Appy Pond

de fr

A short, pleasant half-day hike in spring to the Étang d'Appy and its cirque.

Technical sheet

n°26317
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.56 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 792 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 789 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,770 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 988 m
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Photos

pond seen from above
above the pond
at the foot of the pond
arriving at the Appy hut

Description of the walk

The start is from the car park located to the north, in the village of Appy.

(S/E) Go through the gate at the entrance to the field at the top of the car park, then take the path heading north-east. The trail is very well marked and there are people on this circuit. Go under a high-voltage line.

(1) At the first fork, turn right. The path on the left leads to a climbing wall. Pass under a second high-voltage power line. Then go through a second gate and close it behind you. Continue for 1 km on this stony path climbing northeast between the broom bushes.

(2) When you reach an intersection, take the path on the left that winds upwards. There is a wooden sign and a yellow mark on a stone. Continue climbing up a grassy ridge. You will pass a grove on your right.

(3) When you reach a huge stone, turn right, heading north. The rest of the hike is on a slight incline. After 1.5 km, you will arrive at the Étang d'Appy and its cabin.
Head south to elevation 1,772 metres to enjoy the magnificent view of the valley.

(4) Then simply return to the marked trail and follow it back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 988 m - Parking is located to the north, in the village of Appy.
  2. 1 : km 0.6 - alt. 1,103 m - Fork in the road
  3. 2 : km 2.28 - alt. 1,453 m - Intersection
  4. 3 : km 3.18 - alt. 1,681 m - Huge rock
  5. 4 : km 4.28 - alt. 1,770 m - Appy Pond
  6. S/E : km 8.56 - alt. 988 m - Parking is located to the north, in the village of Appy.

Practical information

There is virtually no shade on the route, so remember to protect yourself.
There is still snow in May... be careful, especially at point 1633 where heavy snow slowed us down.
The route is fairly busy and the markings are easy to follow.
The entire route is marked in yellow on rocks and trees.
Allow 2½ hours for the ascent and 1½ hours for the descent.

In the nearby area

At the lake, climb to point 1772 south of the lake for a magnificent view of the entire valley.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 78 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
CMA31
CMA31

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

I couldn't find sections 1-2-3, either on the way up or on the way down, even with the trail.
So, the hike turned into a round trip. But the walk is worth it...

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Barthes.regine
Barthes.regine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Walk on 12 April 2025. Departure 10:00 from the car park, arrival midday at the pond and 13:00 at the pass.
Superb walk with views of the snow-covered Pyrenees. I recommend this outing for walking friends.

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inoteb
inoteb

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Done at the end of February in fine weather. Very pleasant and only met about twenty hikers on the outward and return journeys.
On the other hand, you can guess that the route is quite busy in fine weather... so it's easy to follow and impossible to get lost!
Quite a lot of "caillasses": bring good shoes (and water in summer as it must be hard going and there is little shade for most of the route).
Snow at the top of the flats before arriving at the pond (from km 3.5) but it was not too difficult, even if snowshoes would have been fun. Jasse and pond all white.
Beautiful views over the valley and the Pyrenees, and it's worth making a last effort to climb to point D to the south of the pond!

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ChS
ChS

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Etang d'Appy" walk, from the village of Appy
Nice hike, fairly steep ascent, fairly complete for a half-day hike (4 hours). I also liked the "Etang D'Appy par les monts d'Olmes" hike, a different loop, a little longer, and the hike to the summit of the Pic de Saint Barthélémy, from the Monts d'Olme, a more difficult day hike.

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Patrick Duchamp
Patrick Duchamp

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : N/A
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

It's a lovely hike that we've done three times in three years, including once last year when we went as far as the col. The gradient is quite steep from the start, but not dangerous. As you go up, you can admire a beautiful view that gradually unfolds, if you turn around of course. A picnic is welcome at the pond. The cirque is pleasant. The water was perfect for a dip this year.
The descent is not dangerous but you need to be careful as there are lots of stones.
Enjoy the walk.

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Djudju Smile
Djudju Smile

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Great hike, but what a hell of a climb it was******! Rocks rolling underfoot and very little respite on the way up... It felt like it was never-ending... But it was worth it We were overflown by griffon vultures, the pond is superb and the scenery magnificent. The top of the hill welcomes you to fields of flowers...

We were told it was sunny, but we regularly found shady copses, as well as natural watering holes (don't forget the water tablets).

Best done in spring or autumn, as it heats up quickly.

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Bercay
Bercay

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

The proposed route "la jasse de l'étang de Appy" no longer corresponds to the reality of the terrain: only the return circuit via point 5 is accessible. It corresponds to the yellow marks on the PR.
No wonder the only comments date from 2019!
Please rectify this as the route to the lake is interesting, rather steep and rocky, but this is the mountains!

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guida
guida

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

very nice walk but victim of its success, huge crowds . very noisy.

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S.yjj
S.yjj

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A hot day, even at pond level in early May. Don't forget your hat! Some snow around the lake but clear paths. Magnificent scenery. Rather busy, but a great hike nonetheless. Thanks a lot!

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dipa09
dipa09
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

parish specific to Brittany, very hot day for April, 26°C, lots of people, full car park, but pleasant to do, a bit sporty as it's quite a steep climb.

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laratatouille
laratatouille

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

This is a very nice, fairly easy walk, as the ascent and descent are gradual and the path is well marked with no slopes. Best done in cool weather, as the route is almost completely open.
We encountered quite a lot of snow (soft at midday) from stage 3 onwards and appreciated the hiking poles. You can do without them, but it's better to have real hiking boots and watch out for the holes in which you can easily sink up to the top of your thighs!
The view from the lake is beautiful, but it's worth climbing a little as indicated to get a superb view of the lake and the peaks. However, be careful not to climb too high in snowy conditions: we witnessed a small avalanche.

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roques michel
roques michel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Snow from 1650 m, impossible to climb without crampons beyond the etang. Hard and icy snow

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Britanicus100
Britanicus100

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful hike with panoramic views of a multitude of peaks. Don't hesitate to climb the small hillock for its plunging views over the lake.
I've put together a video with the names of the peaks, describing the atmosphere of the hike and showing the route and waypoints.
You can watch it here,
https://youtu.be/hbJAe6OX0Mk?si=o1n7_A2v...

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Madara
Madara

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Tour done on 07/01/2023
The ascent to l'etang was snow-free, but there was very little snow on the col, so no crampons were needed, but poles were still useful. Then from the pass to the Pic de Girabal, no snow at all.

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Fabio31
Fabio31

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice walk. Lovely views all the way up, magnificent at the finish. The downside of the view is the lack of trees. In my opinion, avoid it when it's hot.
Nice view from the pass above.

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Other walks in the area

Walking Font Viva lake

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Font Viva lake
↔5.13 km ↗+205 m ↘-200 m ◔2h 05 ▲Easy
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The village of Portè is a well-known holiday destination in the Alta Cerdanya. Many routes are available in its surroundings, hiking the mountains or connecting the nearby lakes. This is probably the most classical one, visiting the Font Viva lake, under the shadows of the Carlit peak (2921 m.). There, you may find many water sources and falls, pines and flowers, wild and domestic animals.

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