Artax pond loop

A beautiful loop starting from the village of Gourbit.
Passing through the Etang d'Artax (Artats), the Roc de Querquéou and the Col de Lastris.
The viewpoint, approaching 1900m, is a feast for the eyes.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.91 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 967 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 958 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,834 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 901 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The route starts from the village of Gourbit. From this village, take the road heading due south.
This is a dead-end road leading to a very small car park, which quickly fills up (S/E).
By 8.30am, it was already full and we had to backtrack down the narrow path.
Favour the parking area on the left as you go up, near Pruniès, or park in Gourbit.

Departure point:
We set off on the right-hand side to climb straight up through the forest to the lake, following the Yellow markings.
No questions asked, you have to climb non-stop through the forest, keeping your eyes peeled and following the yellow markings on the stones and trees.
Many relatively important paths and streams are not shown on the map (see practical information).
At around 1260m, you'll come to a junction with a wide forest track, giving you a chance to take a breather after climbing through the forest.

(1) Continue for 500m on this wide track, then,

(2) Resume your ascent by turning right at the signpost in the hairpin bend formed by this wide track. The climb is steep on a ridge line for 800m, then you come to a small clearing.
(Take 2 minutes to look at the Orri on your right.) The lake is not far off.

(3) Continue for another 500m on the well-marked track that winds around the grassy hillside, heading south-west.
You'll come across the 2 huts and the lake dominated by Bassibié.
There was still a little snow on the summits in mid-May, but no longer on the route.

(4) After enjoying the scenery, skirt the lake to the left and then

(5) take the track heading south-east towards the Roc de Querquéou.

(6) You pass below the Pla de Madame and 1.5km later,

(7) you come to the Roc de Querquéou and its huge boulders, which make you wonder how they got there.
This is the highest point of the hike, and you won't be alone here.
From here, you can see the Col de Lastris in the distance, the crossing point for the return journey.
The descent to the Col de Lastris lasts 2km and takes you back to the GRP® du Tour du Pic des Trois Seigneurs at the Col de Lastris.

(8) At the pass, there are few markings, but simply take the track entering the forest on the left, heading due north, and you'll find red and yellow markings that you'll follow from then on.

(9) Again, there are several unmarked tracks on the map, so just follow the markings on the trees and stones.
In the clearing, past the old mine, you'll see the ruins of a piece of mechanical equipment.

(10) From here, the descent is a bit tedious and long. Sometimes the various small streams have taken the place of paths.
At the end of this descent, you come to the miniature car park (S/E) !

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 901 m - Village of Gourbit
  2. 1 : km 1.84 - alt. 1,267 m - Climb/broad track junction
  3. 2 : km 2.32 - alt. 1,280 m - Left fork
  4. 3 : km 3.15 - alt. 1,491 m - Arrival in the clearing
  5. 4 : km 4.17 - alt. 1,699 m - Cabanes
  6. 5 : km 4.44 - alt. 1,697 m - The path to Roc de Querquéou
  7. 6 : km 5 - alt. 1,815 m - Under the Pla Madame
  8. 7 : km 6.16 - alt. 1,834 m - Roc de Querquéou
  9. 8 : km 7.96 - alt. 1,425 m - Trail/GRP junction
  10. 9 : km 8.09 - alt. 1,400 m - Return track entering the forest
  11. 10 : km 8.92 - alt. 1,239 m - Old machinery
  12. S/E : km 10.91 - alt. 907 m - Village of Gourbit

Practical information

Important point: as I've read on other topos, the map is not up to date in this sector.
Some paths, even very wide ones, as well as landmarks such as streams, are not shown on the map.
But if you follow the coloured markings, there's nothing to worry about.
Going up from the right, we arrived at the lake too early to eat and continued on to eat at Le Roc.
In the other direction, however, if you leave in the morning, you should arrive at the lake for the aperitif!

In the nearby area

Pic de Bassibié.
Pla de Madame.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 116 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
caoussis
caoussis

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

For once, we did the loop "backwards" like "bushjack" did. Nothing to add to the other comments regarding the splendour of the scenery and... the steepness of the slopes. Just note that at the end of the descent from the Pladaniels woods, when you come to the forest track, there is a small path opposite that goes straight down, avoiding the loop of the track that branches off to the left and climbs slightly. However, this path is hidden by parked vehicles, including a large van on this particular day, and the markers on this route have been removed. On arrival, you come back onto the track and large cairns: hikers coming up from the car park who might be tempted to take this direct route are deterred by a yellow cross. Delighted by this walk, we won't try to solve the mystery of this diversion...

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BARRABES
BARRABES

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very fine route, with lots of snow, towards the Plat de Madame and the Rocher de Querquéou. The frozen, snow-covered Etang d'Artax is a magnificent sight. We put on crampons after the pond for greater safety and easier access to the Plat de Madame. As indicated on the map, from point 10 onwards, the descent is long, tedious and very wet, with the risk of slipping.
With snow, allow an extra hour to complete this loop.

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BushJack
BushJack
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Made via the Col de Lastris (in the opposite direction to this route)

Incredible walking circuit.
There's something magical about these forests. The views between the Col de Lastris and the Roc de Querquéou are marvellous, you can see super far super well (in good weather anyway). The lake is heavenly, a haven of peace. There were a lot of fishermen on this day; the two huts were occupied (one of which was reserved for them) and I had to go and bivouac a little further down.

The explanations are clear and on the ground it's very well signposted, so it's easy to find your way if you pay attention in the forest (there are several potential paths with crosses).

I strongly advise against doing it in wet weather or after heavy rain as the paths, especially in the forest, can be dangerous. And don't forget to bring a woollen jacket because it's freezing at the top.

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Amneloris
Amneloris

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Beautiful loop. With a magnificent pond.
The climb is really nice, through the forest and then...
The second slope from the pond to the "ridge" seems steep from the bottom, but it goes right through
During the descent, there are a few passages of little interest.

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Bernard Bros
Bernard Bros

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

very nice forest route with a good gradient

we stopped at the Lac Magnique for a very pleasant walk in the heat, but we only saw the municipal ban on a small poster afterwards, which didn't seem justified.

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Sylvie et Alain
Sylvie et Alain

Date of the walk 17/8/2024
Very nice walk. Parking was easily accessible and we found plenty of space (8:00 am). The climb up to the lake and even afterwards is a sporty one, with a very pleasant shaded section. The descent is quite demanding with steep gradients and, in places, slippery rocks.
The route is well signposted and there are no difficult sections. You just need to be in good physical condition to go up and down.
At the lake, there are a few fishermen and hikers on the route.
It takes 2 hours 30 minutes to get to the lake, and 5 hours 40 minutes to complete the walk, including the lunch break.
Thank you for this tour.

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Mathieughc
Mathieughc

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 15, 1998
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very nice and relatively accessible walk, with no technical areas.
However, the times were slightly wrong:
2.5 hours for the ascent, as opposed to 1.5 hours in reality, and only 1.5 hours for the descent.
Even though I was fully loaded (50-litre rucksack with tent, etc.). Still, a superb spot, very quiet and pleasant.

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noemsch
noemsch

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

This was a weekday walk, so we were almost alone!
A beautiful walk, with magnificent scenery. Despite the fairly steep gradient, the climb is fairly gradual and not very technical. The paths are well signposted, and the climb takes place in the shade of the forest!
A very pleasant picnic break by the pond. We left at 10.30am and arrived at the pond at around 1pm.
The return journey (the second part of the loop) is fairly long, but there are some lovely views, and we even met some horses!
The car park is not large, but we had no trouble parking at 10.30am.

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Christine_aix
Christine_aix

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

I mainly use the GPS track and had no trouble following this walk.
The route is magnificent, with the rhododendrons in bloom on the heights at the end of June. The poles are very useful both on the way up and on the way down to protect your knees. There are no technical or vertiginous sections.
I didn't think the car park was tiny.
Thank you for this hike

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Tenzig
Tenzig

Just to clarify: the village is called Gourbit.

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Benben_31
Benben_31

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Lovely walk. THANK YOU
I stopped at the Artax lake, then returned in the opposite direction.
The climb is (very) strenuous, going up non-stop. You climb through the woods, amidst rocks and boulders. You follow the streams. As you turn your head, you can take in the wide panorama of the Tarascon region.
Once at the lake, the cirque is majestic and offers a superb setting for lunch. The lake was crowded with people who had climbed up there in the afternoon.
The climb up to the peak is for another visit.

Follow the yellow signs: no risk of getting lost.
As for parking, the car park was almost full by 10am. It is possible to park in the village of GOURNIT, 800m from the start.

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Tenzig11250
Tenzig11250

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Hello, quite a few people, given the fine weather!

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denis174
denis174

Dear Danali,

I'm surprised by your comment.
The Ibp index only provides an index of difficulty based on distance and altitude difference.
It is not an indicator of the difficulty of the route, as everyone will understand that, depending on their physical condition, the same route can be classified as medium, difficult or even very difficult, including on the ibp index.
So if it's classified as very difficult for you, it also depends on your physical condition.
The terrain changes over the years, and feedback from other hikers is invaluable. An algorithm will keep the same level over the years
On the other hand, the ibp index does not take into account a number of factors, such as the weather, changes in vegetation, construction, forestry operations, etc.
For these reasons, I much prefer to rely on the opinions of hikers who have completed the route, rather than on an algorithm that ignores a large number of criteria.
Finally, the difficulty levels for each guidebook are defined by people who have actually walked the route, usually the author, in this case me.
This loop could possibly have been rated as difficult, but certainly not very difficult.
Otherwise, how would you classify outings lasting several days, or with an even greater difference in altitude, knowing that you might find it even more difficult?

Have you done the route?

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Danali31
Danali31

Hello hikers.

As hike leaders, before jumping in with the subjective opinions of people from visorando, not necessarily qualified on the difficulties of the terrain and so on, I advise you to analyse the gpx track with "ibp index", which is free and will save you a lot of trouble...
For example, this hike is described as very difficult and not average...

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benages
benages

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

The walk made me suffer right up to the climb to the lake.
But despite that, I really enjoyed it because it was shady and not very busy (we passed 3 people).
The lake is peaceful and the water is good enough for swimming (which is perhaps a worry...).
The rest of the route is less difficult, although it looks steep from the lake.
The view from the rock is magnificent.
The descent is tedious but in the shade and with a lovely view.
Well worth doing!

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