The way, accomodation, resupply, daily stages, GPS tracks of the hike along Garonne river from Toulouse to its source.

Garonne : from Toulouse to its source

From Toulouse to Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges along Via Garona, a discovery of the river, its wild environment, historic sites with the Pyrenees in the background. The proposed path differs sometimes from the marked GR for wilder or more direct parts. This way is 24km shorter than the GR861.
Then, the way takes place in the mountains with extraordinary panoramas to arrive at the source of the Garonne (Güells del Joeu and Trou du Toro) before returning to France, in Luchon by the mythical Port of Vénasque.
There are many path options in the Pyrenees. See the page Hiking through Pyrenees.

Internet websites :

The guide book (in French) of Via Garona is available in the site of FFRP.
See the site of ACIR, Compostela Paths Agency, for cultural information, stages, accommodation on Via Garona.
Via Garona and other hikes through the Pyrenees are described (GPS tracks, PDF files with description and map to download, cultural information) on the site Cirkwi.com.
For all France, the site gites-refuges.com is useful for information on huts and “gîtes d’étape” and that Refuges.info for huts and shelters.
Specifically for the Pyrenees, the site Pyrenees-refuges.com is very complete on this massif.

Lexicon :

Bivouac: wild camping, usually according to French regulation, in a small tent (where you can’t standing) and pitched only for the night.
Abri: shelter. It’s unclosed (no door, some with just a roof) quite similar to those on the Appalachian Trail.
Cabane: small hut or shelter. It has a door. Some “cabanes” are occupied in summer by shepherds and open the rest of the year.
Refuge non gardé : unattended hut. Unlike a simple “cabane”, usually there are beds with mats.
Refuge: hut. You sleep in dorms, they can provide meals. Some of them even have showers.
Gîte d’étape: It’s like a refuge (or hostel) but accessible by road. You sleep in dorms (some have also bedrooms), they can provide meals. You will find “gîtes d’étape” on the main hiking trails.

Useful informations :

Accomodation and resupply :
See the board below. It is possible to regularly find budget accommodation (gîtes d’étapes, campings, refuges). In the Pyrenean part of the route, in addition to the refuges (see table below), there are several open cabins. See the website Pyrénées-refuges for more information .

Water :
From Toulouse to Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges, water in the villages (taps in cemeteries, public toilets in many of the villages crossed).
In the Pyrenees, there are often fountains in the villages and springs in the mountains (indicated on the IGN maps).

Trail marks :
Via Garona (GR861) is well marked from Toulouse to Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges. The way proposed here does not always follow this path.
From Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges to Cierp-Gaud, parts are marked.
After Cierp-Gaud, the proposed way is on the GR86 (marked) then others marked paths in the mountain above Luchon. It is the same in the part in Spain and for the way back via the port of Venasque.
The marks are more difficult to follow on the way down from the Hospice de France to Bagnères-de-Luchon (but the trail is good).

Difficulties :
From Toulouse to Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges, the path can be slippery in rainy weather on the descents from the hills towards the Garonne valley (it may be preferable in these cases to stay on the roads). After Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges, the paths are not always marked and some passages are through the woods. In the high-altitude section, in addition to the risks associated with high mountains (weather, snow, etc.), after the Artiga de Lin refuge, there are two passages equipped with chains to climb to the Col du Toro.

When to hike it? :
The first part to Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges can be done all year round with a predilection for spring before the hot weather and while the summits are still snow-capped.
From Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges to the Col du Portillon, the trail is usually passable from mid-May.
Then, with the way through high Pyrenean passes, is a mountain path practicable normally from the end of June until the fall. It requires special attention. Snow may remain late in the season. The weather can be difficult. All necessary precautions should therefore be taken.

Hiking through the Pyrenees:
To continue towards Spain through the Pyrenees, there are many possibilities from Saint -Bertrand-de-Comminges via the Piemont way or via the old passes of the Central Pyrenees used by pilgrims, merchants, fugitives…See the introduction page Hiking through the Pyrenees.

GPS track- maps :

For topographic maps of the French National Institute of Geography (IGN), see the website Geoportail.
With the website Brouter.de you can draw a GPS track following the existing ways and trails.
When I’m on my way, I’m using the Iphigénie application. With it, you can have offline IGN topographic maps (for France, Spain and Opentopomap). It’s also possible to send beacons of my position (if there is network); this can be reassuring on certain occasions.

GPS track along Garonne river from Toulouse to its source :

The track may be slightly offset from the reality on the ground. By using it, take into account the difficulties of certain parties. When passing on private land, ensure the owner’s authorization.
Link to download the GPX track :

The stages :

There are hotels and guesthouses in most of the large villages.

Garonne : Toulouse to  its source	Km	Total km	D+	Info
Toulouse – Saint-Sernin	0	0
Portet-sur-Garonne	12	12	90
Saubens	8	20	60
Muret	5	25	70	Gîte Oyasumimuret Tél.+336 84 14 88 42 – Gîte du Rayat Tél.+33 6 80 40 38 34 – Tous services
Toulouse to Muret		Stage almost entirely on paths in a rural environment. A discovery of the wild Garonne. Between Toulouse and Muret, the GR861 is marked by the Chapitre activity zone and the Récébédou residential area. It is possible to avoid this part and reach Portet sur Garonne by staying on paths and trails and with 1 kilometer less than the official route.
Noé	18	43	510	Hôtel l’Arche de Noé Tél.+33 5 61 87 40 12
Marquefave	8	51	140	Ferme Hôtel Boulage Tél.+33 5 61 87 40 12
Carbonne	4	55	30	Tous services. Hôtel L’Ardoise Gourmande Tél.06 08 98 84 19
Muret to Carbonne		Natural environment almost all day long with wild sections along the bed of the Garonne, parts on the hillsides overlooking the river and the plain, remarkable views of the hills with the Pyrenean barrier in the background. In rainy weather, some descents should be taken with caution. This is the case for the descent towards Mauzac and the one towards Noé. At Estantens, the Via Garona goes back down to the banks of the Garonne before climbing towards the chapel of Saint-Amans. I stayed on the hillsides.
Rieux-Volvestre	9	64	300	Camping Tél.+33 5 61 97 24 59 – Accueil randonneur et pèlerins Tél.+33 5 61 98 46 46 ou +33 6 82 19 36 47
Cazères-sur-Garonne	13	77	120	Tous services. Camping Le Plantaurel  Tél.+33 5 61 97 03 71
Carbonne to Cazères-sur-Garonne		Superb section from Carbonne to Rieux-Volvestre with views of the Pyrenees and the arrival at Rieux-Volvestre. From Carbonne, I took the marked path “la balade des Coteaux”. Be careful, the path is steep. In rainy weather, leave Carbonne via the bridge on the Rieux road and the official GR861 markings.
Martres-Tolosane	9	86	90	Commerces – Gîte d’étape et chambre d’hôtes « La maison Saint Roch »  Tél.+33 7 81 97 08 15 – Camping Le Moulin Tél.+33 5 61 98 86 40
Boussens	5	91	60	Camping municipal du Lac Tél.+33 5 61 90 03 60
Saint-Martory	10	101	300	Hôtel Chez Kiki Tél.+33 5 61 97 23 33
Cazères-sur-Garonne to Saint-Martory		From Martres Tolosane to Saint-Martory, the way is mainly on paths in an environment of hills and woods. Points of cultural interest: Palaminy, its castle, the Roucat house (old pilgrim’s lodge?), Martres Tolosane and its circular bastide, Mancioux with its old bridge on the Toulouse-Saint Bertrand road, its Saint-Jacques Majeur church, the castle of Montpezat and its viewpoints and Saint Martory.
Saint-Gaudens	23	124	470	Tous services – Hôtels
Saint-Martory to Saint-Gaudens		The way through the wild valley of Bonnefont and its abbey is the highlight of the day. After Saint-Martory, the Via Garona goes around the hill to join the Escalère gorge then the valley of the Bonnefont stream. After Bonnefont, the GR861 joins the Garonne valley. I reached Saint-Gaudens by a more direct way (3 kilometers less) mostly on small roads. This part offers some of the most beautiful views of the Pyrenees mountain range: from the Ariège peaks (3 Seigneurs, Mont Valier…) to the Hautes Pyrénées (Montaigu, Pic du Midi) via the Luchonnais and the Maladetta…200km of panorama!
Barbazan	16	140	340	Gîte la Sébastiane Tél.+33 6 63 84 21 09
Loures-Barousse	2	142	30	Camping municipal Tél.+33 5 62 99 29 29
Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges	4	146	80	Hébergements (hôtels, camping, accueil pèlerins) – Halte Saint-Jacques Tél.+33 5 61 88 31 54 / +33 6 30 21 63 35
Saint-Gaudens to Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges		This stage combines historical sites and a preserved natural environment. Over these 21km, from the church of Saint-Gaudens, you will reach Valentine passing in front of the cloister of the Azémar garden with its capitals from the abbey of Bonnefont, the Saint-Jacques chapel, the Montjoie de la Caoue. In Valentine, the path runs along the ruins of the Gallo-Roman villa and the religious complex with the remains of a Visigothic church and the tombs among which pilgrims with scallop shells and bumblebees have been discovered. The GR861 remains in the valley. It continues along the canal and joins Gourdan-Polignan. It is possible to reach Saint-Bertrand by a more direct route (3.5 kilometers less), while remaining wild with in particular from Labarthe Rivière to Barbazan, a route entirely on paths and GR. The end marks the apotheosis of this Garonne route. In Barbazan, the panorama dominates St Just and St Bertrand in the distance. After crossing the thermal park of Barbazan and Loures Barousse, the arrival with Saint Just de Valacabrère in the foreground and behind the hill of Saint Bertrand de Comminges is magical. All that remains is to climb up to the cathedral and after 147km to complete this beautiful Garonne route.
Thèbe	13	159	580	Centre de Montagne de Thèbe Tél.+33 5 62 40 58 97
Cierp-Gaud	11	170	660	Camping Municipal Tél.+33 5 61 79 50 73
Artigue	18	188	1 510	Gîte d’étape Eth Artigaou Tél.+33 6 82 44 02 25
Plateau du Campsaure	26	214	1 330	En dessous Hospice de France  Tél.+33 6 88 32 40 64
Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges to the pass of Portillon		This part in the mid-mountains is often possible from the end of spring (May). The way through Barousse valley to the Pique valley is mainly on paths that are often unmarked but without difficulty with a wilder part in the Hourmigué forest. Above Cierp-Gaud, a path join the GR86 then continue on the side via Artigue with beautiful views of the Luchonnais and the 3000 of the border ridge. After Artigue, several “cabanes” can be used to spend the night.
Artiga de Lin	10	224	680	Refugi dera Artiga de Lin  Tél.+34 662 59 44 44
Refuge de Venasque	12	236	1 280	Refuge de Venasque Tél.+33 5 61 79 26 46
Hospice de France	5	241	10	Hospice de France Tél.+33 6 88 32 40 64
Bagnères-de-Luchon	13	254	380	Gîte d’étape Le Lutin Tél. : 05.61.89.70.86. Gîte d’étape Le Skioura (sur la route de Vénasque) Tél. : 05.61.79.60.59. Campings. Hôtels toutes catégories avec en petits budgets : Le Faison Doré, le Chalet, le Portillon. Pont de Ravi : Gîte d’étape La Demeure de Vénasque Tél. : 05.61.94.31.96. Tous commerces
Pass of Portillon to the source of  Garonne river and back to Luchon		High mountain way to be done in summer after the snow has melted and with some more technical parts (passages with chains to climb to the Toro pass). Spectacular views of the Maladeta massif.