Gare de Mérens-les-Vals walks

The first stage of the journey! We leave the village of Mérens-les-Vals to reach Étang de Pédourès via the rugged slopes of the Ariège mountains; the scenery is magnificent and very wild. The main difficulty lies between the Étang de Comte and the Étang de Couard, where the well-marked path follows a very long and at times arduous scree slope; once you reach the Étang de Couard, the beauty of the scenery makes up for the hard work.

First day’s hike to the Refuge du Rulhe.With a 1,000 m elevation gain over 5.5 km, the average gradient of the climb to the Pyramide de Lherbés is 18%. IBP difficulty rating = 105 (“very difficult” for a hiker of average fitness).Allow 6½ hours with a light rucksack.This day takes place in the high mountains, far from any roads, tracks, etc.The landscapes and environments you’ll pass through are majestic.

This is a magnificent hike that starts from the Plateau du Saquet, and therefore the Ax 3 Domaines ski slopes, and ends at the Refuge de Rulhe, where a good local rataf will do you good. Once you reach the top of the resort, long desert plateaus await you before you descend into the austere scree slopes at the foot of Rulhe and finish sliding down to the Refuge de Rulhe. This first stage is wild and challenging, in the scree slopes. Be careful on the descent from the Col de Lhasse, which is very steep (but the GR® is well marked).

A long hike in Haute Ariège to admire the lakes, ridges and magical landscapes with a stop at the ideally located Refuge de Rulhe, an opportunity to taste the local rataf'. On the second day, you can admire the whole area from the ridges.

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.

Part of the long (9-day) itinerary around Carlit, hiking from refuge to refuge, based on the Peyrics tour and using various marked trails.

The third stage takes you through Cerdagne, in the Eastern Pyrenees.The return trip along the ridge (3) to (4) should be done in the absence of fog, rain or frost.I have classified this hike as difficult due to the ridge crossing from (4) to (5) and the descent through the rocks from the Faury pond (10) to the En Beys refuge (E).There are numerous places to stop for a break at the lakes along the way.Be careful of the multiple marked trails:GR®®10-GR®®107-GR®®107-GR®®107(variant) andGRP®® Tour des Pérics -GRP®® Tour des Montagnes d'Ax. Follow the description, the GPX track and the signs on the ground carefully. ⚠️ From (8) to (E)you are in the Orlu National Hunting and Wildlife Reserve, where regulations must be observed. See practical information.

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.

Part of the long (9-day) itinerary around Carlit, hiking from refuge to refuge, based on the Peyrics tour and using various marked trails.

Significant elevation gain over a relatively short distance. Magnificent landscapes in a very wild mountain setting. Numerous ponds along the way. A magnificent view from the Couillade d'en Beys. The effort is rewarded throughout the day. ⚠️ Stay on the marked trails: GRP® Tour de la Montagne d'Ax, as you are on the edge of or within the National Reserve.