From Étang de Soulcem to the Josep M. Monfort Baiau Refuge

Park in the car park at the southern end of Étang de Soulcem.

(S/E) Head due south following the track; pass in front of the Orris du Carla and continue. Cut across the first hairpin bends by taking the marked path, pass the first bridge and continue to a second bridge.

(1) Cross the Ruisseau de Soulcem and continue due south along a gently ascending path. Cross a first stream, the spillway of the Étang de Roumazet, then follow it along, continuing for a few hundred metres before starting the climb.

(2) Start of the climb, steep and heading due west towards Étang de Roumazet. The climb gradually levels off before you come to a path leading off to the right towards Port de Roumazet, which you ignore. Continue on to reach Étang de Roumazet quickly.

(3) Go round it to the east. The path continues due south and reaches a small pass. Cross it to reach Étang de la Soucarrane a little further down.

(4) It is best to go round it to the east before starting the final climb which leads to Port de Bouet via the Soucarrane hut.

(5) Pass close to the hut, which is closed and reserved for shepherds, then head south-west towards Port de Bouet, a vast grassy small pass that is easy to cross.

(6) Descend into the valley heading due west for 2.5 km to the 2000 m mark at Pla de lo Mercat.

(7) Turn left and follow the path due south leading to Pla d’Arcalis, joining the main path (^GR® 11) which climbs to the Josep M. Monfort Baiau Refuge.

(8) Turn left onto the^GR® 11, which heads due east before veering south-east to the Estanys d'Escorbes.

(9) Go round them to the north-east and head south-east, still on the^GR® 11, towards the final climb leading to the refuge (E).

For the entire hike (3 days), I recommend bringing a lightweight tent in case the refuges are full or if bad weather forces you to stop; it’s the safer option.

On this first day, there are no significant difficulties, apart from the length of the stage. Navigation is easy and the paths are well-marked and signposted.

There is water throughout the route, with numerous rivers and springs, notably the Lo Mercat spring at Pla de Lo Mercat.

It is also useful to carry an Andorran map to avoid mistakes, as the routes sometimes differ depending on the map.

(E) Josep M. Monfort Baiau Refuge: a lovely unmanned refuge, emergency telephone, access to water a little further down, sleeps 9.

Orris du Carla: former home of Ariège shepherds; there are many orris in this valley, often restored.