Étang Blaou walks

The fifth and final stage of the high-mountain route passes by the iconic Pic de Tristagne, which towers over the many lakes in the surrounding area, and its short, fairly exposed ridge route, before returning to France via the magnificent Étangs Fourcat site.

More magnificent lakes are on the agenda, with the added bonus of a short chairlift ride on the Andorran side to rest your legs before the descent to L'Étang de Soulcem, which is very challenging in the last section.

Second stage of the journey through Haute-Ariège.A difficult and long mountain stage (around 7 hours), to be undertaken seriously and by those in good physical condition.Shortly after leaving the mountain hut, there is a very steep climb.After crossing the first pass (2) (altitude 2,574 m), you’ll encounter rocks, snowfields, another climb and then another pass (3) at 2,640 m.From this point: tricky sections with cables and steel rungs fixed to the rock.Then the rest of the very gruelling descent through magnificent scenery.Please note that the Mounicou lodge will be closed in 2026 => accommodation in Marc: see the ‘Places to Visit’ section.

This is the sixth and final stage of the Tour des Géants des Trois Nations, which has a steep descent (1,800 m of elevation loss, which will hurt your joints) to return to the starting point of this journey. This stage passes by the Fourcat Waterfall, the beautiful Izourt Pond and the forests of Goulier-Auzat and Montcalm.

After our chairlift ride, we descend towards the Soulcem lake on the Ariège side. We enjoy the beauty of this glacial valley, the Soulcem lake, the Mérens horses grazing freely, not to mention the numerous orris that line the route. It is a wonderful but particularly challenging end to the hike between the Caraussans lake and the Soulcem trail.

A short, not too difficult hike – very enjoyable. You follow streams all the way, first through the forest, then across a plateau. A very wild, natural atmosphere. Countless spots, ideal for pitching a tent, with trees galore, majestic rocks and a fast-flowing yet calm river. A very good population of brown trout in the river. The lake, too, is teeming with fish – large brown trout and rainbow trout – to potentially delight the palates of food lovers.

First stage of the journey through the Haute-Ariège. A beautiful, steady climb takes you to the Étang d’Izourt, steeped in human history. This is followed by a gruelling climb up to the Orri de la Caudière. Once you’ve crossed the rustic footbridge, there’s another very steep climb up to the small Étang du Fourcat. The rest of the route to the Étang du Fourcat refuge is more gentle. A very steep climb to the Fourcat refuge with an average gradient of 17 per cent. Please note: from the Étang d’Izourt to the refuge, the gradient is 24 per cent.

First stage of the 3-day hike that is circular and loops around the Étang de Soulcem. This beautiful, long stage will take us into Catalonia, first passing by small lakes and then through the Port de Bouet, through gentle high-mountain landscapes, over the grassy, undulating slopes of the Ariège and then Catalonia; we finally reach the unmanned Josep M. Monfort Baiau refuge, which is in perfect condition and offers safe shelter (sleeps 9).

A magnificent hike in the upper Ariège in a spectacular setting. On the agenda for the day are the Etangs du Picot and the two Etangs Fourcat, which quickly make you forget the intense effort required during the climb.

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.