through the forest is pleasant. The final climb through the mud is much less so.

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Reg58
Reg58

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely route for seeing the Pyrenees.
Once in the woods, it's just a return trip with little of interest, except for being in the shade.

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Antho31
Antho31

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The first part has a steep incline. The view is pleasant throughout the climb but becomes spectacular once you reach the peak.
The second part of the hike is not particularly interesting once you enter the woods.
No real difficulty.

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JLF1
JLF1

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike offering unobstructed views throughout the first half of the route. You can picnic in the shade near the cabin and the table mentioned in the description.
The descent is somewhat spoiled by logging, but there are some nice little streams with a few beautiful waterfalls that cross the return trail.
However, as with the other hikes, it is a shame that there is no information about the flora and fauna.

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jacoux
jacoux

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

the western ridge has been damaged by wild boars, and there are lots of ferns.
be careful not to miss the last steep slope that leads directly to the car park.

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Johann69
Johann69

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Take the grassy track at the start of the south-east facing car park.
the path through the bushes can be difficult to follow at times.
Beautiful unobstructed view at the summit.

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