Refine your search for walks in Col de Risoul (1320m)
Col de Risoul (1320m) walks
Col de Risoul and Rancié Mines circular.
Visorando Member
5.66 mi
+1,680 ft
-1,667 ft
4h 05
Moderate
Departure from Sem (Ariège)
A beautiful route alternating between beech forests, stunning views of the Os Valley and old iron mines, starting from the small village of Sem, above Vicdessos. Best done in dry, clear weather.
The Chemin du Minier in Sem
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.
The Pic du Sarrasi and Pic du Garbié – Col de Grailet and Col de Risoul from Goulier
9.25 mi
+3,885 ft
-3,862 ft
7h 40
Difficult
Departure from Goulier (Ariège)
Second day of a three-day trip (August 2023) starting from Vicdessos (Val de Sos).
A challenging hike at the start.
From (2) to (8), gradient 30%, distance 3 km, elevation gain 1000 m.
After (6), the stunning scenery makes the effort required to reach the Crête du Sarrasi (8) well worth it.
From this high vantage point, a lovely descent follows, with stunning views throughout.
From the Col de Grail (13), the return journey via theGR®10is much more comfortable.
Please note: the section from (6) to (12) is exposed.
From Goulier to the resort via the ridges and woods
9.06 mi
+2,667 ft
-2,657 ft
6h 30
Difficult
Departure from Goulier (Ariège)
A lovely circular walk starting from Goulier, passing through the ski resort and following theGR®10.
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 Risoul (1320m)
Étang du Rouch via Étang de Gnioure
8.63 mi
+6,322 ft
-1,004 ft
10 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Siguer (Ariège)
Climb the ridge marking the border with Andorra to the beautiful Étang du Rouch, which seems to sit at the foot of the Pic de Font Blanca, passing by the majestic Étang de Gnioure and its lovely, long valley:
- numerous waterfalls during the fairly steep and very stony climb up to the Peyre bridge;
- a short, slightly vertiginous ledge section to reach the immense Étang de Gnioure;
- a long path running alongside the lake, then the stream, and winding its way into the valley;
- a hillside climb that starts off fairly gentle but ends up quite steep, leading up to the Étang du Rouch.
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.
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 Refuge de Bassiès, 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 the presence of Patou dogs from (4). From (12) to (18) a marked path with gradients of 16% to 30%.The GPX track is necessary in places to avoid any confusion, as the route does not necessarily follow GR®, GRP® or PR® trails.Allow around 6 hours for the walk.
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.
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.
Fourcat Mountain Hut – Picot Lakes – Mounicou
5.90 mi
+1,109 ft
-5,564 ft
3h 40
Difficult
Departure from Auzat (Ariège)
Second stage of the journey through Haute-Ariège.A difficult and long mountain stage (around 7 hours), to be undertaken seriously and by those in good physical condition.Shortly after leaving the mountain hut, there is a very steep climb.After crossing the first pass (2) (altitude 2,574 m), you’ll encounter rocks, snowfields, another climb and then another pass (3) at 2,640 m.From this point: tricky sections with cables and steel rungs fixed to the rock.Then the rest of the very gruelling descent through magnificent scenery.Please note that the Mounicou lodge will be closed in 2026 => accommodation in Marc: see the ‘Places to Visit’ section.
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.
Descent from the Étang du Rouch via the Llassiès and Peyregrand ponds
8.35 mi
+62 ft
-5,410 ft
7 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Siguer (Ariège)
A very long descent crossing the delightful Llassiès Ponds and the valley of the Peyregrand Pond. The first section is fairly gentle and idyllic across a plateau, allowing you to explore all the Llassiès Ponds. This is followed by a very beautiful but challenging descent into the valley (Jasse de Bélesta) via a steep section with an exposed grassy chimney, followed by a long, flat stretch to the peaceful Étang de Peyregrand and a more demanding descent to the Jasse des Planes. The final section consists of a flat path to the Pont de la Peyre, followed by a descent lined with waterfalls, which is quite strenuous due to the rocky and stony terrain.