Pyreneestrip
Mont Valier
Mont Valier in the evening light, seen from the Col de Péguère – photo Thomas
PeaksNature & viewsHikingFrance

Mont Valier

The Couserans' legendary mountain

The 2 838-metre summit can be seen from large parts of Ariège, and on a clear day all the way from Toulouse. The mountain is named after Saint Valier, the first bishop of the Couserans, and there are many legends about it. The ascent starts from Bordes-sur-Lez via the Refuge des Estagnous and normally takes two days – for experienced hikers. The view of the Valier is best from the Col de Péguère, the Col de Port and the Col d'Agnes, especially in the evening light.

Ascent

Height
2,838 m
Massif
Couserans
Country
Ariège, France
Grade
T4 · Very hard
Days
2 days
Season
July–September
Starting point
Pla de la Lau (970 m), Couserans
Mountain hut
Refuge des Estagnous (2 246 m)
Elevation gain
approx. 1 900 hm
Time
approx. 6 h up
First ascent
according to legend, Saint Valier in the 5th century

The mountain is named after the first bishop of Couserans. During the Second World War, escape routes crossed the mountains here into Spain.

How to get up – the normal route step by step

  1. Day 1: from Pla de la Lau up to Refuge des Estagnous.
  2. Day 2: over Col Faustin and up the south side to the summit.
  3. Descend the same way to Pla de la Lau.
SafetyVery long: 1 900 metres of ascent. Only for the very fit.

Day hike

Starting point
Pla de la Lau, Couserans
Distance
approx. 22 km return
Elevation gain
1 900 hm
Time
two days
Level
Very hard
Season
July–September

The proud summit of the Couserans (2 838 m) – for the very fit over two days with a night at the Refuge des Estagnous. The view stretches from Aneto to the plain around Toulouse.

Open in the interactive mapDirectionsPlaces to stay nearbyThings to do Affiliate link

42.7980° N, 1.0870° E

Road trips passing here

Nearby

Links