Tuc du Coucou from the Maison du Valier

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A challenging hike that takes you to a summit with breathtaking views of the Mail de Bulard.

Details

n°2286444
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.46 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 3,241 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3,248 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 6,175 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,054 ft
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Description of the walk

Red and white markings ofthe GR®®10

(S/E) From the Pla de la Lau car park, take the Trapech track following theGR®® 10.
The climb through the forest is steep with short hairpin bends.

(1) At the first junction, continue straight ahead.

(2) At the next junction, continue in the same direction.

(3) At the next junction, turn right towards the Cabane de l'Artigue.

(4) Pass the Cabane de l'Artigue and continue on theGR®®10, which heads south.
After a series of hairpin bends, you’ll reach the Cabane du Trapech du Milieu.

(5) Pass this hut and continue straight ahead.

(6) At the junction, turn left and continue along the winding path.

(7) Turn right, then let the GRT54 variant branch off to the left. Continue north-westwards to the Clot du Lac hut.

No signposting

(8) From there, follow the ridge due north to reach the summit of the Tuc du Coucou.

(9) The return is via the same route to the Pla de la Lau car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,091 ft - Pla de la Lau car park - Gîte d'étape "La Maison du Valier"
  2. 1 : mi 0.4 - alt. 3,209 ft - Junction
  3. 2 : mi 0.55 - alt. 3,409 ft - Junction
  4. 3 : mi 1.18 - alt. 4,501 ft - Junction
  5. 4 : mi 1.33 - alt. 4,656 ft - Artigue Hut
  6. 5 : mi 1.82 - alt. 5,092 ft - Trapech du Milieu hut
  7. 6 : mi 2.11 - alt. 5,351 ft - Junction
  8. 7 : mi 2.52 - alt. 5,761 ft - Junction
  9. 8 : mi 3.1 - alt. 5,994 ft - Clot du Lac hut
  10. 9 : mi 3.23 - alt. 6,175 ft - Tuc du Coucou
  11. S/E : mi 6.46 - alt. 3,091 ft - Pla de la Lau car park - Gîte d'étape "La Maison du Valier"

Notes

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

4.8 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
RomainCK
RomainCK
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Second opinion from me, having tried the hike again in summer after failing in winter (far too much snow approaching the third hut despite having the right equipment).
Hike completed on 01/05/2025 in beautiful sunshine. A really intense climb with no respite until the summit, but the small huts along the way are nice places to take a break.

As it's a round trip, the return journey is a nightmare. I think it's the worst descent I've ever done.

The summit, located in the heart of the Couseran, is an excellent vantage point for observing the highest peaks of this massif (Maubermé, Barlonguere, Mont Valier, Mail de Bulard, Crabère, etc.).

I encountered very few hikers on the route. Hikers seem to prefer the less strenuous alternative route starting from La Pucelle.

The day was punctuated by the sound of avalanches from the surrounding peaks, which I mistook for thunder. Coupled with the solitude, you realise just how wild and hostile this corner of the Pyrenees is...

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RomainCK
RomainCK

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on the day this review was written (30/03/2025) in winter mode.
The first important thing that no one should ignore before setting off is that there is no mobile phone network coverage in the area, so be careful if you are going alone.
The hike follows the GR10 trail for almost the entire route, so the markings are very clear and visible. In winter mode, it's a different story: as soon as you leave the forest before the first hut, there are almost no markings visible due to the snow, but the trail is fairly easy to follow.
Unfortunately, I couldn't make it to the end because the snow was very difficult, but I plan to try again in May!

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Rémy 09
Rémy 09

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike, well marked, varied landscape, with a steady climb. At the summit, you can enjoy a bite to eat while taking in the view. If it is windy, you can descend to shelter at the pass and the hut just below.

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entropiek
entropiek

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I didn't meet many people during the hike. The view from the top is nice, but when I was there, it had been completely stripped bare by sheep and was covered in sheep droppings. It was more reminiscent of a sheep-filled Mordor than a place where you'd want to sit down for a picnic.

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khurdz
khurdz

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Enjoy your hike! There is an alternative circular route available: https://www.openrunner.com/r/11018602

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jyw
jyw

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hike without any particular difficulty, except for the elevation gain, which remains quite reasonable.
Steady climb with no uneven terrain.
The first part is entirely through a superb beech forest, the second part is in the open air on high-altitude grasslands.
The total duration of our hike was slightly less than indicated by Visorando: just over 2 hours for the ascent and 1 hour 40 minutes for the return.
At the summit, there is a superb 360° view, with a beautiful sight of "islands" emerging from a sea of clouds.

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