Loop from the Étang de Laparan to the Refuge du Rulhe

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A very pretty mountain circuit with an overnight stay at the Refuge du Ruhle.
The ascent is via the Coume de Varilhes, the Étangs de Fontagente and the Aston to reach the Refuge du Rulhe.
The return journey will be via the beautiful Crête des Isards, the Col de la Didorte and the Cabane de Rieutort.

Details

n°82112786
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.62 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2 days 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 4,173 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 4,180 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 7,779 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 5,049 ft

Photos

Fin de la Crête des Isards
Étang d'Embizon
La vallée du Rieutort
La fameuse arche

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

  1. S
    Laparan - La Peyre - Passerelle - Fontargente - Aston - Refuge du Rulhe

    Laparan - La Peyre - Passerelle - Fontargente - Aston - Refuge du Rulhe

    ↔6.31 mi ↗2,976 ft ↘883 ft
    Please note: the approach walk along the road is the only part of the hike that is in the shade if you set off early enough in the morning. This is the only way to complete this loop. It may seem tedious, but the landscape is very beautiful.The hike can be classified as quite difficult. After the footbridge over the Ruisseau de la Coume de Varilhes, the path is not easy: steep, with steps, a paved scree slope, a ledge to cross, etc. But once you reach the top, you will be rewarded. Then the GR®T66 from the largest of the Étang de Fontagente lakes to the refuge is more of the same. This is definitely a mountain hike.
    View the route
  2. E
    Refuge du Ruhle - Col de Belh - de la Didorte - Cabane Rieutort - Laparan

    Refuge du Ruhle - Col de Belh - de la Didorte - Cabane Rieutort - Laparan

    ↔5.31 mi ↗1,198 ft ↘3,297 ft
    From the start of the hike, pay attention to the common white and red GR® T66 and GR®10 markings, as there are several crossroads and forks in the trail. Please note: the hike is in open terrain until the descent into the forest, well after the Rieutort hut.From the refuge, via the Crête des Isards and up to the Col de la Didorte, what a view! Of course, you need to be very careful on this ridge, which is often steep and jagged. But as soon as you stop, you can enjoy a 360° panorama.The steep descent to the Rieutort hut is on a narrow but safe path, offering beautiful views. The return to the road is not easy, but the path (GR®T66), although steep in places, is well marked throughout the descent.
    View the route

Notes

(!) Very important: there is no mobile phone reception at the start of the hike or at the refuge. Remember to download maps and GPX tracks in advance.
- Remember to book online (or by phone if it's full) and bring cash or cheques. Equipment for one night in a refuge: bed sheet, toiletries, first aid kit, clothes for the evening: temperatures drop quickly, despite the heat of the day (observed on 10 August 2025).

- 1:25,000 map or the Visorando PDF map, GPX track, snacks, etc., at least 2 litres of water. The only source of drinking water is 10 minutes from the refuge!

Worth a visit

- Pic du Rulhe is not marked: very steep mountain path.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 2 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
User 10709251
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb two-day hike:
- Day 1: Laparan with a camp at Lac d’Espagnol, about 1.5 km/55 mins before the refuge
-Day 2: Lac d’Estagnol – Laparan. A bit long towards the end with numerous ascents and descents at the passes. A steep descent to reach the Laparan dam as well.

Stunning scenery, and a fairly straightforward route: be careful though, as there are few signposts to help you find your way

Lots of anglers at the lakes but few people on the trails

Caution: there are still numerous patches of snow and snowdrifts to cross

Machine-translated

User 16315763

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Done on 06/09/2025.
Superb landscapes with ideal weather.
I added the climb to Pic de Rulhe in the middle.
Thank you for sharing.
I recommend it

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Laparan - La Peyre - Passerelle - Fontargente - Aston - Refuge du Rulhe

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↔6.31 mi ↗+2,976 ft ↘-883 ft ◔5h 30 ▲Moderate
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Please note: the approach walk along the road is the only part of the hike that is in the shade if you set off early enough in the morning. This is the only way to complete this loop. It may seem tedious, but the landscape is very beautiful.The hike can be classified as quite difficult. After the footbridge over the Ruisseau de la Coume de Varilhes, the path is not easy: steep, with steps, a paved scree slope, a ledge to cross, etc. But once you reach the top, you will be rewarded. Then the GR®T66 from the largest of the Étang de Fontagente lakes to the refuge is more of the same. This is definitely a mountain hike.

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