Artigue Waterfall Loop

de fr

A lovely loop around the Ruisseau de l'Artigue and Estats.

This loop allows you to avoid the crowds that can gather in summer due to the easy access to the waterfall and the canyoning activity.

Details

n°82333265
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.73 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,060 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,047 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,806 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3,835 ft
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Avalanches
Pique Rouge de Bassiès
Avalanche flow
estats stream

Description of the walk

Park at the car park of the Soulcem hydroelectric power station.

(S/E) Take the path west until you reach a fork.

(1) Take the path on the right that leads to Orris de Mespelat. The hardest part of the climb is now behind you. Continue along the path until you cross a small bridge over the Ruisseau de l'Artigue and continue for about 500 m.

(2) Turn left. Be careful, as the path is not very clear because it is rarely used and can be slippery in wet weather. Once on the path, follow it to the Ruisseau d'Estats.

(3) Cross the ford and take the opportunity to enjoy a peaceful break, as this spot is very quiet. Turn left, north-east, until you reach the Cascade l'Artigue waterfall.

(4) Then continue to the fork.

(5) Continue straight ahead, cross a footbridge and return to the initial fork.

(1) Turn right in the opposite direction to the way you came and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 3,845 ft - Central car park at Soulcem Hydro - Ruisseau de l'Artigue (ruisseau) - Affluent du Vicdessos
  2. 1 : mi 0.22 - alt. 3,898 ft - Crossroads of the loop
  3. 2 : mi 1.73 - alt. 4,806 ft - Fork, left. Path not very well marked
  4. 3 : mi 2.44 - alt. 4,606 ft - Crossing the Ruisseau de l'Artigue
  5. 4 : mi 2.86 - alt. 4,180 ft - Artigue Waterfall - Cascade de l’Artigue
  6. 5 : mi 3.22 - alt. 4,029 ft - Fork
  7. S/E : mi 3.73 - alt. 3,845 ft - Central car park at Soulcem Hydro

Notes

The waterfall is very easy to access, which explains why it is so popular. The car park fills up quickly due to canyoning activities.

The advantage of this loop is that you don't encounter anyone else on the trail.

Reviews and comments

3.8 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
3.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.4 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
User 28065294

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

This circular loop is very scenic but honestly quite challenging!
Just so you know, from point 2 onwards, there’s no path at all – you have to squeeze through the branches (make sure you wear trousers). Then, at point 3, you have to cross the river twice, which is no mean feat as there’s quite a strong current, so you either have to jump onto the rocks or get your feet wet... From the end of point 3, you’ll manage to get back onto a path. Thrill-seekers welcome!

Machine-translated

PITEDON2000
PITEDON2000

Hello,

I went on this hike on 12 May 2026.

The ford at point no. 3, which allows you to cross the Estats stream, has currently been dismantled. Apparently, it is removed during the winter and then reinstalled in the summer.

I was therefore unable to cross the stream as the water level and flow were too high, making the crossing dangerous.

Once I reached point no. 3, a pop-up appeared in the VisoRando app to indicate that the crossing facility was out of use.

It’s a shame that this information doesn’t appear when you view the walk on the VisoRando website; that would have allowed me to anticipate this difficulty before setting off.

Enjoy your hike.

Machine-translated

Xtian90
Xtian90
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello.
Completed yesterday on snowshoes and only partially. Very snowy route, almost impossible, on which we had to retrace our steps in snow depths of sometimes more than a metre, sinking in above the knee and with our poles sinking in up to the handle. With a relatively steep gradient over a short distance, this route requires good physical fitness in these conditions. Crossing two avalanche paths at Peyre was not necessarily easy. When we reached point 2, the snow cover on the opposite slope, which covered the entire return track on the right bank under the avalanches, forced us to turn back. In summary, this route is, at our humble level of experience, dangerous after heavy snowfall and requires good physical condition. In addition, the torrent has a high flow rate and we did not see a footbridge. Could it have been removed before winter and put back after? Otherwise, it was a magnificent day under a bright sun, with beautiful landscapes over the Montcalm massif.

Machine-translated

BAUDINIEREBIBICHE
BAUDINIEREBIBICHE

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This route is quite dangerous because of the steep slope – in fact, the path is difficult to find among the vegetation – and also because it would be impossible to cross the stream if there were more water and stronger currents than there were on Saturday 4 October.

Machine-translated

User 17593535

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb

Machine-translated

User 11910687

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Interesting route with beautiful views of the mountains and valleys.
The route starts on a GR trail, with a steep slope but a wide, pleasant passage to the footbridge at point 2.
After that, it is difficult to find the trail, which is just a narrow path on the hillside among ferns and vegetation, with no elevation gain on this part of the route. Completed after a rainy period (22/08/25), this section was quite slippery and not suitable for a route with children (narrow and on a hillside).
The ford is passable, but be careful of the flow of the stream, which was strong on the day of the hike.
The rest of the route is easier, with a wider path descending towards the river but with a steep slope, before reaching the popular access point to the waterfall.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Pique d'Estats and Montcalm

Visorando Member
Pique d'Estats et Montcalm
↔10.30 mi ↗+7,080 ft ↘-7,057 ft ◔12 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Auzat (Ariège)
This high-mountain hike takes you to the two iconic peaks of the Vicdessos valley in Ariège: Pique d'Estats and Montcalm!Montcalm (3,077 m) is the first "3,000" peak in the Pyrenees coming from the Mediterranean, and Pique d'Estats (3,143 m) is the highest peak in Catalonia, which explains their symbolic nature. Please note that some hikers have described the descent as dangerous. See the reviews and please keep us informed, but remain cautious.

Walking The Artigue waterfalls

Visorando Member
Cascades de l'Artigue
↔1.82 mi ↗+427 ft ↘-436 ft ◔1h 10 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Auzat (Ariège)
A gentle walk to the Artigue waterfalls.

Walking Ascent of Montcalm on snowshoes

Visorando Member
↔9.78 mi ↗+6,243 ft ↘-6,224 ft ◔9h 55 ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Auzat (Ariège)
This is a high-mountain route, to be undertaken in good weather conditions and when the snowpack is stable. The route remains fairly busy, even in winter. The trail is therefore usually well trodden, making it easier to find your way.Above the refuge, there is a long traverse on steep slopes which is not technically difficult if the snow is not too hard, but can be daunting. This section is prone to avalanches and should only be attempted when the snow cover is perfectly stable (crampons and ice axe recommended). Beware of strong winds on the ridges.

Walking Aire d'Artigue - Étang Sourd - Refuge du Pinet

Visorando Member
Aire d'Artigue - Étang Sourd - Refuge du Pinet
↔5.74 mi ↗+3,514 ft ↘-3,514 ft ◔5h 40 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Auzat (Ariège)
Fourth stage of the journey in Haute-Ariège.Leave very early as it gets very busy in summer.Drive to the Aire d'Artigue.A very beautiful mountain hike, but difficult due to the steep incline.Pass by Étang Sourd before arriving at the original Refuge de l'Étang du Pinet.Return via the GRT60.Circular route in the opposite direction from Étang and Refuge du Pinet in a taboulechat circular route.

Walking Étang and Refuge du Pinet circular

Visorando Member
Étang et Refuge du Pinet en boucle
↔5.66 mi ↗+3,484 ft ↘-3,497 ft ◔5h 40 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Auzat (Ariège)
A very beautiful hike, but one that has to be earned. There is a 1,000-metre elevation gain over a short distance. The variety of paths taken, including rivers, forests, mountainsides and lakes, will make you forget the difficulty. The view of the Bassiès massif on the way up and down is truly magnificent. The bonus: the welcome at the refuge is very warm. From the refuge, you can continue on to several other lakes, or enjoy the beautiful view of all the 3,000-metre peaks around Montcalm.

Walking Marc's Lodge - Refuge du Pinet

Visorando Member
↔4.31 mi ↗+4,012 ft ↘-36 ft ◔5h 30 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Auzat (Ariège)
The first stage of the journey, the shortest and easiest, to warm up your legs, passing through the Bois de Fontanal and the Étang Sourd to the Refuge du Pinet. The elevation gain is still significant.

Walking Tour of the Giants of the Three Nations

Visorando Member
↔43.58 mi ↗+19,429 ft ↘-19,419 ft ◔6 days ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Auzat (Ariège)
A beautiful cross-border high mountain loop between France, Spain and Andorra, which takes you through the highest peaks of Ariège and Andorra, as well as other iconic peaks in the region. It also allows you to discover numerous lakes and ponds, as well as a multitude of different landscapes (forests, summer pastures, scree slopes, etc.) to delight all hikers. This itinerary takes us through three natural parks: the Ariège Pyrenees Regional Nature Park, the Alt Pirineu Natural Park and the Coma Pedrosa Valley Nature Park.

Walking Marc Aqueduct Circular Loop

Visorando Member
↔5.75 mi ↗+1,378 ft ↘-1,388 ft ◔3h 50 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Auzat (Ariège)
This is an idyllic circular route in the Vicdessos Stream valley, starting from the hamlet of Marc, with a steep climb right from the start, followed by a good descent halfway through. The route follows dirt tracks or concrete paths.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.