Saint Lary offers a range of hiking experiences: a marked route with a stated average walking time, a challenging circular hike and a pilgrimage route with named stops. In the village, the Église Saint-Hilaire and the Monument aux morts offer a different focus. If you are planning a stay, you can choose between nature trails, a specific hiking destination and local history.
Hiking trails with different focuses
The marked Sentier de découverte de Haute Bellongue has an elevation gain of 390 metres and an average round-trip walking time of four hours. The time and elevation gain provide two specific points of reference for planning this hike. Check the trail conditions locally before setting out.
The route to Col de Piejau is a challenging circular hike. It passes through the hamlets of Saint-Lary, across pastures and through the state-owned beech forest of Couhos, continuing as far as a forest hut. Its combination of a circular route, pastureland and beech forest distinguishes its description from a hike for which an average walking time is the main detail provided. Difficulty and conditions can vary by season; check both before your hike.
A pilgrimage route leads from Saint-Lary to Col de la Hourque, via Escarchein and on to Portet. Here, the sequence of named places and the mountain pass indicates the direction. This is a different focus from the circular hike to Col de Piejau: the emphasis is on the sequence of places along a pilgrimage route, not on a circular route.
The route to Pic de la Calabasse offers views of high peaks in Ariège, Haute-Garonne and Hautes-Pyrénées. It also crosses different ecosystems of the Pyrenees. Access to the ascent is from the village of St-Lary, via the D57 and D157, to the car park at the end of the road. As access details may change, check this information before driving.
Church, memorial and event dates
The Église Saint-Hilaire stands at the junction with the road to Col de Portet d’Aspet. Its interior is entirely decorated with painted designs. Its location at the road junction and the painted interior are two specific features of the church; it offers a cultural point of interest alongside the hiking trails described here.
The Monument aux morts de Saint-Lary was inaugurated on 1 November 1920. In 2005, it was relocated and renovated. The two dates mark different stages in its history: its inauguration and the later change of location and renovation. Along with the Église Saint-Hilaire, the memorial is one of the village’s named historic landmarks.
The Saint-Lary spring fair takes place every first weekend in May and features stalls run by local craftspeople. If you want to plan your trip around this date, check the current programme, as the exact details may change. The Calabasstrail, held on the last weekend in September, offers two races and a hike. Check the event date and format before making plans.
Discover more destinations: BĂ©lesta, Biert, Ascou, Malegoude, BĂ©deilhac-Et-Aynat, Pamiers, Buzan, L'aiguillon.
For the regional travel overview: Ariège.
