Auberge du Nabre – Refuge des Bésines

Red and white markings.^GR® 107 and^GR® 10. The^GR® markings take precedence over those of^{the GRP®} Tour de la Montagne d’Ax.

(S) From your accommodation, set off along the reverse route of the previous day, heading uphill. Cross the road four times.
Turn right onto the road and follow it for 100 m.

Yellow signposting

(1) Let the^GR® and^GRP® routes pass by on the left. Continue to the end of the road. Directly beneath the power line, turn left heading due south. Ford a few streams.
Cross the Ruisseau du Nabre via the footbridge.

Red and white markings. The^GR® 10 markings take precedence over those of the^GRP® Tour de la Montagne d’Ax.

(2) Turn right and head uphill along the^GR® 10. Continue along the right bank of the stream. Pass the Fontanasse. The climb is gradual. Look out for the Saut du Nabreil waterfall on your right.
You’ll reach another footbridge.

(3) Cross the Ruisseau du Nabre again via the footbridge and continue the ascent along the left bank, turning south-east. You’ll reach the Présasse wetland, with several streams and a spring.

(4) Begin the ascent of the Porteille here. The path turns due south then south-west.
Pass the Estagnas pond. The path levels out and climbs towards a passage through the rocks. Reach the Porteille des Bésines. A lovely spot for a well-deserved break. The view is magnificent.

(5) You have two options depending on how tired you are, how much time you have and the weather.
Please note: you have already climbed 1,100 metres in altitude.

Follow the red and white markings – this is the easiest option.
- Continue along the^GR® 10. The path continues south-west until the next junction at around 2,090 m at the Fontaine de Courtal Subra.

Where there are no cairns and the path is barely visible on the ground, follow the route shown on the map.
- Turn right, heading due west, along a path on the right that climbs slightly. Pass the highest point overlooking the pond and descend to it via a faint path, heading west, to reach Étang Soula Couloumé. Walk along the left-hand side of the pond towards the spillway.

(6) Stay on the left bank of the stream after the spillway. Cross the first stream, which may be dry. Continue due south and turn left at the second stream you come to. Join the^GR® 10 at the crossroads at the Fontaine de Courtal Subra.

Red and white markings

(7) Turn right onto the^GR® 10 towards the mountain hut, following the Ruisseau des Bésines on its left bank. You’ll reach a fork at around 2,080 m.

No signposting; cairns and a marked path on the ground.

(8) Leave the^{GR® 10}and continue to the right, south-west, along a safe grassy corridor.
Reach the Cabane des Bésines (1,980 m), in a beautiful summer pasture area.

(9) Cross this area heading south-east. Join the^GR® 107C coming from L’Hospitalet-près-l’Andorre. Climb left along this good path to the refuge (2,101 m) (E).

At (5), (6), (7) and (9), there are some magnificent spots to stop for a break.
Allow for around 7 hours’ walking, including the detour to the pond and the weight of your rucksack.
This walk should not be undertaken before mid-June. There may still be a snowfield beneath the Porteille des Bésines (5).
There are various springs along the way. The restored and enlarged orri Soula Couloumé, now occupied by a shepherd, and the Bésines hut are almost at the finish.
This is a hike in a mountainous area. So, as you would expect, you will need: warm clothing and rain gear, water, snacks, route guide, description, map, GPS, camera, good walking boots, and possibly a walking stick.
Additional equipment for a multi-day hike is described in the four-day summary.

The Bésines mountain refuge, where a sunny terrace awaits you.
Between (2) and (3), the Saut du Nabreil on the right – a waterfall.
(9) Option to walk along the south-western side of the Étang des Bésines (1,960 m) via a return route on the^GR® 107C.
Possible variations with an extra night’s stay at the Bésines refuge.
- Climb to the Porteilla de la Coma d’en Garcia (elevation 2,534 m), then turn left, heading due east, to the Porteilla de Cortal Rossó (elevation 2,501 m), then on to the Puig de la Coma d’Or (2,826 m), continuing due east.
- Descend to the Estany de la Coma d’Or (2,484) from the Porteilla de Cortal Rossó.