Perdiguero
3,222 m
France, Spain
Also known as Pico Perdiguero, Pic Perdiguère, +3Also known as
Pico Perdiguero · Pic Perdiguère · Pic Perdiguère / Tuca de'l Perdiguero · Pic de Perdiguere · Пердигеро
- Elevation
- 3,222 m
- Prominence
- 621 m
- Difficulty
- 4/10
- Alpine hike
- Best Season
- Aug–Sep
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1Sources differ: Randonneur, with a II chimney (topopyrenees.com)
The French normal route, usually over two days: an old mule track of about 1,450 m from the Granges d'Astau past the Lac d'Oô to the Refuge du Portillon (2,570 m), then scree and a lingering snowfield to the Col Supérieur de Litérole (3,049 m), a 30 m chimney (II) and an easy frontier ridge. 4½ hours to the hut, 2¼–2½ hours hut to summit.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 13.7 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +2,237 m
- −150 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 3,222 m
- Time Up
- 9h 28m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 6h 41m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the Granges d'Astau car park (about 1,140 m), reached from Bagnères-de-Luchon via the D618 and D76 through Oô, follow the track to the Lac d'Oô (1,504 m) and its hut, then the path climbing left above the lake to the Col d'Espingo and the Refuge d'Espingo (1,967 m), about 2 hours. Continue past the Lac Saussat on the well-trodden, partly paved old mule track to the Portillon dam and the Refuge du Portillon (2,570 m), about 2½ hours more; most parties sleep here. From the hut cross the dam and follow the balcony path east above the lake. At about 2,640 m, where a path continues left into the lower Litérole valley towards the Col Inférieur de Litérole, bear right (south-west, white arrow) on a marked trail round the lake, cross a scree zone of big pale blocks and, at about 2,820 m, turn left up the moraine and the upper Litérole valley to the Col Supérieur de Litérole (3,049 m), 1¾–2 hours from the hut. A large snowfield usually fills the valley; go round it on the left, and early in the season crampons and an ice axe may be essential. From the col follow the frontier ridge south-west. It begins with a chimney of about 30 m (II, hands needed; some prefer to bypass the lowest step on the right through big blocks), then the crest is easy and exposed in places, either near the crest or on cairned traces on the French side, to the large cairns on the summit (about 30 minutes from the col). Pic Hito (3,176 m) is a 10-minute side trip. Descend the same way: about 1½ hours to the hut and 3 hours from the hut to Astau. A popular variant climbs the lower Litérole valley and traverses the ridge over the Pointe de Litérole and Pic Royo to the upper col, with a delicate downclimb (IV) at its start.
Start
Granges d'Astau1,135 m
- Train from Toulouse to Montréjeau, then coach to Bagnères-de-Luchon; a summer shuttle (July–August) from the Luchon tourist office serves the Granges d'Astau according to the hut.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Granges d'Astau → Refuge du Portillon | 11.0 | 1,548 | 118 | 6h 46m |
| 2 | Refuge du Portillon → Perdiguero | 2.7 | 689 | 30 | 2h 41m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Granges d'Astau1,135 m
- Feature: Lac d'Oô1,507 m
- Hut: Refuge d'Espingo1,951 m
- Hut: Refuge du Portillon2,566 m
- Col: Col Supérieur de Litérole3,048 m
- Summit: Perdiguero3,222 m
Key Passages
- Old mule track from Espingo to the Portillon dam
- Fork at about 2,640 m: keep right round the lake, not up the lower Litérole valley
- Scree and snowfield in the upper Litérole valley
- 30 m chimney (II) at the start of the ridge
- Easy, exposed frontier ridge to the summit
Equipment
0/6 packedDownloads
Route confidence 80%Overview
The highest point of Haute-Garonne (3,222 m), on the French–Spanish border between Luchon and Benasque. From the Refuge du Portillon, a short scramble up a chimney and an easy frontier ridge lead to one of the most accessible 3,000 m summits of the Luchonnais.
Perdiguero (Pic Perdiguère in French) is the highest summit of the Perdiguère massif and of the French department of Haute-Garonne, standing on the frontier ridge between the Oô valley above Bagnères-de-Luchon and the Estós and Literola valleys above Benasque in Aragon. It rises above the Portillon cirque, a basin of lakes and scree ringed by a dozen 3,000 m peaks, with the Maladeta and Posets massifs close by to the south.
The French normal route is a classic two-day Pyrenean outing: a long climb on an old, partly paved mule track past the Lac d'Oô and Espingo to the Refuge du Portillon at 2,570 m, then about 650 m of scree, snow and ridge to the summit. Technically it is modest, with a 30 m chimney (II) and an easy but airy ridge, so it is popular with experienced walkers ticking off Pyrenean 3,000ers. Neighbouring summits such as Pic Hito, Pic Royo and the Pointe de Litérole can be added along the ridge.
From Spain, a very long but technically easier route climbs from the Estós valley up the south flank and south-east shoulder without any scrambling. The summit is broad enough for bivouac sites, and gives a wide view over the central Pyrenees.
Climbing Notes
Plan two days: about 4½ hours and 1,450 m to the Refuge du Portillon, then 2¼–2½ hours to the summit and the full descent to Astau (about 4½ hours) on day two. You need fitness for long days, sure-footedness on scree and blocks, and comfort with an exposed chimney (II) and ridge. Snow fills the upper Litérole valley well into summer; before late July crampons and an ice axe are often essential. The hut is staffed from mid-May to mid-October and booking ahead is advisable in summer. Watch the fork at about 2,640 m: many walkers head up the lower Litérole valley by mistake. Start early to avoid afternoon storms on the ridge.
History
The first ascent was made by Toussaint Lézat with Jean Redonnet ('Michot') in the 1850s; French Wikipedia gives 1852. Charles Packe climbed it around 1860–1861 and Henry Russell solo in 1863. Roger de Monts and Célestin Passet made the first winter ascent in January 1888. Franz Schrader drew a panorama from the summit with his orograph on 31 August 1879.
Season
Best Aug–Sep- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Possible
- April: Possible
- May: Possible
- June: Possible
- July: Good
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Possible
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Winter; ski-mountaineering only, hut unstaffed
- Feb
- Winter; ski-mountaineering only
- Mar
- Ski-touring from Spain (Literola, Remuñe valleys) for experienced parties
- Apr
- Spring ski-touring
- May
- Hut opens mid-May; heavy snow on the route
- Jun
- Snowfields in the Litérole valley; crampons and axe needed
- Jul
- Snowfield often still present until late July
- Aug
- Best conditions; afternoon storms
- Sep
- Often stable and quieter
- Oct
- Hut staffed until mid-October; early snow possible
- Nov
- Winter conditions
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- Book the Refuge du Portillon online via the FFCAM site or by phone (09 88 66 99 67); staffed 14 May – 18 October 2026.
- Fees
- Refuge du Portillon 2026: overnight EUR 23 (EUR 11.50 for FFCAM and reciprocal members), half board EUR 54 (EUR 42.50 members); unstaffed period EUR 8 per night
- Getting There
Bagnères-de-Luchon (France); Benasque (Spain)
Toulouse-Blagnac (TLS)
- Car: from Bagnères-de-Luchon on the D618 towards the Col de Peyresourde, then the D76 through Oô to the Granges d'Astau car park (about 11 km)
- Train from Toulouse to Montréjeau, then TER coach to Luchon; a summer shuttle (July–August) from the Luchon tourist office serves Astau
- Alternative approach from Superbagnères (gondola from Luchon) over the Col de la Coume de Bourg: about 16 km and 7 hours to the hut
- From Spain: the Estós valley above Benasque
Hazards
- Exposure
- Rockfall
- Weather
- Avalanche
Huts & Shelters
2- 1,967 m
Refuge d'EspingoRefuge
- 2,570 m
Refuge du PortillonRefugeStaffed
80 beds · Staffed 14 May – 18 October 2026; 30-place unstaffed dormitory outside the season