El Serrat - Pic de Tristagne - Refuge de l'Étang Fourcat

(S) From the El Pradet hotel on the CG3 road, turn left westwards onto the GRP® la Volta a Andorra. Reach the first hairpin bend.

(1) Leave the road and turn left onto the HRP stage 30 trail to avoid walking along the road for most of the stage, until you reach the Ordino Arcalis ski resort. The trail heads northwest through clearings and woods.

(2) Join the CG3 road by turning left, still following stage 30 of the HRP. Stay on the road for 150 to 200 metres, then leave it after a small car park, turning left while staying on the HRP. The trail approaches the Tristagne stream and runs along its northern bank without ever crossing it.

(3) Take the CG3 road again by turning left and leave it again 150 m further on, turning right, towards the north, just before the Pont de Castellar bridge. Take a track suitable for vehicles and pass the Cabane del Castellar hut. After this, the track heads west.

(4) Shortly before reaching the Ordino Arcalis ski resort, leave the track by turning right to stay on stage 30 of the HRP through the mountain pastures. The path climbs north-westwards, winding several times to reach a small dam on the Tristagne stream.

(5) Turn right (still on stage 30 of the HRP) to reach Estany Primer, the first lake on this stage. The climb becomes steeper as you approach the lake and runs alongside a torrent.

(6) Turn right towards the north, staying on stage 30 of the HRP. Pass above Estany del Mig, then Estany de Més Amunt to reach Llacuna Superior.

(7) Leave stage 30 of the HRP and continue straight north on variant 30.1 of the HRP.

(8) At an intersection at an altitude of 2,510 metres, below Pic de Tristagne, turn left to stay on the HRP variant 30.1, which heads northwest. The trail crosses a first scree slope (watch out for loose rocks) dominated by a rocky overhang, crosses a grassier area before crossing a second scree slope. At the end of this scree slope, the trail heads north and the slope becomes much steeper to reach a pass marking the border between Andorra and France.

(9) Turn right onto the ridge path leading to Pic de Tristagne. This ridge path is quite exposed with a small chimney that is easy to climb (a few metres) and a few sections where you need to use your hands, but it may be frightening for those who are prone to vertigo. Reach the summit of Pic de Tristagne.

(10) Turn around and return to the pass, taking care on the most exposed sections of the descent and using your hands to help you.

(9) Turn right towards the north and enter French territory. Take your time descending the very steep and unstable scree slope . The route winds around in numerous small loops to reduce the steep gradient of the first 500 metres from the pass. The scree then flattens out to reach Étang Fourcat.

(11) Walk along its western shore until you reach the Refuge de Fourcat (E).

The ridge route to Pic de Tristagne and the descent to the refuge have been very well marked by the Fourcat refuge warden (yellow markings).