Chein-Dessus: Hiking, Mountain Biking and Horse Riding

Chein-Dessus offers several clearly distinct starting points for active days: a hiking trail at Col de Larrieu, mountain biking routes and opportunities for horse riding. If you are planning a stay, you can first choose your preferred activity and then consider the specific route features. The trails differ in length and route; when hiking, the landscape views described are also a factor.

Hiking at Col de Larrieu

The “Découverte du Col de Larrieu – N°35” hiking trail is located at Col de Larrieu in Chein-Dessus. The route description, updated in August 2026, mentions a forest trail and views of the surrounding landscape, the peaks and the Garonne plain. The combination of the forest trail and these views gives the hiking route a distinct connection to the landscape.

Mountain biking routes with different profiles

The “Découverte des hameaux de la vallée de l’Arbas” mountain biking route is listed in a communiqué on the Haute-Garonne département’s hiking plan dated 23 May 2025, with a length of 14,974 metres. It passes through Arbas, Castelbiague, Chein-Dessus and Montastruc-de-Salies. This describes a longer route that covers several municipalities.

The La Palombière Flow Trail is a blue enduro mountain biking route, 3 km long; its route description was updated in July 2026. The features listed include bermed turns, tables, jumps, a road gap and a natural pinch point. Its stated length and specific trail features clearly distinguish it from the mountain biking route that crosses several municipalities.

In August 2026, La Palombière is also listed as an official loop trail by Cagire Garonne Salat. A printed topoguide is available at the tourist office reception desks. For cycling, there is therefore both a loop trail with named technical features and a route with a specified length and a course through four municipalities.

Horse-riding trails and rides

The official Arbas–Chein-Dessus–Arbas horse-riding trail runs through the foothills of the Pyrenees, in the heart of the central Pyrenees. It can be done on horseback or with a donkey. The route description, updated in July 2026, also notes that the trail passes over Col de Larrieu. The Col is therefore a geographic reference point for two different activities: the hiking trail is located there, while the horse-riding trail passes through it.

For 2026, Cavalcagire, an equestrian centre in Chein-Dessus, lists horseback rides between the central Pyrenees and the Val d’Aran in Spain. This offers a different perspective on horse riding than the clearly named Arbas–Chein-Dessus–Arbas loop: here, the scope of the rides is described in terms of two larger geographic areas.

A cultural highlight

Chein-Dessus’s cultural heritage includes a 16th-century marble gallery. This historical feature provides a different focus from trails described in terms of length, route, forest or views. Those weighing up different interests for a stay will also find a cultural and historical point of interest in the village, alongside outdoor activities.

Comparing the activities

For the mountain biking routes, length is a concrete point of comparison: 14,974 metres for the “Découverte des hameaux de la vallée de l’Arbas” route, compared with 3 km for the La Palombière Flow Trail. For hiking and horse riding, the location at Col de Larrieu helps distinguish the two: the hiking trail is located there, while the horse-riding route passes over the Col. This makes it possible to compare the options by activity, route length and geographic location.

Discover more destinations: Lagarde, Garin, Saint-Orens-de-Gameville, Revel, Lanta, Le Born, Flourens, Larroque

For the broader travel overview: Haute-Garonne.