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Tour of Donezan

This hike is best done at the end of October. If the weather is favourable, the "French Quebec" will dazzle you with its autumn colours. But there's nothing to stop you coming back in spring or summer. There are some beautiful views of the plateau and its villages: Rouze, Mijanes, Artigues, Le Pla, Le Puch, Quérigut and the peaks overlooking Donezan. The first half of the route follows the Vauban trail.
From Puyvalador to the Quérigut Pond

A beautiful border getaway between the Pyrénées Orientales and Ariège that will take you to the wild Étang de Quérigut in Donezan.
The Pic de Tarbésou and Étangs de Rabassoles loop

A circular hike around the Étangs de Rabassoles lakes via the Pic de Tarbésou (2,364 metres), which offers magnificent views of the surrounding 2,000-metre peaks.
The Camporells Lakes

The Camporells Lakes are magnificent. This loop is varied and avoids having to make a return trip. The outward journey is little known and you don't come across many people.
El Madrès and Pic del Bernat Salvatge from the Col de Jau

This route, which passes through Madres and Bernard Sauvage, is absolutely beautiful.
The climb to Madres is on a very well-marked path.
The climb up to Bernard Sauvage is easy to see and follow.
The rest of the return route follows a good ridge path to La Glèbe (14). *
Then, to reach (15), you will need the GPX track on the app. *
The Dent d'Orlu

The Dent d'Orlu or Pic de Brasseil is known to climbers for its south-east and south faces, the latter offering a vertical wall of over 1,000 metres. However, its north face, although very steep, is accessible for hiking, as described here. It offers an interesting viewpoint over the Ariège mountains as a whole due to its central position.
Tour of the lakes and ascent of Carlit (optional)

Part of the long route (9 days) around Carlit, travelling from refuge to refuge, based on the Peyrics tour and using various marked trails.
Puig Carlit

A classic in the Eastern Pyrenees, this route takes you to the highest point in the department (2,921 metres), passing by more than a dozen small mountain lakes.
From Les Bouillouses to Lac d'Aude
A wild route to the source of the Aude (or Auda) river, starting from the iconic Lac des Bouillouses. On the agenda: breathtaking views of the Carlit and even the Canigó, streams to cross, pine forests, wide open spaces and, of course, lakes.Please note that access to Les Bouillouses is restricted (check with the departmental council or the Pyrénées Catalanes tourist office).
The Etang d'Esparver and Lac d'Aude around Lac des Bouillouses

A first pretty lake with a view of Carlit and a little less crowded than the surrounding lakes, then a return via Lac d'Aude with a beautiful view of Lac des Bouillouses and Carlit.
The Carlit ponds
A wonderful, refreshing getaway, accessible to all, in the heart of unspoilt wilderness at the foot of the "roof" of the Pyrénées-Orientales. An ideal route for immersing yourself in the beauty of the high-altitude landscapes around the listed site of Les Bouillouses. A refreshing hike that I recommend doing at dawn.
⚠️ Restricted access: see practical information.
Les Bouillouses - lower lakes

Beautiful views of the Carlit. Three-quarters of the route is shaded near the lakes.
Rhododendrons, blueberries, etc.
Lacs des Bouillouses and Carlit pond loop

A beautiful hike in the eastern Pyrenees, about thirty kilometres from Villefranche-sur-Conflent. The site is superb, nicknamed the "Canadian Pyrenees", and you can see horses roaming free. The main loop takes 2½ hours, but you can add an extra hour to see a few more ponds and pass by the foot of Pic Carlit. It's well worth it.
Lac d'Aygue Longue and Pic de l'Homme

In the Orgeix Valley, this very varied hike on a well-marked trail to a beautiful glacial lake can be divided into three parts: a beech forest where you walk not far from the stream and its small waterfalls, meadows at the edge of the forest, and finally a series of small glacial locks leading to the lake's spillway.
You can then climb the Pic de l'Homme, which is easily accessible via the ridge from the Lac d'Aygue Longue, passing through the Col de la Parade.
Montpié loop

This route is one of four hiking trails maintained and promoted by the Caminaïres de Comus association. Starting from the village of Comus, it joins the Col du Boum, the Pla du Boum, and after passing through the woods, it climbs towards the Pic des Rives, then the Cols de Camurac before reaching Montpié. This hike offers splendid views. It is also accessible by mountain bike and snowshoes.
Pic Dels Moros

This is an easy hike offering magnificent views of the Cerdagne plateau, the Carlit massif, the Pérics, the Cambre d'Aze, the Puigmal and the Sierra Del Caddi in Spain.
Les Airelles

A pleasant, short and easy walk with little elevation gain.
Moderator's warning on 18/02/2021: It seems that this hike is impossible in winter; see the comments at the bottom of the page
The Carança Gorges in two days
Nestled in the heart of the Eastern Pyrenees, the Carançà Gorges offer an unforgettable adventure for hiking enthusiasts. This two-day route will take you through spectacular landscapes, suspended footbridges over the rushing torrent, vertiginous cornices and dense forests. On the first day, you will climb up the gorge to the Ras de la Carança refuge, before continuing on to the Estany de Carançà for a high-altitude bivouac. The next day, you will descend via a loop route through the heights, offering breathtaking views of the valley. A total immersion in unspoilt wilderness awaits you.
The Carança Gorges loop

A short, pleasant and very scenic route in the Carança Gorges. This hike offers multiple options up to the suspension bridge, meaning that you can loop back (and return to the starting point or change banks) at several points.
Moderator's note : some people have got lost on this hike, see reviews
The natural pools of the hot springs at Thuès-les-Bains

Tired of long hikes in Catalonia?Treat yourself to a relaxing afternoon with a hot bath in the open air in the middle of the Entre-Valls forest, with views of the foothills of Les Estallades and El Fornas. All this is free of charge in wild pools on a public site, perfectly clean, not far from the majestic arches of the Yellow Train railway bridge. Memories you'll cherish forever!
Thués-Entre-Valls - Carança refuge

This is the first stage of the Thués - Fillols loop, which takes you up the Carença Gorge to the refuge of the same name.
From Serdinya to the village of Les Horts (ruins) (857 m)

A short hike in the mountains above Serdinya to the abandoned village of Les Horts.This is a typical landscape of the Catalan Pyrenees: mountains, yet with Mediterranean buildings and vegetation.
Pic des Coves and Garrigas from Serdinya

This half-day hike, far from the beaten track of Catalonia and the marked trails, takes you to the heights of Serdinya in the secret territory of wild boars and chamois. You will pass through the abandoned village of Les Horts. Magnificent landscapes, superb views and tranquillity guaranteed!
Roc Campanyà from Mas de Lastourg

Roc Campanyà rises to an altitude of 1,134 metres, just above the Mas de Lastourg campsite in the Têt Valley, very close to Villefranche-de-Conflent. Breathtaking views of the Têt Valley, the Rotja Valley, the Fillols Valley and the Catalan giant, the Canigou. With a sheer drop of 834 metres, it seems inaccessible... yet it is!
Font Viva lake

The village of Portè is a well-known holiday destination in the Alta Cerdanya. Many routes are available in its surroundings, hiking the mountains or connecting the nearby lakes. This is probably the most classical one, visiting the Font Viva lake, under the shadows of the Carlit peak (2921 m.). There, you may find many water sources and falls, pines and flowers, wild and domestic animals.
More walks in Carcanières
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