Pic de Cagire from the Col de Menté

An exceptional hike in good weather and with good visibility.
From the Cabane de l'Escalette, the view of the Aneto and the Luchonnais and Neouvielle ranges is astonishing, and remains so throughout the hike.
I'm reassured to see that the difficulty has been downgraded to 'Difficult'. In fact, despite the low altitude and a very "piedmont, cow mountain" environment, this hike hides a real difficulty due to the potential danger on certain sections:
Between the Cabane de l'Escalette and the Pic de l'Escalette the vegetation (the gispet) coupled with a steep slope can be a real trap. In wet weather (rain or fog), the gispet becomes as slippery as ice. The slightest fall can be costly. In winter, crampons and ice axe are compulsory.
Between the Pic de l'Escalette and the Col du Pas de l'Âne, some sections are exposed and can be daunting for inexperienced hikers.
The descent to the Cabane de Larreix is fairly safe. You can even feel the difference in climate as this section is located in a hollow that protects you from the wind.
If in doubt, I'd recommend doing the out-and-back hike up via the Cabane de Larreix. Visibility is less good at the start and the climb is steeper, but the path is less dangerous.
In summer, beware if you are accompanied by a dog. The patous who guard the herds on the crests of the Cagire are not always friendly.

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This walk took place on Saturday 2 November 2024 in ideal weather conditions. ☀️
Departure at 10am from the Col de Menté car park, where many cars were already parked.
As we reached point 1, the magnificent view quickly began, and thanks to the description, we were able to see the Maladeta massif and the giant Aneto.
The climb from point 1 to point 2 is steep but not difficult. In the summer sunshine, we thought we would have enjoyed it less.
We were surprised by the sometimes vertiginous descent between the summits of Les Parets and the Col du Pas de l'Âne, even though we'd read a few warnings. This slope, which sees little or no sunlight, is indeed clayey and slippery. What's more, you have to use your hands a lot. Finally, there are 2 or 3 overhangs. So it can be impressive for people prone to vertigo. Some people are very slowed down, not knowing exactly how to go about it, which creates a bit of a traffic jam (there were a lot of people on this hike that day). We were patient. If we're careful, we get through this technical section. And although we were advised to do the same return, we decided to do the loop as indicated in the description. We can't do this section twice in one day! 😅
After another fine climb, the hike ends very easily at Le Cagire. Here we take a lunch break and admire the view. It's magnificent, and we're enjoying it.
On the way back, the descent to the Larreix hut is bucolic! In the sunshine, the golden and orange trees are a delight. After that, the forest track may not be very interesting, but it does have the merit of resting the legs. And it goes fairly quickly.
A very nice hike, but I'd classify it as "difficult". The hike to Lac d'Espingo is classed as difficult, but I find it easier than this one.

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Nice hike on a sunny Friday. Very few people on the trail in early October.
Most of the route is not particularly difficult. The panorama on a clear day is magnificent.
The ridge section from point 2 to point 4 (Col du Pas de l'Âne) is the most difficult part of the route for me. The path is in the shadow of the ridge and in my case the terrain was clay with very slippery, steep rocks... I had to manage a few slips. Passing the Col de l'Âne is no more difficult, and the view from the Pic Cagire is superb.

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Much more pleasant from the cabane deJuzet

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We chose to do it the other way round (departure from Col de Menté, Cabane de Larreix, Pas de l'âne, Pic de Cagire, Pas de l'âne, Pic de l'Escalette), which was a bit more strenuous, with a steep climb between Cabane de Larreix and Pas de l'âne, but which you should avoid taking at the end of the hike as it's a bit of a descent for your knees...
There is a herd of summer sheep with Patou between Pdl'âne and Cagire, and we didn't see (or perhaps didn't see well) a water point between the Larreix hut and the end of our hike at the Col de Menté, so take water 😉.
Magnificent views on a clear day, especially in this direction for the view of the chain!
Hiking to be done with suitable footwear!

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A beautiful hike with a magnificent view of the Pyrenees.
I'd advise starting out cool, as the first climb just after the Cabane de l'Escalette is quite steep and you'll catch a sweat in the sun! The rest of the way up to the Pic du Cagire is easy and the return journey, with its shady section, is very pleasant.
Take binoculars, if you have them, to enjoy this beautiful panorama.
Thank you for this route

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Exactly as shown on the map.
Lovely walk with beautiful views.
Do it again, but start the other way, which I think is more difficult.

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It was a fine outing, but unfortunately it was spoiled before we reached the cagire by a large herd in the middle of the path, accompanied by at least 2 patous, 1 of which seemed very aggressive. Everyone I could see turned back and made do with the Pique Poque peak.
For the rest, after the hut turn right towards the Pic de l'Escalette to catch up with the ridge.
The descent along the ridge towards the Col du Pas de l'Ane is quite impressive at times and I would advise against it if you are afraid of heights.
Do it again out of Patou season.

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Very nice hike with a beautiful ridge route. It took us the time indicated on the way up (faster on the way down from the cagire).
The descent to the Col de l'âne was quite slippery (wet clay soil) and a bit steep.

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Lovely 5-6 hour walk with several beautiful viewpoints over the Pyrenees range

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Well-detailed hiking guide.
The views of the surrounding peaks are superb, a real pleasure 😊

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As a regular on this walk, I recommend taking the same route on the outward journey and on the return journey, via the Col de l'Escalette (outward journey D-1-2-3-4-5 and return journey 5-4-3-2-1-A), to avoid the monotony of the last part of the forest road, which is not very interesting in my opinion (even if you take the same route on the outward journey and on the return journey, the landscapes you see are different anyway!) Be careful, you have to go over the Col de l'Escalette but not the Pic de l'Escalette (at the Col de l'Escalette, turn left for the Cagire and right for the Pic de l'Escalette).
Otherwise, a quick message for runners: this Sunday, I did the route in trail - rando sportive mode. 1h07 on the outward journey, 48mn on the return, making a total of 1h56 (running whenever possible, but that's not always the case). Beware of a few tricky sections on the outward journey, on the descent between point 3 (summit of parets) and point 4 (col du pas de l'âne), for those who tackle it "quickly" (potentially slippery rocks).

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The signpost at the Escalette hut is wrong, as you have to follow the signs for the Pic de l'Escalette, otherwise you'll end up at a dead end. This path climbs towards the col.
From point 3, sommet des Parets, the route is a ridge path that descends over boulders and is partly aerial. This can be described as difficult and relatively dangerous, especially when wet. We advise you to do the route the other way round and to avoid bringing people who are sensitive to vertigo, as there is a passage through the void.
Alternatively, for those who are not experienced, it is better to do the AR directly via the pas de l'âne (donkey track). In any case, the best part of the walk is at the Cagire.
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Super practical
helps to form an opinion about the route, especially for novices
Thanks

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Superb hike in glorious weather and equally glorious visibility from the cagire.
Taking your time at the peak is very pleasant.
Magnificent views and pleasant sections along the way.
At the start, perhaps take the yellow markings rather than the forest path. When the 2 meet at the 1st level of the climb, the yellow markings look nice.

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