The Pic des Trois Seigneurs loop

Date of your route : Oct 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We set off at around 10:45am in glorious weather, with bright sunshine and mild temperatures. There were four of us, aiming to enjoy the beautiful views from the 2,200m summit while tackling a hike that was accessible to all four of us. The first climbs were quite steep, but nothing technical, and the trail was in excellent condition. We passed many other groups on our way to the Arbu pond. Once we had gone around the pond on the left, we decided not to follow the GPX trail for the hike, which cut across the path a trail that we managed to follow for part of the way, with a short section where we had to walk off-trail through the vegetation (turn left earlier than the GPX track at the lake to follow the trail (marked in purple on the map), otherwise you will have to walk off-trail). Once you find the trail again, the slope becomes steeper until it is almost vertical before reaching the junction (4). Then, the trail becomes a little technical with some rocks to reach the peak. For the descent, be careful on the section up to the junction, then there are no difficulties. You descend and then climb a little, and it is circular back to the Pic de Fontanette. After that, there is a very steep descent to the car park, so be careful with your knees! In summary, this is a very accessible day hike, taking regular breaks and with friends who are not very experienced, very enjoyable!

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike completed under a blazing sun. Same comment as other participants about the need to follow the yellow markings carefully between 3 and 4. Very beautiful view from the Pic des 3 Seigneurs. We encountered many hikers along the way. Unfortunately, there were a large number of flying ants right at the cross marking the summit! The return to the Col de Lhers is also worth a look. This hike is somewhat technical and not recommended for everyone.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A challenging but beautiful route. There are a few technical sections between 3 and 4 with several possible routes: the one that follows the markings is relatively easy but you need to pay close attention to the signs. Be careful not to miss the fork towards the Pic des Trois Seigneurs: it would be a shame to miss the magnificent view from the summit. There is no shade on the entire route. The route is busy until you reach the lake. After that, it is much quieter.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

In my opinion, the route lacks signage (signposts at strategic locations, Arbu pond/Lers port, return to car park, etc.).
Otherwise, it's a very beautiful route

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike done in early August: beautiful views of the Pyrenees, the trail is quite busy at this time of year and hikers don't all walk at the same pace, which can mean you have to stop for breaks in some places (but it gives you a chance to chat and eat blueberries!).
After reading the previous comments, between the Arbus pond and the Trois Seigneurs, I opted for the yellow route, which is very easy to follow. Those who are less agile (like me) may need to use their hands sometimes to help them stay steady, but it can be done without. Some hikers do it with their dogs, who have to work twice as hard as their two-legged friends because they have four legs...
The climb to the summit is mostly over boulders.
The final descent is indeed steep.
You will encounter many birds during the hike: griffon vultures, jackdaws and paragliders (sometimes close to you)

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This hike is best done in the direction indicated by Visorando. In the opposite direction, the descent between the summit and the Arbu pond can be dangerous in places, even if there are no major difficulties (wet and slippery rocks). In addition, the Visorando route and the yellow markers that mark the route do not correspond perfectly. Otherwise, there are magnificent views, particularly between points 4 and 7.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This hike is quite challenging due to the elevation gain and numerous steps. The scenery is magnificent, but the GPS route between points three and four should be avoided at all costs unless you enjoy climbing without safety equipment and using only your hands! On this route, I came across someone who was stuck like me. After many hikes, this was the first time I had ever been so scared. In conclusion, it is essential to follow the yellow marked path from the pond to the summit, even if it means searching for the markers!

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike offering absolutely magnificent views. The first part to the pond is on a well-marked path. After the pond, however, I recommend not following the Visorando trail, which led us to do some climbing and cross unmarked rocky areas. It is better to zoom in on the map and follow the red dotted path, which is less dangerous. The hike is still enjoyable, but you should not be afraid of heights if you follow the original trail! This is not a route for young children or inexperienced hikers. For those who are familiar with hiking in Ariège, it is a real treat

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Jun 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike on 28 June 2025. There was no trace of snow.

We followed the route suggested by Visorando and I can confirm what has been said in the comments: the hike is more enjoyable in this direction, as the climb up to Lake Arru is more demanding and would be really tough going on the way down.

This hike requires good physical condition because it climbs steeply and is in the sun the entire way. There are a few sections between the lake and the pass that require using your hands, but nothing insurmountable.

We came across some campers who were setting up for the night at the lake, but there doesn't seem to be much flat ground around the lake to pitch a tent. In fact, I don't think there's anywhere else to camp.

In short, a very beautiful hike, rewarded throughout by breathtaking views (the highlight being the arrival at point 4, point 5 and then the entire descent along the ridge).

Machine-translated

Date of your route : May 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very nice walk with a good variety of landscapes. There are a few sections where you have to put your hands down, so it's not suitable for everyone: avoid for people who are afraid of heights or who are a bit "weak" physically (although for most seasoned hikers there's nothing insurmountable about this hike... less than 1000m ascent + and just over 10km). The scenery was magnificent on 30 May, with lots of pretty patches of snow (which you can walk around without worrying), the Etang d'Arbu, and a cloudless blue sky to admire the Pyrenees! A small negative point: from the étang d'Arbu to the pic des trois seigneurs, the proposed gpx track regularly deviates from the pr trail (yellow). In my opinion, from the pond to the summit it's better to follow the yellow trail (even if it's not always easy to spot). For the return loop, the route is more straightforward, but in any case it's always a pr path (in yellow) that you should follow (from start to finish)! 4h walk (not including breaks)

Machine-translated

I'm appalled by some of the less reassuring comments.
So let me reassure you.
It's important to understand that we're not talking about mountaineering here and that we're still in the realm of hiking, even if we do put our hands in a little.
Our video shows all the passages where we put our hands.
It's here https://youtu.be/LfTpZUY85K8
My wife, who is not very sporty, was 70, so you can do this hike.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike in mid-April, still a lot of snow
Lots of crevasses and difficulty finding your way around because of the snow.
Crampons obligatory in case of snow, I'd be inclined to recommend roping up as the ascent via the ridges is quite difficult/dizzying with a fair number of avalanches.
However, the panorama at the finish is magnificent
The route is a little technical and you'll have to use your hands on some sections!

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Nov 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello, I found this hike rather tough, because of the difference in altitude, and also the technical part from Lac D'Arbu. I regretted this as I wanted to go to the Pic des 3 Seigneurs, which was my goal, but perhaps another time... Despite everything, it's a superb viewpoint and a beautiful landscape.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Nov 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello, I found this hike rather hard, because of the difference in altitude, and also the technical part from Lac D'Arbu. I resigned myself to not reaching the summit because my legs didn't want it any more, knowing that I still had the long descent to the car park, which I regret because I wanted to go to the Pic des 3 Seigneurs, which was my objective, another time perhaps... Despite everything, it's a superb viewpoint and a beautiful landscape.

Machine-translated

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent and superb hike! I did it by mistake, in the opposite direction to the one indicated (although I'd read the reviews!), and I climbed the cow pasture all the way! and I have to say, it's a steep climb! Passing over the ridge and the first two peaks with a 360° view of the Pyrenees, it's splendid. Great sunshine and very little wind... well worth the climb... then the Pic des 3 Seigneurs, the end of which you never see! But there too, once you've reached the top, you'll be very happy and the photo with the 3 crosses will be a well-deserved souvenir!...SPLEN-DIDE...so it's true that the hike isn't easy, especially as it's downhill on this side, with lots of very large rocks to climb, and descending and sliding down requires a certain level of fitness, it's true... but after all, this hike is classified red, and we've been warned, because it deserves its classification! We wish you all the best...

Machine-translated