GR10 self-guided Section 5 : From Luchon to Aulus les Bains

Your holiday starts at your accommodation in Luchon, you may decide to visit the thermal baths with the famous Allées d’Etigny.
The village of Cazarilh and Luchon valley
Walk in the surrounding countryside to the village of Cazaril-Laspènes, a village with a remarquable church and architecture. Opportunity to walk to the hamlet of Trébons, then Saccourvielle before returning to Luchon.
Ascent of the pic de Céciré
From Superbagnères, reach the summit of the famous peak of Céciré (2403m), lookout on the 3000 of Luchonnais, and the summits of the border: offer yourself a view on the Maladeta and the massif of Aneto during this very pleasant walk. Distance : 9km, duration : around 3h, altitude gain : +465m, descent : -465m. OR Distance : 13,5km, duration : around 5h, altitude gain : +775m, descent : -775m.

Short transfer to Artigue. (It is possible to include the walk Luchon-Artigue in the tour, adding a night in Artigue or with a long stage from Luchon to Fos: Contact us). From Artigue village, you cross a high col called the col de la Peyrahitta at an altitude of 1947m. Just after the col, if you are feeling up to it, you have the chance to climb the Pic de Bacanère, 2193m, this is a good variant and links up with the lake of Dessus. After having crossed Cigalères ridge (2093m) you pass one cabin after another before arriving at the village of Fos at an altitude of 544m. Distance : 20km, duration : around 7h45, altitude gain : +1000m, descent : -1650m.

From the village of Fos and the Comminges, after a long climb and crossing the Col d'Auéran, at 2176m altitude, you leave the Haute Garonne for the Ariège and the Couserans. From the pass, you can see the beautiful site of the Araing refuge, the finish line of the stage, located near the pond of the same name beneath the cliffs of the Crabère summit. The landscapes we've crossed are a harbinger of the wilderness of this Pyrenean region. Distance : 16km, duration : around 7h, altitude gain : +1700m, descent : -300m. 

This section links Etang d'Araing to Eylie d'en Haut. It crosses the first part of Ariège by passing through a series of small mountain villages, the architecture and ambience are not to be missed. This stage being very short, it is possible to climb the Pic de l'Har (2424m), a remarkable viewpoint on the high peaks of the Couserans and the Pyrenean foothills. Distance : 8km, duration : around 4h15, altitude gain : +400m, descent : -1350m. OR Distance : 10km, duration : around 5h30, altitude gain : +600m, descent : -1550m (Pic de l’Har variant).

This is a stage on paths that are often on balconies, between the high mountains and the Couserans foothills. You'll leave behind the Mont Valier massif, the emblematic summit of the Couserans, while enjoying superb views of the latter and other high peaks in the area. The charming little pond at Ayes will also brighten up the route, before you reach the Col de la Core. At the end of the hike, transfer from Col de la Core to St Lizier d'Ustou to avoid a section of the GR10 without accommodation. However, it is possible to hike to St Lizier d'Ustou via a variant of the GR10 (Tour du val du Garbet), please consult us. Distance : 13,5km, duration : around 6h30, altitude gain : +1250m, descent : -800m.

From the pretty hamlet of St Lizier d'Ustou, nestled in the heart of a very green valley, you reach the Escots pass. From the latter, there is a beautiful view of the last high peaks of the Couserans. Then you will head towards the spa village of Aulus les Bains via the Casérien cirque and the pretty Fouillet waterfall. A possible detour via Guzet and the Ars waterfall will allow you to admire one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Pyrenees. Distance : 15 km, duration : around 6h30, altitude gain : +1100m, descent : -1100m OR Distance : 23km, duration : around 9h, altitude gain : +1450m, descent : -1450m (via Ars waterfall).