LES CHEMINS DE LA LIBERTE OPUS 1 : DU COL DE BALES A PORTET-DE-LUCHON

Steps

Step 1

As this walk is not a loop, you’ll need to make some arrangements beforehand: you’ll need to leave a car at the end point in Portet, or get a lift to Port de Balès. Back then, people only used to walk this route in one direction!

Step 2

From the Port de Balès, take the track situated 50 m below on the Bourg d'Oueil side of the slope for about 1.5 km until you reach a cromlech, where you will find a path leading uphill.

Step 3

Follow this path to Port de Peyrefitte, then head down towards Lake Bordères. Please be careful, as some sections can be slippery at times and a few of the steps are quite high.

Step 4

In autumn, this is the spot from which you can hear the stags bellowing. To continue along the path, turn left at the lake and follow a steep slope up to the Col du Lion. This is where the bulk of the ascent takes place; allow around 45 minutes for the climb.

Step 5

The view on reaching the Col du Lion is spectacular: the panorama of the 3,000-metre peaks of the Luchon region and the Louron and Aure valleys is breathtaking. The hikers continued on their way, following the path to the left towards the Col de Pinate, but there’s nothing to stop you from climbing up to the Pic du Lion (an extra 20 to 30 minutes’ climb).

Step 6

Once at the Col de Pinate, a 1,000-metre descent begins, still following the red and yellow markings. You’ll pass by the Conques hut, a lovely summer pasture belonging to the village of Jurvielle. The path then descends through the forest and follows the right bank to the village of Portet-de-Luchon.