The official Col de Portet d'Aspet–Pic de Paloumère circular hiking trail starts and ends in Portet-D'aspet. It is classified as a moderately difficult route covering 6.7 kilometres; the stated duration is three hours, with a positive elevation gain of 531 metres. The trail passes through a beech forest and then across steep meadows, providing access to the 1,608-metre-high Pic de Paloumère. This gives hikers both specific route details and a description of the landscape to help plan their walk.
Hiking and pilgrimage: two different route profiles
The circular trail listing was updated on 11 August 2026. Check conditions before setting out. The GR 78 offers a different format: in Haute-Garonne, it connects Portet-D'aspet with Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges. Via Portet-D'aspet, it runs as a pilgrimage route along the northern side of the Pyrenees towards Santiago de Compostela. The route is classified as a difficult hike covering 48 kilometres, with red-and-white markings. Compared with the moderately difficult circular trail to Pic de Paloumère, the difference is therefore not only the length but also the stated difficulty. The route description was updated in August 2026; check conditions and trail markings before setting out.
The Col de Portet-d'Aspet by bike
The history of cycling is also part of the Col: the Col de Portet-d'Aspet was first crossed by the Tour de France in 1910, with Oscar Lapize. The climb to the Col from Aspet reaches 1,069 metres and covers 14.30 kilometres. It gains 594 metres in elevation, with a maximum gradient of 13 percent. These figures give the climb a specific profile. They answer a different planning question from its historical connection to the Tour de France: here, the focus is on distance, elevation gain and gradient. Road conditions may vary; check them before riding up.
Churches and historical details
The Église Saint-Roch contains 15th-century carved baptismal fonts, a polychrome wooden altar dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and a tabernacle carved from a tree trunk. The massive tower, with its loopholes, is also part of the church's appearance. This defensive feature may be older than the church itself.
The Chapelle Notre-Dame de Pomès was built from 1630 onwards. Its notable features include the floor covering and an 18th-century altarpiece. Saint-Roch displays carved furnishings and a defensive tower; at Pomès, the construction date, floor covering and altarpiece provide other historical clues. The sacred buildings can thus be understood through their different architectural and decorative details.
Plan your stay around your main interest
When looking for a hotel in Portet-D'aspet, your planned activity is a useful starting point: the circular hiking trail to Pic de Paloumère starts and ends in the village, while the described cycling climb starts in Aspet and leads to the Col. The hiking routes also differ considerably in length and stated difficulty. Those interested in a multi-day hike on the GR 78 will find that details about its route, markings and pilgrimage destination offer a different planning perspective from the shorter circular trail. The churches add a cultural focus to these routes, which can be explored through their architectural and decorative features.
Discover more destinations: Cugnaux, Vallègue, Mondonville, Mauvaisin, Avignonet-Lauragais, Bruguières, Roques, Montmaurin
For the broader travel overview: Haute-Garonne.
