Refine your search for walks in Étangs du Picot
Étangs du Picot walks
The 4 lakes of Picot
Visorando Member
6.35 mi
+3,189 ft
-3,159 ft
5h 40
Difficult
Departure from Auzat (Ariège)
A beautiful hike in the Mounicou Valley (Soulcem) that invites you to contemplate four little-visited lakes.The goal of the day is to discover the four Picot lakes! While the first two are rather unremarkable, thethird andfourth have a charm that strikes you as soon as you see them and rewards you for your efforts.
Walks near Étangs du Picot
Etang de Soulcem - Etang Fourcat
5.17 mi
+4,377 ft
-1,621 ft
6 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Auzat (Ariège)
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.
Refuge Fourcat - Marc's lodge
9.76 mi
+1,247 ft
-5,958 ft
5h 35
Difficult
Departure from Auzat (Ariège)
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.
From Étang de Soulcem to the Josep M. Monfort Baiau Refuge
9.00 mi
+4,629 ft
-1,752 ft
8h 10
Difficult
Departure from Auzat (Ariège)
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).
Étang Fourcat - Port de Caraussans
3.04 mi
+889 ft
-1,411 ft
2h 10
Moderate
Departure from Auzat (Ariège)
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.
Port de Caraussans - Étang de Soulcem
4.79 mi
+49 ft
-3,596 ft
2h 15
Difficult
Departure from Auzat (Ariège)
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.
Marc's Lodge - Refuge du Pinet
4.31 mi
+4,012 ft
-36 ft
5h 30
Difficult
Departure from Auzat (Ariège)
The first stage of the journey, the shortest and easiest, to warm up your legs, passing through the Bois de Fontanal and the Étang Sourd to the Refuge du Pinet. The elevation gain is still significant.
Refuge du Pinet - Montcalm/Estats/Verdaguer Peaks - Refuge Vallferrera
7.84 mi
+3,786 ft
-4,790 ft
6h 55
Very difficult
Departure from Auzat (Ariège)
The second day is a high-mountain stage passing through the highest point of this itinerary: Pic d'Estats, as well as two other peaks over 3,000 m nearby, Pic du Montcalm and Pic de Verdaguer. The route is largely over scree and rocky terrain, which will greatly appeal to mineral enthusiasts. The trail largely follows the Porta del Cel hike and the GR®T61. Although not particularly technical, this stage should not be taken lightly due to its altitude (three peaks over 3,000 metres), its length, its elevation gain and its trails composed of loose stones that can make progress difficult.
El Serrat - Pic de Tristagne - Refuge de l'Étang Fourcat
6.14 mi
+4,327 ft
-1,476 ft
6h 35
Very difficult
Departure from Ordino (Andorra)
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.
Vallferrera Refuge - Pic de Comapedrosa - Comapedrosa Refuge
6.88 mi
+3,727 ft
-2,549 ft
6h 25
Very difficult
Departure from Alins (Lleida)
Third stage passing through the highest point in Andorra: Pic de Comapedrosa. A high-mountain stage with no particular difficulties apart from the climb to Portella de Baiau over scree and the descent along the somewhat exposed ridge of Pic de Comapedrosa.
From the Josep Maria Monfort Baiau refuge to the Les Fonts refuge
6.49 mi
+2,684 ft
-3,717 ft
5h 20
Difficult
Departure from Alins (Lleida)
Second stage of the route around Étang de Soulcem. A beautiful high-mountain stage with no major difficulties, despite the Port de Baiau pass, which is impressive and very steep towards the end but poses no real danger if you remain cautious. This is followed by a descent into the valley before climbing back up to spend the night at the unmanned Les Fonts refuge, a typical Andorran refuge with iron beds, a fireplace and an outdoor water point. The view over the Andorran valley is splendid and restful after the exertions of the day.