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road access: from Mont-Louis, head towards Les Angles, then Lac des Bouillouses. Depending on the time of year, you can either park at the foot of the dam or in the car park below and take the shuttle bus (about 20 minutes) to the top.
(S) From the shuttle drop-off car park, go up the road between the two buildings, then turn left to cross the dam. At the end of the dam, turn right and, a few metres further on, take the path on the right that follows the edge of the lake (GR® and follow the signs for "Tour du Lac d'Aude"). Follow theGR® along the lake (red and white markings). The path crosses several streams, then moves away from the lake and ends at a small intersection.
(1) Continue on the left. You will then arrive at a fork at the bottom of the Vallée du Galbe.
(2) Continue on the trail that branches off to the right to reach a footbridge over the stream.
(3) Cross the footbridge, turn left and, after about 150m, turn left onto the well-marked trail that climbs straight up (no more markings from here). The trail is clearly visible, it turns along the side of the hill before climbing up to a flatter, grassy area.
(4) At the end of this area, leave the path and take a trail that climbs through mountain pines on your right. You will arrive at Estany de l'Esparver after about 1 hour and 40 minutes of walking.
Go around the lake on the right, cross the small stream, continue along the edge of the lake and then climb up into the hollow. A well-marked trail starts on the right of the valley and descends through the pine trees. Follow this trail, which crosses meadows and streams and is clearly visible. Go around a small hill on the left, cross the stream and join the GRP®.
(5) Go to the Balmeta hut. From there, the trail is marked in yellow and red and yellow. Take the trail that descends and arrive at a fork shortly after a stream.
(6) Turn left (yellow arrow "Roc d'Aude") and follow this path to another intersection (sign "Tour du Lac d'Aude").
(7) Continue left on the path that climbs quite steeply to an intersection in the meadow and take the path that branches off to the right. Follow this path to Lac d'Aude (about 3 hours and 10 minutes' walk from the start).
(8) Turn south-west and continue straight ahead at the next junction. Climb up the valley to the sign and continue climbing on the path (yellow markings). Follow this path, which then descends and turns left to reach a road.
(9) Going up the road on the right, you will find a stop where you can catch the shuttle bus. Otherwise, continue along the road until you reach a transformer on the right.
(10) In front of the transformer, leave the road and take the path that climbs to the right (marker) then turn left. At the intersection 100m further on, continue to the right and follow the path until you reach the shuttle drop-off point (E).
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Difficult 
Easy 
