Gouaux-De-Larboust: Skiing, Mountain Trails and Village History

Gouaux-de-Larboust is a mountain village with traditional stone and timber houses and slate roofs. Its village history and mountain activities go hand in hand when planning a trip. The Agudes side of Peyragudes is 2 km from the village centre and lies at an altitude of 1,600 to 2,300 metres. This lets you combine the character of the village with the activities on offer in the mountain landscape.

Winter sports on the Agudes side

Peyragudes offers skiing, snowboarding and adapted skiing (handiski). The ESF Les Agudes-Peyragudes offers lessons in alpine skiing, snowboarding, telemark, freestyle, off-piste skiing, ski touring and snowshoeing. The ESF offers both private and group lessons and also caters to groups. This brings together a range of disciplines: telemark and freestyle complement alpine skiing, while ski touring and snowshoeing offer other ways to experience winter.

Hikes, mountain lakes and a shepherd's hut

Gouaux-de-Larboust is a starting point for hikes to Lac d'Oô and to Espingo, Saussat and Portillon. These destinations include a lake as well as several named mountain areas and passes. Lac de Boum de Soulas is a small high-altitude lake in the Peyragudes area, between the Louron and Larboust valleys. It is easily accessible from Les Agudes and is suitable for a family hike and mountain fishing. When fishing, observe the applicable seasons and regulations.

On the hike to Lac du Boum, there is a panoramic terrace at the top of the Lac chairlift. From there, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the lake and surrounding mountains. Check seasonal lift access before your visit. Another stop in the mountain area is the Cabane du Bout du Bois, an old shepherd's hut on the boundary between forest and pastureland. A snowshoe hike starts on the Agudes side of Peyragudes and leads into the winter mountain landscape. In summer conditions, there is also a family hike to the hut, where you can explore the forests and pastures of the Larboust.

The Chemin des Coustasses also offers a hike in its own right: this family trail starts at the town hall in Gouaux-de-Larboust, crosses pastureland and ends at the Les Agudes resort in Peyragudes. This makes it possible to distinguish a route through the cultural landscape of the Larboust from longer mountain hikes to the lakes and other destinations.

Mountain biking trails and downhill runs

For mountain bikers, the “PL 18 – La Traversée du Larboust” trail starts in Les Agudes. It follows the Chemin des Coustasses downhill to the cemetery in Gouaux-de-Larboust. Peyragudes Bike Park offers downhill runs on prepared trails, accessible via Skyvall and the Privilège and du Lac chairlifts.

Individual trails serve different purposes: “PLB – Blue Wave Agudes” is an enduro downhill run that starts at the top of the Lac chairlift. “PLZ – Zone Ludique Agudes”, on the other hand, is a practice course with a few turns that introduces riders to more challenging downhill runs. This distinction helps you choose between a named enduro descent and a course for getting to know other downhill runs.

Village history and natural environment

The church bell also tells the story of the village's long history. It dates from 1509 and is listed as a protected object among the Monuments historiques. Protection was granted on 11 July 1942: the first date marks when the bell was made, and the second the protection decision. The natural area “Haute montagne en Haute-Garonne” also includes the commune of Gouaux-de-Larboust. The Val d'Esquierry is known for its flora.

For local products, Le Hors Piste in Gouaux-de-Larboust sells local produce, fresh goods, cheese, charcuterie and raclette platters. Alongside mountain trails and winter sports, this gives visitors specific places to stop in the village as they plan their trip.

Discover more destinations: Cintegabelle, Lagarde, Sepx, Aurignac, Gardouch, Caraman, Saint-Félix-Lauragais, Saint-Aventin.

For the wider travel overview: Haute-Garonne.