From Ax-les-Thermes to Orgeix

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This pleasant hike will take you to the charming village of Orgeix, where you can explore its castle on the shores of Lake Campauleil.

Details

n°3179740
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.52 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 318 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 312 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 994 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 714 m
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Photos

In the background, the village of Ascou
Orgeix seen from the bridge over the Oriège
Ax-les-Thermes
View of Orgeix from La Porteille

Description of the walk

Park in the car park opposite the Casino on Avenue Théophile Delcassé.

(S/E) From the car park, return to the roundabout and stay on the N 2020, which you will leave by turning left onto Rue du Martinet. Continue straight ahead at the intersection, pass under the railway line and stay on Chemin d'Entresserre. Pass a dead end on your right, take the next street on the right and then turn immediately left to reach an intersection.

(1) Take the yellow-marked path on the right that winds through the forest and leads to a crossroads.

(2) Leave the path that branches off to the right towards Sarrat de l'Étang and continue straight ahead (towards Ascou) to join theGR®107marked in white and red.

(3) Follow theGR®107to the right. Pass the hamlet of Fournit, leave a path on your right and reach La Porteille.

(4) Continue straight ahead on theGR®107and carefully begin the descent towards the village of Orgeix, which you will reach at the cemetery. Continue to follow theGR®107, turning left and joining the D22. Cross the bridge over the Oriège to reach a crossroads.

(5) Leave theGR®107, which branches off to the left, and follow theGRP® de la Montagne d'Ax to the right, which will take you to Lac de Campauleil and Orgeix Castle.

(6) Do not cross the bridge on the right, but stay on theGRP® which passes behind the castle and then runs alongside the lake before joining a small road (D122). Turn right, pass under the railway line and walk for a good hundred metres.

(7) Before the bridge, take the path on the left that leads to a street that joins the D2020. Cross the road at the pedestrian crossing, take the street opposite, which quickly leads to a crossroads. Ignore the access to the buildings on the right and take Chemin de la Bouissounade, also on the right, continuing to follow the GRP®. You will come to an intersection.

(8) Turn right towards Rocher de la Vierge to enjoy a beautiful view.

(9) Return to the intersection.

(8) Continue straight ahead on theGRP®, which you will leave further on, turning right towards the Résidence des 3 Domaines at the intersection between Saint-Roch and Camp Granou.

Cross the Oriège. Turn right and, a few metres further on, left onto Rue du Coustou until you reach Place du Breilh. All you have to do now is return to the roundabout where you started and follow Avenue Théophile Delcassé to the left to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 718 m - Casino car park. Cross the - Lauze (rivière) - Affluent de l'Ariège
  2. 1 : km 0.7 - alt. 778 m - Intersection, yellow sign on the right
  3. 2 : km 1.71 - alt. 919 m - Trail junction
  4. 3 : km 2.54 - alt. 934 m - GR®107 junction
  5. 4 : km 3.17 - alt. 994 m - La Porteille
  6. 5 : km 4.13 - alt. 820 m - GRP® Montagne d'Ax - Abandon GR®107 - Lac de Campauleil
  7. 6 : km 5.11 - alt. 822 m - Crossroads of the - Château d'Orgeix
  8. 7 : km 6.37 - alt. 782 m - Path on the left
  9. 8 : km 7.46 - alt. 783 m - Intersection: turn right at the Virgin Mary rock. Left towards - Oriège (rivière)
  10. 9 : km 7.6 - alt. 782 m - Rocher de la Vierge
  11. S/E : km 8.52 - alt. 718 m - Casino car park

Notes

Worth a visit

The thermal baths and ski resort of Ax 3 Domaines.
The Orlu Valley, featuring the Maison des Loups (Wolf House) and the Observatoire de la Montagne (Mountain Observatory).
Mérens-les-Vals with theGR®10.
The countless mountain lakes of the Haute Ariège.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 45 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
User 10881670

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 18, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike in January. Be aware that there may be hunters on the path down to Orgeix – not always very reassuring...

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frederic.seguy@wanadoo.fr
frederic.seguy@wanadoo.fr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike, very steep at the beginning
We met other hikers, but they were going in the opposite direction
Trees across the path between kilometres 2 and 3, already reported

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Phiphi2831
Phiphi2831

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

No difficulty on this route.
However, be careful on the descent to Orgeix in case of rain or high humidity. It can be slippery.

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User 3104495

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route, shaded and with beautiful scenery. With the GPS track, it was perfect, and there are also regular signposts. The descent to Orgeix is a stony path, so walking sticks may be helpful. We didn't encounter any difficulties on this hike. We discovered the pretty village of Orgeix with a beautiful view from the bridge. We did the hike in 2½ hours at a leisurely pace. Thank you for sharing this hike.

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Bernard 34
Bernard 34

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A short, easy hike that's perfect for families.

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sodt
sodt

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice short hike, good descriptions
Several water points during this very hot period!
A little disappointed by the end

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User 868910

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The start is very steep for 1.5 km, then there is a beautiful view and a descent to Orgeix via a steep path. The charming village of Orgeix is crossed by the Oriège river. Don't forget to visit the church. The end of the circuit is flat and shaded until the climb to the Virgin Mary statue, which offers a beautiful view of Ax. Allow 3½ hours including breaks

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damiensoula
damiensoula

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful

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Joffrey17
Joffrey17

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant route with beautiful views of Orgeix
Don't hesitate to leave the trail to visit the Borie viewpoint, located on the right at the 2nd kilometre. You will rejoin the trail shortly before the 3rd kilometre.

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Francoisgir
Francoisgir

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, climbing in the shade, with a lovely descent to Orgeix. A magnificent village.

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MiissR
MiissR

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The hike begins with a beautiful climb over a long distance.
The descent at marker 4 is extremely technical. There are rocks and stones on a very steep slope. Walking sticks are essential.
This is not a family walk!

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cbeaux
cbeaux

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike, pleasant and varied. The descent to Orgeix was a little difficult for me as I have bad knees, but the view more than made up for it. The return trip via the lake is very gentle and cool, no doubt very pleasant during the summer months 👍.
In short, we were delighted 😁

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Fred et Nad
Fred et Nad

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nickel for cleaning...

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Gazoulette
Gazoulette

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk, especially in the sunshine. The signposting is easy to follow. I found the section after La Porteille more interesting and varied. We didn't meet many people along the way.

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domirofi
domirofi

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant short hike in summer, suitable for everyone.

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