Pyrenees GR10 Stage 5 Trek: Bagnères-de-Luchon to Aulus-les-Bains

GR10 Stage 5 - Mont Valier

GR10 Stage 5 - Eylie d'en Haut

GR10 Stage 5 - Aulus les Bains

GR10 Stage 5 - Mont Valier

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Pyrenees GR10 Stage 5 Trek

Join a classic European long-distance route
Hike from Luchon to Aulus (110km)
Beautiful scenery and picturesque villages
Visit thermal baths
Trek the Ariège in the Pyrenean foothills
A remote and wild section of the GR10

Why Choose Cloud 9 Adventure

We are the GR10 experts
Outstanding fully-qualified guides
Authentic hotels, refuges and gites
Partial luggage support

Pyrenees GR10 Stage 5 Trek: Dates and Prices

AT A GLANCE

7 nights

6 days' trekking

Partial luggage delivery

Group size 4-10

Join: Bagnères-de-Luchon

End: Aulus-les-Bains

Nearest airports: Lourdes, Pau, Toulouse, Carcassonne

ACCOMMODATION

4 nights in hotels

2 nights in gîtes/ chambres d'hôtes

1 night in a refuge

DIFFICULTY GRADING

8

Challenging

Pyrenees GR10 Stage 5 Trek: Overview

The GR10 is one of Europe’s most iconic trekking routes, crossing the Pyrenees. We’ve broken it down into bite-sized week-long treks so you can join us for one or all eight. Welcome to Stage 5, a challening and remote section through the Ariège region and the Pyrenean foothills north of the Spanish-French border.

Stage 5 of the GR10 takes us from Bagnères-de-Luchon to Aulus-les-Bains, both thermal hotspots. The mountains in the Ariège region aren’t as high as those in the Haute Pyrenees and draw fewer visitors. This benefits us hugely as it adds a true feeling of raw wilderness to a wonderful week, where we’ll often be far from the madding crowd. Echoes of an ancient pastoral life are everywhere, including old shepherds' huts and structures. Look out for high-altitude flora like gispet grass, rhododendron flowers, blueberries and beech and fir forests.

What to expect

Due to these less frequented paths, facilities for hikers are not abundant so we’ll be resourceful. Expect some rustic and remote mountain refuges alongside the hotels that top and tail this stage. There are some very challenging days this week with serious ascents and descents, so you should be comfortable hiking for multiple days in the mountains carrying a full rucksack at times (luggage delivery is not possible on two nights due to the remote refuges). If you have any questions about joining this trip just get in touch with the Cloud 9 team and we'll be happy to help.

Pyrenees GR10 Stage 5 Trek: Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Bagnères-de-Luchon

The group will meet at our hotel in Luchon where your Cloud 9 guide will give an informal briefing about the days to come and will be happy to answer your questions. If arriving early, consider seeking out some thermal baths to visit.

Accommodation: hotel (dinner not included)

Luggage access: yes

Day 2 - Trek from Luchon to Fos (transfer to Artigue)

Today we'll take a short transfer (8km mainly uphill...) to begin the day's trekking in the hamlet of Artigue. You haven't escaped the uphill though, for there's an almost 1000m ascent to come over today's opening 8km or so, over easy grassy ridges to the Pic de Bacanère (2193m). Best to do that while fresh! After lunch, it's all downhill - via 50+ switchbacks - to your overnight stop in Fos.

Accommodation: gîte/ hotel, dinner included

Luggage access: yes

Walking: approx 7 hrs

Distance: 21km

Altitude gain / loss: +1100m / -1800m

Day 3 - Trek from Fos to l'Étang d'Araing

This morning we'll transfer to neighbouring Labach de Melles (to avoid several flat kilometres) for a more interesting start to today's 18km trek. Eat a hearty breakfast for there's a 15km ascent to the Pas de Bouc and Col de l'Auéran. End the day's efforts by dropping down to the robust-looking refuge for the night, at an altitude of 1965m (at the foot of Crabère). There's a reservoir to cool off in if need be. Get up early to catch a misty sunrise.

Accommodation: refuge, dinner included

Luggage access: no

Walking: approx 6.5 hrs

Distance: 18 km

Altitude gain / loss: +1700m / -300m

Day 4 - Trek from Etang d’Araing to Eylie d'en Haut

Yesterday was all about the ascent. Today, after a little summit to wake you up (Serre d'Araing at 2221m), it's mainly downhill to Eylie. If everyone's fighting fit and keen to get even higher, you might be able to persuade your guide to head up neighbouring Pic de l'Har too, at 2424m. En route you'll wind through mountain villages and reminders of the trade that used to make these mountain thrive: mining.

Accommodation: gîte d'étape (dormitory), dinner included

Luggage access: yes

Walking: approx 3.5 hrs

Distance: 8m

Altitude gain / loss: +300m / -1300m

Day 5 - Trek from Eylie d'en Haut to Bonac Irazein (or Les Bordes sur Lez)

Today, we take a recognised variant of the GR10 (in order to reach overnight accommodation stops). We begin with a sharp ascent before a gentle 12km descent fills the rest of our day down to Bonac, with a Relais Montagnard, tourist office, campsite and church in the area.

Accommodation: chambre d'hôte, dinner included

Luggage access: yes

Walking: approx 6 hrs

Distance: 15 km

Altitude gain / loss: +700m / -1000m

Day 6 - Transfer to Bouche, trek to Aunac

Our route variant continues with a quick transfer to begin our day in Bouche. The peak in our sights today is the Col de la Core, through the foothills of the Couserans. This area showcases the Ariège in its full verdant glory. Look out for mountain lakes, green oases and great views of passing mountain hamlets and Mont Valier. The hospitality at the Gite d’Etape in Aunac awaits, a very natural feeling stone and wood building with lovingly tended gardens.

Accommodation: hotel, dinner included

Luggage access: yes

Walking: approx 6 hrs

Distance: 18km

Altitude gain / loss: +1260m / -1248m

Day 7 - Transfer to St Lizier d'Ustou, trek to Aulus-les-Bains

Today brings dramatic waterfalls, cascading streams and...an elevation profile that looks like a camel's two humps. It's rather a long day that can be shortened to around six hours if energy levels demand, by taking a short-cut out from Jasse du Fouillet - the saddle between the two humps! Continue down into Aulus-les-Bains for a celebratory final night's meal with your trekking companions.

Accommodation: hotel, dinner included

Luggage access: yes

Walking: approx 9 hrs (or 6 hrs)

Distance: 23 km

Altitude gain / loss: +1400m / -1400m