Tuc du Coucou

A steep climb rewarded by a 360° panorama of the Couserans and Biros peaks.

Details

2433201
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.55 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 999 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 999 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,880 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 881 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From Saint-Girons, head towards Castillon-en-Cousseran on the D618, then take the D4 towards Bonac-Irazein. Before you get there, turn left onto the D704a and continue to the end at Granges des Écharts.

(S/E) From the Pucelle car park, take theGR® trail that climbs to the left. The trail climbs gradually in the shade of the trees. At thefirst intersection, continue straight ahead at the bottom of the valley.

(1) Take theGR®10, which climbs to the left into a small mountain pasture before returning to the forest. The climb begins with numerous hairpin bends.
When you reach theGRP® Tour du Biros, take it to the left for about 10 metres.

(2) Take thesecond path on the right (GR®10), which continues to climb in hairpin bends through the forest before reaching the mountain pasture.

(3) When you reach the Besset hut, go around it on the right and continue straight up. Follow theGR® trail that climbs up into the mountain pasture.

(4) When you reach the Clot du Lac hut, continue climbing to the pass (altitude 1,826 m).
From there, there is no longer a path, but the summit is visible on your left (as you climb), so all you have to do is finish your ascent to the summit.

(5) Tuc du Coucou (stone on the summit) to enjoy the 360° panorama.
Return via the same route to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 881 m - La Pucelle car park
  2. 1 : km 1.26 - alt. 1,052 m - Intersection on the left
  3. 2 : km 2.16 - alt. 1,261 m - GRP and GR intersections
  4. 3 : km 3.04 - alt. 1,528 m - Besset hut
  5. 4 : km 3.99 - alt. 1,820 m - Clot du Lac hut
  6. S/E : km 8.55 - alt. 881 m - La Pucelle car park

Notes

The trail follows theGR® except at the end, where the climb to the summit is off-trail (see photo).
The difficulty stems from the significant elevation gain of approximately 1,000 metres over a distance of 4.3 kilometres.

At the car park: WC, picnic table, barbecue, stream.
Cabins: sleeping accommodation available, but no water source visible.
Summer pastures: Merens cows and horses.

Worth a visit

It is possible to do part of the return journey by taking a section of the Les Tunnels de Decauville trail in the Orle valley, available on Visorando at (2), but this extends the distance and you will need a torch to pass through the tunnel.

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

4.9 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
krolaps
krolaps

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike, quite challenging but well worth the effort once you reach the top with a superb view of the Couserans and its peaks.
In hot weather, it's best to start the hike very early, despite the first part being in the forest...
The two huts are ideal for a drink or picnic in the shade and are very well equipped to shelter in case of bad weather.

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FRED60
FRED60

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Tuc du Coucou via the Pucelle car park. Very good trail all the way. Two well-maintained huts for rest stops. No difficulty.

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C. Bailly
C. Bailly

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

A hike I don't think I'll do again. I didn't find it very interesting. Climb through woods and mountain pastures. The magnificent 360-degree view only comes at the end of the climb. And indeed, there's no point in climbing Tuc du Coucou... Mountain of animal droppings, so terrible smells, flies and so on.
The only positive point is the view from the top! Truly breathtaking.

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jeanmarie.chopin
jeanmarie.chopin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, with a climb that is admittedly a little rough at times, but with a very steady slope and no changes in terrain. The first half is through a very pretty beech forest, with snow-capped peaks on the other side of the valley; the second half is through mountain pastures. And there is a 360° panorama at the top of the summit. This hike is a must in very good weather, to really enjoy it!
A few birds of prey flew overhead while we were having lunch at the summit.
We crossed paths with or saw about twenty hikers on the GR10 from the summit, but only one couple was with us at the summit of Tuc du Coucou.

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CLI31
CLI31

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, with a steep incline and a beautiful (windy) view upon arrival. The two huts provide shelter.

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LGG
LGG

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It had snowed heavily, so the path was covered in snow. A very beautiful parish-specific to Brittany walk, with a steady climb that wasn't too difficult despite the 1,000-metre elevation gain. Very well marked and superb views. Perfect for a day trip that's not too long. Located in one of the wildest corners of the Ariège.

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Pascal33270
Pascal33270

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great view. In the end, we didn't need snowshoes. We would have headed right, above the hut at the pass, to continue on and reach the ridges!
Two birds of prey.

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nadineca
nadineca

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike. Very steep for the first hour. Return by turning right at point 2 and passing through two tunnels to extend the hike by about two hours.

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Emma_pask
Emma_pask

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike, follow the GR10 all the way to the pass. The climb is gentle but steady, then very steep towards the end. It's tough on the legs, but well worth the effort for the 360° panoramic view once you reach the top! We were lucky enough to spot some large birds of prey from the Tuc du Coucou.

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