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LES CHEMINS DE LA LIBERTÉ (OPUS 1) : DU PORT DE BALÈS À PORTET-DE-LUCHON

Credit : Jean-Paul Chambrillon

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Description

The Paths to Freedom are routes taken by around 90,000 people during the Second World War: members of the Resistance, Allied pilots, Jews and those who refused to take part in the STO.... In attempting to reach Spain, they all hoped to escape the threat of Nazism that endangered their very existence.
Haute-Garonne Tourisme and the association “Paths of Freedom through the Comminges and the Val d’Aran” invite you to discover the first section of this route, from Port de Balès to Portet de Luchon.

This walk is suitable for families, provided they are wearing good walking boots. The elevation gain is 547 m, but the route is mostly downhill, with an elevation loss of over 1,000 m.

By taking this route via the Port de Balès, you’ll be following in the footsteps of André Bon. This escapee was taken to Saléchan station via Toulouse thanks to the Françoise resistance network, an early ‘helper’ who played a part in the escape of at least 700 people.
Like André Bon, who made it all the way to Bénasque in Spain, thousands braved the dangers of the mountains in the hope of finding freedom beyond the peaks of the Pyrenees.
A perilous and gruelling human endeavour, this arduous crossing claimed the lives of more than 2,200 people, victims of the mountains or of Nazi troops.
You who are following in the footsteps of these unsung heroes – the escapees, the smugglers, the networks of helpers, the anonymous individuals who contributed to the rescues, many of whom never returned… Do not forget them.”

To find out more about the history of these fugitives and their smugglers: the “Chemins de la liberté par le Comminges et le Val d’Aran” association.

To enjoy your hike in complete peace and discover the local flora and fauna, a mountain guide can accompany you on your walk: www.pyrenees31.com/eandonnees.

Technical Information

Walking

Difficulty

Medium

Duration

4h30mn

Dist.

14 km

Altimetric profile

Starting point

31110 BOURG-D'OUEIL

Lat : 42.8740709Lng : 0.50039783

Points of interest

PORT DE BALÈS

- OFFICE DE TOURISME PYRENEES 31 -

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OFFICE DE TOURISME PYRENEES 31

Luchon, the heart of the Pyrenees Mountains. Nestled at the foot of the highest peaks of the Pyrenees mountains, this hot springs resort benefits from an exceptional environment. With Superbagnères (ski resort) overlooking it, this town is the ideal starting off place for all kinds of outdoors activities : mountain biking, trekking of all sorts, paragliding, fast water sports... a complete range of leisure activities. Try out the pleasures of a well-being session in the recently renovated hot-springs spa, guaranteed pleasure! In the neighbouring valleys of “Luchon country” you'll find thirty small Roman churches, simple yet magnificent with cave paintings which have been recently restored.

18 Allées d'Etigny BP 29 31110 BAGNERES-DE-LUCHON

- Haute-Garonne Tourisme -

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LA SOULAN

La Soulan, l'Ensoleillée in Occitan, is nestled in a small mountain village, facing due south. This converted former barn offers a magnificent view of the 3000m peaks. For the Christmas and New Year holidays: minimum 3-night rental for the entire gîte on a half-board basis (breakfast and meals served by the owners). The rest of the year, a minimum of 1 night's rental, per room, on a half-board basis.Jean-François and Nathalie welcome you in a very friendly family atmosphere for a stopover or a stay around their table d'hôtes in the evening for a 'nature' stay... Children's play area, large selection of books on the Pyrenees... Nearby: Peyragudes 8km away (skiing, mountain biking), hiking at Lac d'Oô, Bagnères-de-Luchon 10km away (shops, thermal baths, skiing, paragliding, golf, lake, horse riding), restaurant at Cirés 13km away, Antignac leisure centre (fishing, rafting, canoeing, paintball) 14km away, cross-country skiing at Bourg d'Oueil 15km, hiking at Port de Balés 20km and the Balnéa thermal baths at Loudenvielle, the Pyrénées-Hô tree-climbing park 27km, Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges 43km and Montréjeau 48km (train station, swimming lake, golf course). On-site activities: skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, white-water rafting, paragliding, mountain biking, spa and leisure facilities and the possibility of themed holidays (with mountain service providers). Bike shed. Laundry room for drying your ski gear. Public car park 20m from the gîte. Our group gîte has 5 bedrooms and 13 beds: - on the ground floor, the Dream Team room has 6 bunk beds (90*200cm), a private shower room with toilet, outside, and access to a terrace with panoramic views (rate €91/room/night); and the Double room: 1 bed (140*190cm), private shower room with separate toilet, inside. You have access to the same terrace as the Dream Team room: rate €91/room/night. - On the first floor is the Double room with 1 bed 140*190cm and the Twin room with 2 beds 90*200cm. These two rooms have a shared bathroom with bath and toilet on the landing: rate €53/room/night. Fifth room: Mezzanine with 2 beds 90*200cm and 1 bed 140*200cm with private shower room and toilet: price 91€/room/night. Minimum stay of 1 night all year round and 3 nights during the Christmas and New Year holidays on a half-board basis.

62 rue des Trois Fontaines Gîte Auberge La Soulan 31110 CATHERVIELLE

- Haute-Garonne Tourisme -

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Additional information

Elevation gain

547 (Medium)

Detailed stages

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!
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.

Services at the starting point

Car parking

End town

PORTET-DE-LUCHON

Contact

Tel : 05 61 95 44 44
Email : olivetains@tourismehg.com

Start town

BOURG-D'OUEIL

Data producer

Contact : HAUTE-GARONNE TOURISME / LES OLIVÉTAINS
Phone : 05 61 95 44 44

This information comes from the Haute-Garonne Departmental Tourism Network and is synchronized as part of the partnership between Cirkwi and Haute-Garonne Tourisme.