Refine your search for walks in Col de Grail (1485m)
Col de Grail (1485m) walks
The Chemin du Minier in Sem
Visorando member 
9.93 km
+533 m
-533 m
4h 20
Moderate
Departure from Sem (Ariège)
A magnificent circular route through the forest with numerous information panels along the route, offering welcome breaks during the tough climb and breathtaking panoramic views. With two must-see sights, the Refuge de Grail (closed) and the Col de Grisoul!
This short but steep hike in the Vicdessos valley reveals an important part of the mining history of the Ariège. Here, in the heart of the mountains, the Mines du Rancié began with modern open-pit iron ore extraction at an altitude of over 1,500 metres, before more and more tunnels were dug, descending ever deeper! Connected to each other, they saved many lives during the frequent rockfalls that led to their permanent closure in 1931, despite the fact that the deposit was far from exhausted.
Walks near Col de Grail (1485m)
Marc's Lodge - Refuge du Pinet
Visorando member 6.94 km
+1,223 m
-11 m
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.
Refuge Fourcat - Marc's lodge
Visorando member 15.71 km
+380 m
-1,816 m
5h 35
Difficult
Departure from Auzat (Ariège)
This is the sixth and final stage of the Tour des Géants des Trois Nations, which has a steep descent (1,800 m of elevation loss, which will hurt your joints) to return to the starting point of this journey. This stage passes by the Fourcat Waterfall, the beautiful Izourt Pond and the forests of Goulier-Auzat and Montcalm.
Etang de Soulcem - Etang Fourcat
Visorando member 
8.33 km
+1,334 m
-494 m
6 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Auzat (Ariège)
A magnificent hike in the upper Ariège in a spectacular setting. On the agenda for the day are the Etangs du Picot and the two Etangs Fourcat, which quickly make you forget the intense effort required during the climb.
Étang Fourcat - Port de Caraussans
Visorando member 
4.90 km
+271 m
-430 m
2h 10
Moderate
Departure from Auzat (Ariège)
More magnificent lakes are on the agenda, with the added bonus of a short chairlift ride on the Andorran side to rest your legs before the descent to L'Étang de Soulcem, which is very challenging in the last section.
Refuge du Pinet - Montcalm/Estats/Verdaguer Peaks - Refuge Vallferrera
Visorando member 12.61 km
+1,154 m
-1,460 m
6h 55
Very difficult
Departure from Auzat (Ariège)
The second day is a high-mountain stage passing through the highest point of this itinerary: Pic d'Estats, as well as two other peaks over 3,000 m nearby, Pic du Montcalm and Pic de Verdaguer. The route is largely over scree and rocky terrain, which will greatly appeal to mineral enthusiasts. The trail largely follows the Porta del Cel hike and the GR®T61. Although not particularly technical, this stage should not be taken lightly due to its altitude (three peaks over 3,000 metres), its length, its elevation gain and its trails composed of loose stones that can make progress difficult.
Port de Caraussans - Étang de Soulcem
Visorando member 
7.71 km
+15 m
-1,096 m
2h 15
Difficult
Departure from Auzat (Ariège)
After our chairlift ride, we descend towards the Soulcem lake on the Ariège side. We enjoy the beauty of this glacial valley, the Soulcem lake, the Mérens horses grazing freely, not to mention the numerous orris that line the route. It is a wonderful but particularly challenging end to the hike between the Caraussans lake and the Soulcem trail.
El Serrat - Pic de Tristagne - Refuge de l'Étang Fourcat
Visorando member 9.89 km
+1,319 m
-450 m
6h 35
Very difficult
Departure from Ordino (Andorra)
The fifth and final stage of the high-mountain route passes by the iconic Pic de Tristagne, which towers over the many lakes in the surrounding area, and its short, fairly exposed ridge route, before returning to France via the magnificent Étangs Fourcat site.
Laparan - La Peyre - Passerelle - Fontargente - Aston - Refuge du Rulhe
Visorando member 
10.15 km
+907 m
-269 m
5h 30
Moderate
Departure from Ariège
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.
Vallferrera Refuge - Pic de Comapedrosa - Comapedrosa Refuge
Visorando member 11.07 km
+1,136 m
-777 m
6h 25
Very difficult
Departure from Alins (Lleida)
Third stage passing through the highest point in Andorra: Pic de Comapedrosa. A high-mountain stage with no particular difficulties apart from the climb to Portella de Baiau over scree and the descent along the somewhat exposed ridge of Pic de Comapedrosa.