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From Tarascon, take the D8 towards Vicdessos and Auzat. At Auzat, continue on the D8 to Marc. Then leave the D8 and turn right onto the D66 to its terminus. Car park below on the left of the road.
(S/E) Return to the road and follow the sign for "Refuge du Pinet 3h". A pretty path heads west, running alongside a dam to a stone bridge.
(1) Cross and continue on the right bank of the Ruisseau de l'Artigue. The path passes over large flat rock slabs and reaches a crossroads with a signpost.
(2) Leave the path to the Cascade de l'Artigue on your right and take a path on the left (south-east) which climbs steeply in hairpin bends. It joins the forest and branches off west then south. Allow an hour to cross the Fontana woods. At the edge of the woods, continue a little further to reach the Orri de Pla Nouzère. Magnificent view of the Bassiès massif
(3) On the left is the return path used by donkeys to bring supplies to the refuge. Continue straight ahead along the old Chemin du Pinet. It quickly passes through a small, easy pass, then climbs steadily but steadily to a first ford.
(4) Continue to a second ford.
(5) The path branches off to the right, heading due west. The slope becomes steeper as it passes a small rocky outcrop, then heads south again. After a less steep section, the slope becomes steeper again until you reach the Refuge de l'Étang du Pinet.
(6) Take the mule track to the east behind the refuge. This is a stony path that descends rapidly to the Étang Sourd.
(7) Walk along the left side of the lake, then descend via a well-marked path heading due north to Orri de Pla Nouzère.
(3) Retrace your steps along the same path back to the car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Very difficult 
Easy 
Moderate 
