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Estany de les Abelletes walks
From Ax-les-Thermes to La Tour de Carol
Visorando Member
45.50 mi
+13,317 ft
-11,549 ft
5 days
Difficult
Departure from Ax-les-Thermes (Ariège)
This beautiful Pyrenean hike takes five days; it is intended for hikers accustomed to high-altitude mountain terrain and confident in navigating. It does not present any major difficulties – the route is straightforward – but you do need to be comfortable in high-altitude mountain terrain.
The idea behind this hike is to set off from one railway station and head to another, thus completing a circular route easily without needing a car.
From Pas de la Case to the Joaquim Folch i Girona Refuge
8.68 mi
+4,058 ft
-3,114 ft
7h 30
Difficult
Departure from Porta (Pyrénées-Orientales)
The fourth stage of the route linking Ax-les-Thermes to Latour-de-Carol. A beautiful high-mountain stage with no significant difficulties but featuring some elevation gain.
This stage sets off from Pas de la Case, followed by two small passes and then, a little further down, the Portella Blanca – the ‘white gate’ – which opens onto the descent into the Engaït valley before a final pass. It ends with the descent to the Jhaquim Floch i Girona refuge, which is in poor condition but offers a safe shelter.
Walks near Estany de les Abelletes
From the Joaquim Folch i Girona mountain refuge to Latour-de-Carol
12.57 mi
+951 ft
-4,688 ft
6h 35
Difficult
Departure from Meranges (Girona)
The final stage of the route linking Ax-les-Thermes to Latour-de-Carol. A downhill stage through the valley, the return leg – pleasant but a little long – with a risk of getting lost as you approach the villages. You should also bear train timetables in mind.
L'Hospitalet near Andorra - Refuge des Bésines
4.50 mi
+2,359 ft
-180 ft
4h 10
Moderate
Departure from L'Hospitalet-près-l'Andorre (Ariège)
Part of the long route (9 stages) around Carlit, hiking from refuge to refuge, based on the Tour des Pérics and using various marked trails,GRP® andGR® in the area.
Initial stage designed to ease you gently into the hike.
Porté Puymorens - Refuge des Bésines
10.33 mi
+3,419 ft
-1,919 ft
7h 45
Difficult
Departure from Porté-Puymorens (Pyrénées-Orientales)
It is part of the long (9-day) itinerary around the Carlit, travelling from refuge to refuge, based on the Peyrics tour and using various marked trails.
From the Juclar Refuge to Pas de la Case
9.19 mi
+1,762 ft
-2,421 ft
5h 45
Moderate
Departure from Canillo (Andorra)
This third stage of the route linking Ax-les-Thermes to Latour de Carol takes you to Pas de la Case… and its hotels and refreshment stops; it is an easy, somewhat long stage that takes place at altitude, mainly along the gentle, grassy ridges of Andorra, but without any difficulty. It is best to tackle this stage in good weather, as landmarks can be misleading, especially if fog sets in.
Refuge du Rulhe - Castelet
11.00 mi
+958 ft
-5,958 ft
5h 55
Difficult
Departure from Ariège
This second day is exceptional. Most of it takes place on ridges from which you can see the Ax 3 Domaines resort on one side and the Plateau de Beille on the other. And everywhere, there are lakes and breathtaking landscapes. This stage is long (nearly 18 km), but you'll never want it to end before you descend into the valley through the forest. It's best to have someone waiting for you in the valley, or else you can reach Ax-les-Thermes on foot or by bus. Be aware that as you will be taking photos and spending time admiring the landscape, you should allow 6½ to 7 hours for the whole trip.
Refuge du Ruhle - Col de Belh - de la Didorte - Cabane Rieutort - Laparan
5.31 mi
+1,198 ft
-3,297 ft
3h 30
Moderate
Departure from Ariège
From the start of the hike, pay attention to the common white and red GR® T66 and GR®10 markings, as there are several crossroads and forks in the trail. Please note: the hike is in open terrain until the descent into the forest, well after the Rieutort hut.From the refuge, via the Crête des Isards and up to the Col de la Didorte, what a view! Of course, you need to be very careful on this ridge, which is often steep and jagged. But as soon as you stop, you can enjoy a 360° panorama.The steep descent to the Rieutort hut is on a narrow but safe path, offering beautiful views. The return to the road is not easy, but the path (GR®T66), although steep in places, is well marked throughout the descent.
From the Pra Redoun Refuge to the Juclar Refuge
5.47 mi
+2,884 ft
-1,168 ft
5h 00
Moderate
Departure from Savignac-les-Ormeaux (Ariège)
The second stage of the “Ax-les-Thermes to Latour-de-Carol” route; this is a beautiful high-mountain stage with magnificent scenery. Favourable weather is recommended.
This route follows a path which is initially very poorly signposted, climbing steeply towards the first pass, the Col de Behl, before reaching the Refuge de Ruhle, then the beautiful ascent to the Col de Juclar and finally the descent into Andorra towards the manned refuge of the same name.
Refuge des Bésines - Barrage des Bouillouses
10.15 mi
+2,152 ft
-2,434 ft
6h 35
Moderate
Departure from Mérens-les-Vals (Ariège)
Modification on 12 September 2022: validated on Sunday 11 September 2022.
Fourth and final stage of the Tour Des Pérics. The scenery is consistently stunning.
This is a fairly long stage, with cars being collected by shuttle buses.
See practical information on the Tour des Pérics.
Easy