From the Les Fonts refuge to the Étang de Soulcem

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Third and final stage of the circular route around the Étang de Soulcem. A beautiful high-mountain stage that takes us along the long grassy ridge running alongside the Pic del Clot del Cavall before descending into the valley to the Estanys de l’Angonella. We then cross a first pass and then the Port de Rat, which allows us to leave Andorra and reach France and the Étang de Soulcem.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Cross-border hiking in the Pyrenees

Details

n°1684949
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.87 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 3,310 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 5,180 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 8,901 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 5,367 ft
  • ⚐ Country: Andorra
  • ⚐
    Area: Pyrenees
  • ⚐ City: La Massana 
  • ⚑
    Start: N 42.59111° / E 1.479632°
  • ⚑
    End: N 42.657111° / E 1.448424°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2148OT, 2148OTR
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Photos

The Soulcem Pond
The Port de Rat
The Arcalis resort and the valley
The first two lakes of Angonella

Description of the walk

(S) Leave the refuge via theGRP® La volta a Andorra, which heads north-east, climbing slightly, then due east along the hillside to reach the start of the ridge (2,474m).

(1) Staying on theGRP®, follow the ridge due north, pass the Pic del Clot del Cavall, then veer north-west and finally west to reach a small pass below the Pic de la Burna.

(2) Just before the small pass, the path descends due north into a stony cirque to reach, 300m lower down, the first lake (2296m) of the Estanys de l'Angonella (Lac de Mes Avall).

(3) Go round it to the right, leaving theGRP® La volta a Andorra which heads north-east, and continue along the path due west to reach the second lake (Llac del Mig), which you go round to the left, then the third (Llac de Mes Amunt) at 2,438 m.

(4) Go round it to the right (east) then head straight up the steep north-facing slope to reach the small pass (2,715 m) situated between Pic de Cataperdis (to the west) and Pic d’Arcalis (to the east).

(5) Descend due north then veer left (north-west) to reach a clearly visible track. Do not follow this track but turn left onto the west-facing path leading to the nearby Port de Rat.

(6) Head down due west then north-west along a well-marked path that runs alongside the Ruisseau de Rat, to join the track at the bottom of the Ruisseau de Soulcem valley.

(7) Follow the track and a small path alternately along the Ruisseau de Soulcem to reach the car park (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 7,238 ft - Les Fonts Refuge
  2. 1 : mi 1.03 - alt. 8,110 ft - Start of the ridge
  3. 2 : mi 1.69 - alt. 8,471 ft - Small pass below the Pic de la Burna
  4. 3 : mi 2.43 - alt. 7,536 ft - First lake (2296m) of the Estanys de l'Angonella
  5. 4 : mi 3.16 - alt. 8,054 ft - Llac de Mes Amunt
  6. 5 : mi 3.57 - alt. 8,865 ft - Small pass (2715m)
  7. 6 : mi 4.72 - alt. 8,343 ft - Port de Rat (2,540 m)
  8. 7 : mi 6.65 - alt. 6,083 ft - Junction with the Soulcem track
  9. E : mi 8.87 - alt. 5,367 ft - Étang de Soulcem car park

Notes

For this stage, there is water available throughout the route, except on the ridges. There are no significant difficulties, but the length of the stage and the elevation gain mean you should set off as early as possible.
It is advisable to bring a recent Andorran map, which is more reliable.

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