Refine your search for walks in Col de Grail (1485m)
Col de Grail (1485m) walks
The Chemin du Minier in Sem
Visorando Member
6.17 mi
+1,749 ft
-1,749 ft
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.
Crête d’Esplas – Crête de la Calvière from Goulier
8.83 mi
+2,822 ft
-2,828 ft
6h 30
Difficult
Departure from Goulier (Ariège)
This hike is suitable for walkers who know how to use the app and are observant of their surroundings. Most of the route follows paths marked on the map, but these are often difficult to spot. There are no signposts from the Col de Grail onwards; however, some sections remain clearly visible and provide reassurance regarding the route. Do not attempt this hike if there is a risk of fog or after rain, as the descent into the gispet could prove very difficult. Otherwise, there are remarkable views of the Pique d’Endron, Vicdessos, the Pic des Trois Seigneur, Montcalm and others...
Walks near Col de Grail (1485m)
Pradières d’en haut car park – Étang d’Izourt – Refuge du Fourcat
4.80 mi
+4,298 ft
-75 ft
5h 55
Difficult
Departure from Auzat (Ariège)
First stage of the journey through the Haute-Ariège.
A beautiful, steady climb takes you to the Étang d’Izourt, steeped in human history.
This is followed by a gruelling climb up to the Orri de la Caudière.
Once you’ve crossed the rustic footbridge, there’s another very steep climb up to the small Étang du Fourcat.
The rest of the route to the Étang du Fourcat refuge is more gentle.
A very steep climb to the Fourcat refuge with an average gradient of 17 per cent.
Please note: from the Étang d’Izourt to the refuge, the gradient is 24 per cent.
Marc's Lodge - Refuge du Pinet
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.
Bassiès-Port de Lers mountain hut via the Étang d’Alate and Mont Ceint
3.97 mi
+1,883 ft
-2,313 ft
3h 30
Difficult
Departure from Auzat (Ariège)
Before heading back, there is the option of a return trip to the Étang de Bassiès from the refuge, leaving some of your luggage at the refuge.A fairly short second stage, with two steep ascents (19% to 38%): one from the Refuge de Bassiès to the Port de Bassiès, and the even more challenging one from the Port de Saleix to the Pic de Girantès or Mont Ceint. In fact, it is a rather gruelling, up-and-down stage, classified as difficult. The ascents and descents are on challenging trails (pebbles, rocks, scree). The whole day is spent in open country with stunning panoramic views. The route passes the beautiful Étang d’Alate.The relative altitude, between 1,520 m and 2,100 m, means this day’s walk is feasible even in the height of summer.
Refuge Fourcat - Marc's lodge
9.76 mi
+1,247 ft
-5,958 ft
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
5.17 mi
+4,377 ft
-1,621 ft
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
3.04 mi
+889 ft
-1,411 ft
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.
Port de Lers–Bassiès Refuge via Pas du Roc, Étang de Labant, Col Fouzès
7.46 mi
+2,927 ft
-2,493 ft
6h 00
Difficult
Departure from Suc-et-Sentenac (Ariège)
The first day takes you to the Bassiès Refuge, passing huts, a valley, mountain passes, an old mine, a pond, and various cols and mountain passes. The stretch from the Col de las Fouzès to the Port de Bassiès is particularly beautiful.The route follows paths and tracks that are difficult due to their terrain (rock, scree, unmarked).See practical information * From (3) to (6), an unmarked path with gradients of 15% and 25%, with Patou sheep present from (4). From (12) to (18), a marked path with gradients of 16% to 30%.Allow approximately 6 hours for the walk.
Étang des Castellasses
4.31 mi
+2,648 ft
-322 ft
4h 15
Moderate
Departure from Ariège
A short, not too difficult hike – very enjoyable. You follow streams all the way, first through the forest, then across a plateau. A very wild, natural atmosphere. Countless spots, ideal for pitching a tent, with trees galore, majestic rocks and a fast-flowing yet calm river. A very good population of brown trout in the river. The lake, too, is teeming with fish – large brown trout and rainbow trout – to potentially delight the palates of food lovers.
From Étang de Soulcem to the Josep M. Monfort Baiau Refuge
9.00 mi
+4,629 ft
-1,752 ft
8h 10
Difficult
Departure from Auzat (Ariège)
First stage of the 3-day hike that is circular and loops around the Étang de Soulcem. This beautiful, long stage will take us into Catalonia, first passing by small lakes and then through the Port de Bouet, through gentle high-mountain landscapes, over the grassy, undulating slopes of the Ariège and then Catalonia; we finally reach the unmanned Josep M. Monfort Baiau refuge, which is in perfect condition and offers safe shelter (sleeps 9).
Refuge du Pinet - Montcalm/Estats/Verdaguer Peaks - Refuge Vallferrera
7.84 mi
+3,786 ft
-4,790 ft
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.