Pic de Saint-Barthélémy: South-West circular loop from Appy

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

Hike, completed today.
Please note that, as indicated, the section between point 3 (“Cabane de la Jasse”) and point 4, where you join the Pic des Bugarels trail, is extremely arduous and progress is very difficult. There is no path and you have to rely on the GPS track to find your way. The vegetation is very dense and the short kilometre feels endless. However, it is not dangerous at all. The slope isn’t very steep, but as you have to take long strides to walk through the vegetation, it really takes it out of your legs. Finally, when you reach the Pic trail, it’s a relief, even though the slope becomes very steep...
The only spot where you need to be careful is a slightly exposed section where you have to use your hands, between the Col de Garibal and the Pic de Garibal.
It’s a real shame about this off-trail section because it’s a brilliant hike, and the ascent of the Pic du St Barthélémy from this side is very quiet compared to the other sides.
I won’t be doing it again – it’s only for masochists.

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Date of your route : Sep 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, done in the opposite direction. From the Pic de Girabal (2,169 m) to the pass of the same name, the descent requires a bit of care! Make sure you follow the route carefully near the Sédars hut (a wild, peaceful and very pleasant spot). We came out onto the ascent path slightly higher up than the signposted junction!! at a huge, magnificent tree (a beech, I think) and a Yellow Cross. The path we took is narrow but clearly visible. The path leading off from the junction seems to be more overgrown. Thank you for sharing this.
meadowsweet

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Date of your route : May 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This route to the Pic de St Barthelemy is rarely used. I walked it in foggy conditions and the GPS track is accurate. There is just one point I would warn you about: the off-trail section between the Jasse de Sedars and the “Sarrat de Bertenac” path is particularly treacherous. I followed the track, which takes you through very dense broom that reaches waist height for a distance of about 800 metres, which seems endless. The rest of the hike matches the description perfectly. In summer, remember to fill up with water at the Jasse de Sedars refuge (a tap is available) as there are no other water sources on the route before the Appy pond.

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I’m leaving a comment but not a rating because I didn’t follow exactly the same route
Instead of heading up to Bugarels, I carried on towards the Trimouns quarry via the Pas du Gai, then cut across from the track onto the Nadel path, and climbed up via Soularac.

It’s a brilliant idea to do a circular route in this direction! The Appy pond is particularly lovely on the way down!
The start of the path from Appy isn’t very interesting, but it immediately gets more enjoyable when you head east off the marked trail. Be careful though, as the vegetation can be a bit dense in places. Above the Jasse de Sédars there are paths that allow you to reach the ridge trail without too much difficulty.
I didn’t see anyone coming this way until the Col de Techeyrou.

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Date of your route : Jun 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely 15 km circular route with stunning views. The climb is long and a bit monotonous. Take care at the point where the path disappears, just past the shelter. You need to stay at a fairly constant altitude at the tree line, veering south-east until you reach the path on the ridge, and don’t try to cut across even if the slope isn’t too steep. Absolutely no one, or almost no one, until you reach the summit. More people after that, and Appy Pond is very busy as always. Be careful: there are few water sources on these sunny slopes, so make sure you take plenty of water with you if it’s hot.

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