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LES CHEMINS DE LA LIBERTÉ : DE SALÉCHAN À LES (ESPAGNE)
Description
From the villages of the Garonne Valley to the ridges overlooking the Val d’Aran, the Path of Liberty combines mountain walking with the history of the routes to Spain. On the first day, the route gradually leaves the inhabited areas behind, passing along the ‘Chemin Pédagogique de la Liberté’ and the chapel at Soueste, before heading through the forest to the Planet hut. The following day, the route climbs towards the Pic de Bacanère before crossing the border, then descends through the mountain pastures towards the Aranese villages of Bausen and Les.
This two-day trek is aimed at experienced walkers. Its long ascent, ridge walk and descent into the Val d’Aran require a good level of fitness, self-reliance and careful preparation.
This route can be split into two days of hiking.
Day 1: Set off from Saléchan station towards the Planet hut (hut open, capacity 4 people).
18 km and 1,500 m of elevation gain
The first day involves a gradual ascent from the Garonne valley towards the first expansive high-altitude landscapes, passing through the villages of Cierp Gaud, Marignac and the stunning setting of the Chapelle de Soueste.
Not to be missed: Lake Cierp, the first views of the Pic du Gar, the ‘Sentiers de la Liberté’ educational trail, the Soueste Chapel, the ridge route to Taons de Bacanère…
Day 2: the Planet hut area in Les.
The second day leads to the Taons de Bacanère Pass, a symbolic turning point towards Spain, then descends towards Bausen and Les. This section of the route strongly reflects the historical significance of the path: crossing the border did not always mean immediate freedom, as some escapees were still arrested on their descent towards the Val d’Aran.
Not to be missed: the panoramic views from the ridges of Le Burat and the Pic de Bacanère, crossing the border at the Col des Taons de Bacanère, the succession of high-altitude landscapes, and the Aranese villages of Bausen and Les.
As the route is not a loop, it is advisable to arrange for a car transfer, a private shuttle, or a return journey by public transport, depending on the time of year.
For a two-day hike, you may wish to spend the night camping: there are three unmanned huts open to the public.
Plagnette Hut: This unmanned, open hut, situated at an altitude of 1,320 m above Baren, offers rustic shelter: a table, benches and a sleeping bench for six people. There is a water source nearby.
The Planet hut, at 1,600 m, is a very small, unmanned shelter with sleeping space for 4 people. It has a wood-burning stove, low benches, a table and an emergency water source about 500 m below.
The Vaquèr de Saplan hut, at 1,618 metres, has a table, benches and a bench seat for 4 people.
These huts are freely accessible, with no booking required. Nevertheless, please bring your own camping equipment and do not leave any rubbish behind.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Additional information
Elevation gain
2456 (High)
Signage
Yellow
Detailed stages
1 - From Saléchan–Siradan station, walk through the first narrow streets and head towards the wooded valley in the direction of Estenos. After a downhill stretch along a cobbled path, walk along the upper edge of the village and cross the stream near its waterfall.
2 - The route then joins the A-road. Follow it with great care for about 1 km, until you reach the Pyrénées’Hô area, then head towards Lake Cierp. Walk along the lake, cross the small wood and make your way to Cierp via the side streets. The village shops are a good place to stock up on supplies before the climb.
3 - Continue towards Marignac and the Place des Évadés, where the ‘Chemin pédagogique de la Liberté’ (Freedom Educational Trail) begins. Head up the road through the woodland until you reach the junction with the GR86. The climb alternates between steeper sections and forest tracks as you head towards the Soueste Chapel. Along the way, a viewing point offers a stunning view of the Pic du Gar.
4 - The Soueste Chapel is an ideal spot for a lunch break. Situated at a vantage point, it offers a beautiful panoramic view and has picnic tables and a fountain where you can fill up with water.
5 - From the chapel, continue uphill along a track near a barn, then make your way to the Tréboucas plateau, at an altitude of 1,000 metres. The plateau offers a stunning view.
6 - The route then follows several narrow paths and logging tracks which join a forest track. Continue along the stony track until you reach the junction signposting the Planet hut. A short round trip takes you to the Plagnette hut, which is a strategic point for water management: it is the last water source before a long stretch of the route.
7 - Return to the crossroads and head back towards the ridges, the Pic de Burat and the Planet hut. A steep path climbs straight up the slope, winding through woods and glades. It’s a sustained climb, but gaps in the vegetation gradually reveal stunning views of the 3,000-metre-plus peaks of the Luchon region, notably the Maladeta massif and Pic d’Aneto in the background.
8 - Carry on to Planet’s hut, which is the recommended stop-off point for this first day.
9 - From Planet’s hut, continue along the hillside beneath the Mail de la Pique towards the Pic du Maupas. The path crosses a short rocky section, then climbs more steeply towards the Port de Burat area and the Col d’Escloudaou. Keep an eye out for the trail in the open sections and on the ridges.
10 - The route then joins the GR10 and heads towards the Pic de Bacanère, the highest point of the crossing. From there, head down the ridge towards the Col des Taons de Bacanère. This stretch marks the entrance to the Val d’Aran and offers sweeping views across both sides of the Pyrenees.
11 - On the Spanish side, gradually make your way down from the higher ground through the pastures. The Vaquèr de Saplan hut serves as a landmark on the descent.
12 - A long descent continues towards Bausen. The landscape gradually changes: the mountain pastures give way to wooded areas, then to the outskirts of this Aranese village with its stone and slate houses.
13 - The descent can be gruelling after all those kilometres spent on the hills.
14 - From Bausen, follow the signposted route towards Les. The route passes through the area around the Vernet viewpoint before reaching the valley floor and the village of Les.
Services at the starting point
Nearby train station
Car parking
End town
LES
Contact
Tel : 05 61 79 21 21
Email : info@pyrenees31.com
Website : https://www.pyrenees31.com
Start town
SALECHAN
Data producer
Contact : HAUTE-GARONNE TOURISME / OFFICE DE TOURISME PYRÉNÉES 31
Phone : 05 61 79 21 21
This information comes from the Haute-Garonne Departmental Tourism Network and is synchronized as part of the partnership between Cirkwi and Haute-Garonne Tourisme.
Data author
