Pics de Soularac and Saint Barthélémy from Montségur

Leaving Montségur, after the campsite, in a large left-hand bend, go straight ahead and follow the Ruisseau Saint-Nicolas, passing the picnic area and then, 400 m further on, turn left at the fork. The car park is 300 m away on the left.

(S/E) Take the path that climbs into the woods, heading south-west.

(1) Cross the forest road and continue climbing opposite, into the woods. Join the forest road.

(2) At the fork, take the path that climbs to the left.

(3) Cross the Ruisseau de Font Frède stream.

(4) Cabane Jasse Pratmau: turn left, heading south, and climb up to the pass.

(5) Col de la Peyre. Take the path on the right that climbs north-west to the Étang Tort.

(6) Étang Tort (bean-shaped lake). Turn right and continue climbing. Beautiful view of the Luzenac talc quarry (the largest in the world).

(7) At the crossroads, turn right towards Pic de Soularac (the path on the left leads to the car park on the Luzenac side). Steep climb where you will need to use your hands a little.

(8) Pic de Soularac (2,368 m), the highest peak in the Tabe massif. Very rocky and uncomfortable. Beautiful 360° view, especially of Saint Barthélémy to the west. Descend due west on a very steep, rocky path.

(9) Col du Trou de l'Ours, 2,200 m. The brave can climb straight up to the Pic de Saint Barthélémy, which is steep but less difficult than the Soularac.

(10) Pic de Saint Barthélémy, 2,348 m. Beautiful 360° view of Soularac to the east, the Monts d'Olmes resort and Mont Fourcat to the west. Depending on the weather, you can also see the Pic du Midi de Bigorre, the Vallier, the Pic des 3 Seigneurs, the Pique d'Estats, the Pic de Rulhe to the south, Le Tarbésou, L'Ourtiset and Bugarach to the east, La Frau, Le Pog de Montségur, Lavelanet, Péreille and Roquefixade to the north. Descend to the Col du Trou de l'Ours.

(9) Take the path on the left that heads north, going around the Étang Supérieur on the left.

(11) Étang du Diable. Take the path on the right (the one on the left leads to the same place with a detour via the lake).

(12) Étang des Truites junction: turn right, heading east. The path is not easy, sloping and covered with vegetation (depending on the time of year), hiding holes and rocks. Watch your ankles. There is a tricky section on a slab with a metal ramp anchored in the rock to help you get across, about 20 m long. Return to the Cabane de Pratmau through the woods.

(4) Then take the same route as on the way there, in the opposite direction, to return to the car park (S/E).

At the Cabane de Pratmau, you can get fresh water from a pipe, but it is better to use a filter bottle for safety. The path down to the hut is not well marked towards the end.