Ajéou plateau

Discover the Ajéou plateau with its chasm, sinkholes, summer pastures and numerous barns, some of which are bird-proof. In several places, you can enjoy views of the Ariège mountain range.

Details

5542910
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.12 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 243 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 241 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,168 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,039 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐
    Area: Pyrénées
  • ⚐ District: Ustou (09140)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 42.797922° / E 1.30645°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2047ET, 2048OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park on the side of the D8F, about 750 m after the Col de Latrape when coming from Aulus-les-Bains.

(S/E) Take the path that climbs up the hillside (north-west). It climbs steadily to reach a small pass.

(1) Descend slightly and turn left, following the edge of the woods (markings not very visible), climb up through a field of ferns before beginning a descent that will take you to Turon d'Isaac (old barns that are starting to fall into ruin).

(2) Go through the gate on the right. The path passes under the two barns and continues into the woods (at a ruined barn, Mont Valier comes into view). Go past the gate of a renovated barn and turn left.

(3) You will come out onto a track; follow it to the left. At the next intersection, continue straight ahead.

(4) Turn left (note thefirst sinkholes on your right). Continue straight ahead on the path and keep to the path lined with low walls to reach a new intersection.

(5) Go left at Gouffre d'Ajéou with its stream that disappears into the bowels of the earth... Return to the path.

(5) Stay on the main path between the low walls (south-west). Pass by Fontaine du Trou. The path climbs to a beautiful viewpoint under a renovated barn. Pass in front of the barn with the flat tile roof and turn right onto the path at the edge of the forest (not very visible).

(6) A small sign indicates that the path turns left and then climbs to reach a track.

(7) Continue along the track opposite and quickly take a path on the left to return to Turon d'Isaac.

(2) Follow the same route back to the car park on the edge of the D8F (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,073 m - Parking at the side of the D8F.
  2. 1 : km 0.76 - alt. 1,156 m - Small unnamed pass
  3. 2 : km 1.69 - alt. 1,130 m - Turon d'Isaac
  4. 3 : km 2.12 - alt. 1,072 m - Intersection
  5. 4 : km 2.79 - alt. 1,047 m - Fork
  6. 5 : km 3.36 - alt. 1,061 m - Access to - Gouffre d'Ajéou
  7. 6 : km 4.08 - alt. 1,112 m - Sign
  8. 7 : km 4.66 - alt. 1,112 m - Track opposite
  9. S/E : km 7.12 - alt. 1,073 m - Parking at the side of the D8F.

Notes

Coming from the Ustou valley, the car park is a few hundred metres on the left after the junction for Guzet.
Well-marked trail:PR® Yellow,GRP® Yellow and Red and directional signs
You can also take a track to reach (7): 1½-2 hour walk, 140m elevation gain.
Several barns are inhabited.
Please remember to close the gates behind you.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
User 3162869

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A short, shaded walk. By following the instructions carefully, we were able to discover some beautiful sights

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User 26295077

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This was a new hiking experience for us, as we are both in our fifties, and we thoroughly enjoyed it, both the varied landscapes and the app, which proved very useful.
The route is very well signposted, except perhaps in the agricultural area, but Visorando is there to help us.

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Doris31210
Doris31210

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

A very beautiful walk through the woods and along lovely paths, taken on 6 October 2024.
Be sure to follow the yellow markings, which are sometimes difficult to see in the woods.
Lots of barns along the route, many of which are in ruins
An easy and very pleasant hike.

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Léna raoul
Léna raoul

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant, fairly easy hike. It is suitable for families and people who are unable to walk for more than half a day.
There are some beautiful views and points of interest along the way. Most of the trail is in the woods, which can be pleasant in summer...

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Jean Claude PASTORELLO
Jean Claude PASTORELLO

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Well-marked, well-described and interesting route (sinkholes, etc.).

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tomnad
tomnad

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Beautiful hike, diverse landscapes, no difficulties, suitable for families, often shaded. We followed the route we had downloaded beforehand. With children, be careful near the chasm!

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littlegus
littlegus

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant nature walk with plenty of shaded areas.
Parking is easy.
There isn't much elevation gain, but what there is is fairly concentrated with a few nice climbs. Overall, it's quite easy.
We didn't encounter any dogs during the walk.

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Souns 46
Souns 46

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We encountered the dog in question, nothing happened, but it is a very large dog...
The hike is suitable for families with children, very accessible, not very long and with little elevation gain.

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Cumulus54
Cumulus54

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hello,
I would like to report a serious safety issue upstream from hiking point 3. There is a landowner whose behaviour could be improved, as his vicious dog bites hikers. I was the victim of this. The dog attacked me for no reason, tearing my jacket and bruising my right forearm. The police are investigating the incident.
The dog is large and grey, and the owner is in his fifties with greying hair. This person seems rather unhappy that hikers are walking in "his forest" on the marked trail near his unfenced house.
Watch out for children!

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