Haugarou refuge from the Col de Couraduque (1367m)

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Short, easy winter hike. This is a standard hike in the Argelès-Gazost region.
A wide, well-marked trail leads hikers from the mini winter sports resort of Col de Couraduque to the Refuge du Haugarou, which is actually a beautiful mountain hotel.
In winter, this route is best done on snowshoes (even though it is generally well groomed and possibly passable in shoes)!
In summer, as the route follows a road, you may encounter cars...

Details

n°102422
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Snowshoeing
    Activity: Snowshoeing
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.06 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 2.5 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 153 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 160 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,366 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,213 m
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Photos

Col de Couraduque trail towards Haugarou
Signage from the Col de Couraduque station to the Refuge du Haugarou
Pla de Bourassouse

Description of the walk

At the top of the Col de Couraduque, park in the highest car park, near the station building.

(S/E) Walk past the building and take the right-hand track opposite, which descends slightly through the forest.
The trail is very well marked "Refuge du Haugarou".
The trail descends just 60 metres over nearly 2 km.

(1) Cross the Abèdet. This is a heavily wooded area except around Bourassouse, where a large flat area has been cleared (marked as wooded on the map and on Géoportail).
Then the trail begins a winding descent.

(2) Pass the Ruisseau de Taillade ravine, then the Ruisseau du Bergon ravine, descending from the Col de Bazès and joining theGRP® (Grande Randonnée de Pays) of the Tour du Val d'Azun.

(3) This trail finally arrives at the bottom of the valley at 1,210 m at the Refuge du Haugarou.

(4) The return journey follows the same route back to (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,365 m - Parking - Col de Couraduque (1367m)
  2. 1 : km 1 - alt. 1,339 m - Abèdet
  3. 2 : km 2.52 - alt. 1,313 m - Taillade stream
  4. 3 : km 3.14 - alt. 1,255 m - GRP Val d'Azun junction
  5. 4 : km 3.53 - alt. 1,213 m - Hougarou refuge
  6. S/E : km 7.05 - alt. 1,364 m - Parking - Col de Couraduque (1367m)

Notes

Possible shelters at the start (S/E) and finish (4).
In winter, bring snowshoes (or simple waterproof hiking boots if the trail is well groomed, as was the case on the day of our hike).
In summer, simple hiking boots or trainers.

Worth a visit

In winter, you can enhance your hike by making a few detours to Pla de Bourassouse, then before Ruisseau de Taillade, turning right up the slope and heading almost directly towards the refuge (both on the way there and on the way back), for the pleasure of snowshoeing in powder snow.

Alternatively, you can also return in a circular fashion via the Col de Bazès (1,509 m), turning right at the (4) and taking theGRP® Tour du Val d'Azun. The view from the Col is magnificent.
The more adventurous can also climb to the Pic de Bazès (1,804 m).
Return to the Col de Couraduque via the Sentier de Découverte, which is generally well cleared, and the Col de la Serre (1458 m).

Nearby: Col du Soulor,GR®101,GRP® Tour du Val d'Azun, Arrens-Marsous leisure centre...

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
3.6 / 5
gg64
gg64

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : No

Winter outing for families, walkers, snowshoers and cross-country skiers, as it is the only trail open during snowy periods for hikers "without snowshoes", but very well groomed.
At the end, the Haugarou refuge is open and very welcoming, where you can enjoy delicious hot meals before heading back uphill to the starting point.
A beautiful day.

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Talou
Talou
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 04, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
I did this route with my children, who are young adults, at the start because the weather wasn't very good, but when we arrived at the refuge, the weather cleared up, so we retraced our steps and took the path on our right that climbs up to the Col de Bazès, which is a little steep but not too long and goes through the forest. When we reached the pass, we discovered a superb, unobstructed view, then we returned via the track to the Col de Couraduque. A beautiful hike, even though we took this route as an approach walk. The forest is beautiful, although it is true that there are some sections where cars drive through. Thank you.

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ALICE MARIE
ALICE MARIE

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I used this route for a circular hike from Couraduque to Pic de Bazès and back via the GR 101. The red and yellow markings on the PR are faded and incomplete. Once again, I appreciated Visorando, which allowed me to hike without getting lost in the many forest trails. Thank you all...

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MCTOUL
MCTOUL

Hello Adepitot, sorry that this route did not suit you. But it is designed for a simple family snowshoe walk in winter, as indicated.
Outside of snow season, it's not very interesting!
Best regards

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Adepitot
Adepitot

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Not much interest in this hike. Road frequented by cars that drive quite fast. You go downhill the whole way and then back uphill again.
I won't be doing it again.
However, there are other routes to explore in the area and the view from the car park is magnificent.

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Bidullon
Bidullon

We couldn't go on the hike because the weather wasn't good enough, so we'll do it later.

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jiloub
jiloub

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 12, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Walk along a wide forest track with no difficulty (cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter).
-interest of the route: accessible for families++, beautiful forest (shady in hot weather, which is not currently the case) and reward at the refuge where you can enjoy a pleasant meal
-For a more challenging route starting from the Col de Couraduque, it is better to head towards the Col de Bazes (panoramic views) or even climb to the peak of the same name for the more adventurous, then descend and enjoy some refreshments at the refuge before returning home. (circular route)
For your information: paragliding site at the Col de Couraduque

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philippe Godard
philippe Godard

Hike completed on 24 July 2017 by Claudine and Philippe
A very pleasant hike. The refuge was a little deserted but the welcome was warm.
An accessible and very pleasant hike with superb views.

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MCTOUL
MCTOUL

Thank you, Christian C.!
I'm glad you enjoyed this route!
Feel free to check out others that I've posted on visorando.com.
Best regards
Marc

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Christian C.
Christian C.

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 30, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Departure: Col de Couraduque, Col de Bazés, Pic de Bazés (poorly marked trail, GPS recommended), descent from Pic de Bazés via the north slope (snowfields present, follow GPS track), stop at the Haugarou refuge, easy return to Col de Couraduque.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.