Col de la Pourtanelle (1789m) walks

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.