Col de Peyresourde

A short and sweet walk from the Val Louron's other quintessential mountain pass. 

DISTANCE: 4km
APPROX TIME: 1 hour
START: Col de Peyresourde
FINISH: Col de Peyresourde

In the last blog post, we explored the Col d'Azet on the western side of the Val Louron. This time, we shall explore the Col de Peyresourde, on the eastern side of the valley. Both mountain passes are significant for featuring in this year's Tour de France. This pass, however, is notably different to Azet, as it is much steeper on either side of the road which rides over the mountain pass, and there is a nifty little cafe in the centre. Looking over the other side of the Col arguably opens up even more views than the Col d'Azet, as we shall see.



Begin at the Col, and then walk back down the road towards the Val Louron. After less than a hundred metres, a wide track veers off to your right up the hillside. Follow this round - it starts relatively steep before easing slightly, then steepens again. You will then dogleg back on yourself up the hill, and then again, before coming to a fork in the road. Take the right-hand fork.

Following this fork, you will hit a fenced-off forest, with barriers erected to prevent avalanche. Walk parallel with the fence for a short section, and as you reach the brow of the hill (with the views to the east beginning to emerge) you should see a small footpath going up the hill to the left.

The view southwards.

The path is indistinct, but persevere up the hillside - it is relatively steep but not dangerous. At the top of the first ascent, you will come across a very curious object: perhaps a gas canister of a milk churn; the cylinder appears to have been there for almost a century - some of the graffiti on it includes the dates "1930, "1922" and even "1919".  Stop for awhile here, and then follow the path round the contour slightly to the highest point, and take in the view.

The long forgotten canister sits in front of the mountain scenery.

The immediate views to the north are quite Lake District-esque: rolling green hills with pointed ridges. To the west, you can see back to the col d'Azet, and beyond it the white behemoths of Pic de Neouvielle and its neighbours. To the north, you can now see the familiar sights at the head of the Val Louron disguise even bigger beasts; craggy monsters draped in snow. To the east, tremendous monoliths of the Spanish Pyrenees can be seen in the gaps between the relatively small peaks in the foreground.

The view towards the Col d'Azet and beyond.

Once you have taken in the views, you can continue to explore these Lakeland-like mountains around the Col de Peyresourde. Otherwise, retrace our steps.

Beginning the descent.

The other quintessential mountain pass of the Val Louron, the Col de Peyresourde offers great views both near and far. Recommended.