France - GR10 ➤ Section 5 - Luchon to Aulus les Bains
From Luchon to Aulus-les-bains, the GR10 follows the ancient paths used to communicate between the deep valleys. Here the route passes along fields and through dark forests through the villages of Artigue, Melles-en-Comminges, Eylie Bouche, Aunac and Bidous before arriving at another thermal spa: Aulus-les-bains.
The walk between Comminges and Couserans takes you through an impressive landscape of lush grasslands, rhododendrons, blueberry bushes and giant beech trees sharing space with spruce trees.
In Couserans you can see more traces of the past as the path leads you over various 'jasses' (areas where shepherds gathered their flocks near the river), to old mountain huts and ancient wardens. History is everywhere.
About the route
The walks follow good footpaths and the terrain is varied and often rocky. The route is marked in most places, but there may be challenges in some places where you will have to follow the material we give you. To go on this trip we recommend that you are in good shape and have experience of hiking in the mountains.
Great things about this tour
Photo gallery from the tour
Here you can see the stunning scenery and some of the views that come with walking this section of the GR10.
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You arrive at your first accommodation in Luchon. Depending on when you arrive, you may wish to visit the thermal baths or go on one of the two extra walks, which you can choose from in the material provided.
You'll start your first day of walking on the GR10 from Luchon to Aulus le Bains with a transfer to Artigue. From here you cross the high Col de la Peyrahitta (1947m). Immediately after the pass, you can climb the Pic de Bacanère (2193m) if you wish. This variation is not part of the GR10, but joins the route at Lake Dessus. Once you have crossed the ridge of the Cigalères (2093m), you pass one mountain hut after another before finally arriving at the village of Fos (544m).
Walking time: approx. 7½ hours
Distance: 20km
+1050 / -1720
The day starts again with a short transfer. This time to Labach de Melles. From here, the GR10 route climbs to an altitude of 980 m until you reach the foot of the Ariège mountains. From the Col d'Auéran mountain pass, the GR10 continues to Etang d'Araing, where you can enjoy the wide open spaces and views for which the area is famous. If the weather is good, you can climb Crabère (2629moh) and enjoy the stunning views from the top to the Maladeta massif.
Note: Tonight you will stay in a mountain hut to which luggage cannot be taken. Therefore you will have to pack bed/sleeping bag, toiletries, change of clothes etc. and carry it on the hike today. You will only be contacted about your luggage after the hike tomorrow.
Walking time: approx. 4½ hours or approx. 6½ hours
Distance: 9km or 12,5km
+1285 / -315 or +1660 / -690
This stage connects Etang d'Araing with Eylie d'en Haut. The route crosses the first part of the Ariége mountains through a series of small mountain villages - where you must remember to enjoy the special atmosphere and architecture. Today's stage is very short, but it is possible to extend the route and climb Pic de l'Har (2424moh), where there is a great viewpoint to some of the highest mountains in the Couserans region.
Walking time: approx. 4½ hours or approx. 5½ hours
Distance: 8km or 10km
+430 / -1375 or +580 / -1525
Today it's time for a wonderful hike in the heart of the Couserans region in Ariège-Pyrenees. You'll walk along good paths through small villages while enjoying the beautiful views.
Walking time: approx. 5½ hours
Distance: 15km
+890 / -1190
The day starts with a short transfer to Bouche. Today's hike alternates between high mountains and the hills of the Couserans region. There is a wealth of colour and an exceptionally beautiful landscape. You reach the Etang de Bathmale, set in a lush green oasis, and from Port de la Core (1395moh) there is a fine view of the Mont Valier nature reserve. Not forgetting the small cosy villages you pass through, where it feels like time stands still.
Walking time: about 6½ hours
Distance: 20,5km
+900 / -840
The day starts with a short transfer to St Lizier d'Ustou. Your last hike on the fifth section of the GR10 takes you to the spa town of Aulus les Bains, where the tour ends. If you wish, we can arrange a transfer to the train station at St Girons.
Walking time: approx. 6 hours
Distance: 20,5km
+900 / -990
Note: On our walking holidays we would normally have a night in the last town before checking out in the morning. However, on our GR10 trips we finish the sections without the last night because the next section has this "arrival night" included. Today you therefore have several options:
- If your walking holiday is only this section, you can either let the tour end with the arrival in the town, then continue to the airport or back to your car - or you can choose to add an "extra night in the last town" on the booking form.
- If you are walking several sections of the GR10, you don't need to choose an extra night here because it is already included in the next section (you can, however, choose an extra night anyway if you want a rest day).
SE THE NEXT SECTION OF THE GR10
Price includes
- 1 night in mountain hut in dormitory (day 3)
- 4 nights in hostels in dormitory (day 2, 4, 5 and 6 - can be upgraded: see practical info below)
- 1 night in 2-star hotel (day 1)
- Breakfast every day
- Dinner every day
- Carefully elaborated route descriptions maps and other materials
- Transfers as described in the programme
- 24-hour local and international service hotline for the duration of the tour
- This is a packaged holiday and is therefore covered by The Travel Guarantee Fund - See which benefits this means for you - click here
- Transportation to/from France
- Drinks with meals
- Handling fee (€20)
- Optional Accommodation upgrade (see more below)
Practical info
The price is based upon two people sharing. For safety reasons it is not possible to go on this tour as a solotraveler.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:
- Choose your desired start date
- Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
- Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).
Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.
The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.
Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from Biarritz or Toulouse in France are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
It works like this:
- You book your chosen holiday with us
- We confirm your holiday (usually within 48 hours)
- You arrange your transportation
Getting there
Here is a link for the perfect tool which will help you get an overview of how to get to the starting point of the tour: Rome2Rio
From the airport to Luchon
Getting from the airport to Luchon is easy. Get an overview of the options here:
From Toulouse: Rome2Rio
From Biarritz: Rome2Rio
Return from Aulus les Bains to Luchon
If you need to return to Luchon after the tour, we can arrange a transfer for you. This can be added upon booking.
Return from Aulus les Bains to the airport
Here's how to get from Aulus les Bains to the airport:
On this trip you will stay as follows:
- 1 night in mountain hut in dormitory (day 3)
- 4 nights in hostel in dormitory (days 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6)
If you wish to upgrade to the Comfort version of the tour, you will stay as follows:
COMFORT
- 1 nights in a 2-star hotel (days 1)
- 3 nights in a hostel in private rooms with shared bath/toilet (days 2, 5 and 6)
- 1 night in hostel in dormitory (day 4)
- 1 night in mountain hut in dormitory (day 3)
Note: Sleeping in dormitory is included in both versions of the tour and therefore it is necessary to bring a sheet/sleeping bag on the tour. You will be provided with blankets at all accommodations, so sheet bag will be sufficient.
On this trip, breakfast and dinner are included throughout the trip.
Included meals
Breakfast is standard "continental breakfast" with tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam etc.
Evening meals consist of 3-course menus with starter, main course and dessert.
Please note that drinks for the evening meals are not included in the price.
Lunch
Lunch is not included but can be purchased at the accommodation. It will typically be in the form of a picnic lunch that you take with you on the tour.
Luggage transfer is included on days 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7. The way it works is that on arrival at the first hotel you will receive your luggage tag in the welcome pack. You fill in the luggage tags and put them on your bag, where it will stay for the whole trip.
The luggage is collected around 9am each morning and arrives at the next hotel by 6pm (usually well before). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer, you will be informed of this on arrival.
One bag can be transported per guest and bags must not weigh more than 20kg.
IMPORTANT / NOTE: On this trip there is one day when luggage cannot be transported and therefore on that day you will need to pack and carry all necessary equipment on the hike (including a bed or sleeping bag). This is day 3, when you will have to carry necessities for the nights, as you will be without your luggage that night.
You will recieve the following documentation
Upon booking
You recieve practical information about the tour in a digital format
One month before arrival
You recieve your hotel list and your voucher (hotel list is often supplied upon booking)
Upon arrival
You recieve the welcome package which contains the printed version of the road book, luggage tags, local specific vouchers and if you have rented bikes then they will also be delivered and fitted at the first hotel.
This trip is aimed at the experienced hiker in good physical shape and with mountain hiking experience.
The hikes are on average 7-8 hours per day, the altitude difference on average 1000-1300 m. The tour follows accessible paths, but also on uneven terrain, with some minor technical difficulties. The walking times given are indicative, they are average times that only take into account the duration of the actual walk without taking breaks into account. Depending on the weather conditions, the walking pace may also vary.
The tour is grad 3-4 wich is elaborated on below.
Grade 3
Walking in hilly or mountainous terrain, with longer ascents and descents. You will walk 5-7 hours a day. Requires good fitness and good health, but no technical experience. Requires good footwear such as trekking or hiking boots.
Grade 4
Trekking with daily walks of 6-8 hours, often in difficult terrain and higher altitude. There will be longer ascents and descents. Requires endurance and strong knees and ankles. Requires good hiking boots and "outdoor" clothing. There will be major fluctuations in temperatures.
Read more about our Grading System
Here you can get an overview of the entire route and the elevation profile for each day. The data shows the data from the GPX-files related to the tour. Notice that the routes are sometimes updated, which means that there might be small variations.
Colors
Blue routes: The route as normal
Red routes: Variations/options (such as shortened or extended routes)
Travel Insurance In general we recommend that you are covered by a good travel insurance covering at least Medical Expenses, Illness, Personal Accident, Baggage and Repatriation. The customer is responsible to take the necessary travel insurance that covers these costs. Bering Travel, or our local partners, do not have any responsibility for our customers not being covered by a necessary travel insurance. You have to arrange your insurance in your home country.
It can be hard to plan your trip according to the weather, but to give an idea of the local climate, you can see the data below:
We are members of the Travel Guarantee Fund (nr. 2529) and have all available insurances. This covers you regardless of your nationality. Read more about that here.
Call our experts on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Phone: +44 20 3936 1208
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