Pic d'Estibat and Sommet des Griets circular from the Col de Port

Date of your route : Jan 01, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely hike on 1 January under a beautiful blue sky.
We followed the trail without any problems except after the Estibat hut, where we got sidetracked by other trail marks. But we easily found our way back to the original trail. The section before reaching the forest is a bit difficult, but doable!
We needed to put on crampons in some icy spots and snowshoes in other snowy areas, especially on the ridge.
Magnificent view of the Ariège Pyrenees!

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Date of your route : Nov 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent day under the sun, it's even warm (end of the route in a T-shirt). At the Pic d'Estibat, we discovered a panoramic view of Valier, Rouch, Montabone, Certescan, and then Bassiés behind the Pic des 3 Seigneurs. In the foreground was the Pic de la Journalade, to its left the Cap de la Dosse, and between them the valley of the Loumet stream.
The yellow ochre colour (ferns) covers part of the surrounding mountains.
As described in various reviews, the connection between points 5 and 6 remains uncertain. Leaving the summit of Les Griets, there is a well-marked path, but before entering the forest, the path is unclear or non-existent (be careful with your ankles as the path is covered in tall grass). I then continued the hike downhill through the forest, heading more to the right and towards the ridge.
I checked my position on the GPS twice and found myself at the crossroads of the forest path (solid line and dotted line on the mobile map).
Then I headed towards the Doule hut and left the forest path to take a dotted line on my GPS with ferns on the first part (unmanageable path because it is not used and therefore not marked). Return by following the Loumet river, footbridge, then forest path and back to the car park.
I have fond memories of a beautiful day.

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

We found the return route, specifically the part that descends into the forest, very difficult to follow. In fact, without using GPS, we would not have made it by just following the PDF we had printed, as the trail is very difficult to see and even invisible in places. Once you reach the forest track, the forest house and then the Estibat hut, it is easy to follow.
The hike is a bit challenging for the first hour (ascent to the Pic d'Estibat). The view is beautiful, but there is hardly any shade and the natural surroundings are not particularly pretty (livestock pasture followed by a conifer plantation). If you set off early enough and are in good shape, you can push on to the Journalade peak instead of turning back at landmark 4 (it's a steep climb and will add about 3 hours to the hike).

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

Beautiful views along the route. However, this hike seems more suited to a winter outing with snowshoes. Between points 5 and 6, the trail didn't really exist (occasionally it was vaguely marked), so we had to walk 1.5 km downhill through tall grass. In the evening, one of us found four ticks on his body, so be careful. (We were all wearing trousers, though.)

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Date of your route : Mar 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Easy path to follow until you reach the forest; in the forest, there isn't really a trail, but if you look at the map, you'll see that you need to stay as close as possible to the ridge that leads to the forest road.
Magnificent views.
We rounded off the day with a round trip climb from the Port au Sarrat de la Pelade pass, which was also magnificent.

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

Hello, beautiful route but not easy in the forest, no paths or signposts, but a lovely walk.

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Thank you for your comment. I did indeed do this circular in winter, with snowshoes. Off-trail hiking is therefore more difficult when there is no snow.

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Date of your route : Nov 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Path overgrown with ferns in many places, particularly after the Pic d'Estibat on the way back.

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Date of your route : Jul 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful views of the Pyrenees mountain range (Valier, Trois Seigneurs, Bassiès, etc.) and the Massat valley, but initially too much walking on tarmac roads.

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Date of your route : Jun 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

First part of the hike was straightforward. Superb views. However, on the way back, it was difficult to find the path, which is never marked. It is easy to get lost in the forest. The path needs to be marked. The end of the hike (after the cabin) is easy to identify.

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Date of your route : Jun 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Indeed, the initial descent was made on snowshoes, and it shows. The descent from Les Griets is completely off-trail, through ferns, rhododendrons and junipers. At this time of year, it's still passable, and the ticks are out in force. To be checked in summer.
In the fog on the ridge, GPS is definitely welcome to help you find your way.

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Date of your route : Jan 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike with a slightly off-course route 3-4 km from the finish line in the forest.
But the arrival at the Pic d'Estibat offers an exceptional view.

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Hello and thank you for your review. I just want to clarify that I did this hike on snowshoes (in winter, therefore). Off-trail in the snow is completely different and therefore much easier.
Best regards.
Yves

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Date of your route : Oct 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route with superb views of the ridge between Pic Estibat and Les Griets.
However, there is no track or path between points 5 and 6, so you have to push through ferns and brambles before reaching the road again.
Shorts are not recommended!

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Date of your route : Aug 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, but not recommended in summer as the path is invisible between points 5 and 6 and then 8 and 9; in these two areas, ferns and heather grow in abundance. However, there is a beautiful view between points 2 and 5.

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