The Étang de Comte loop

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A lovely half-day family walk to the Étang de Comte via the Jasse du Mourguillou.

Details

n°653917
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.18 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 293 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 296 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,732 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,442 m
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Photos

Arrival at the Étang de Comte
Comte Pond
Towards the lake
Estagnol pond to cross

Description of the walk

(S/E) From the car park, go around a barrier, then head east along a path entering the forest, signposted "Étang de Comte".

(1) A hundred metres further on, at the intersection, turn right and climb into the forest, following the yellow markings.

(2) At the next intersection, continue straight ahead into the forest. The path coming from the right is the one used on the way back via the Pont des Pierres.
From here, the markings are not very visible and the path sometimes disappears or merges with other tracks. You may have to search a little to find the right track.
Continue south-west. Keep the stream on your right to help guide you.

(3) The path opens onto the plain and you arrive near the Étang de l'Estagnol.
The trail you have been following ends here and you must cross the few gullies heading due west to reach theGR®10opposite.
Waterproof shoes are necessary, or take your shoes off.

(4) Turn left towards the Étang de Comte / Étang de Couart.

(5) You have arrived at the Étang de Comte, which you can walk around.
Return via the same path you came on, except this time do not cross the gullies.

(4) Stay on theGR®10and follow the red/white markings.
Pass in front of the refuge.

(6) Turn right and cross the Pont des Pierres.

(2) Enter the forest and turn left to rejoin the path you started on.
The return journey follows the same path used earlier to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,445 m - Parking near the hydraulic installations.
  2. 1 : km 0.15 - alt. 1,442 m - Intersection on the right in the forest
  3. 2 : km 0.57 - alt. 1,534 m - Intersection/go straight ahead
  4. 3 : km 1.82 - alt. 1,666 m - Arrival in open country
  5. 4 : km 2.13 - alt. 1,664 m - GR10 intersection
  6. 5 : km 2.63 - alt. 1,727 m - North bank Étang de Comte
  7. 6 : km 5.56 - alt. 1,546 m - Intersection/turn right onto the Pont des Pierres
  8. S/E : km 6.18 - alt. 1,446 m - Parking near the hydraulic installations.

Notes

To return to the starting point from Ax-les-Thermes, cross the village of Mérens-les-Vals.
On leaving Mérens-les-Vals, turn right onto the road signposted for the campsite.
Leave the campsite on your right and continue for several kilometres on the Ubac track.
This track is easily passable except in a few places where you will need to slow down to avoid ruts.
The track ends at a car park near the waterworks.

The route is marked in yellow, but you may need to look for the trail, which disappears or merges with other paths. The stream on the right serves as a reference point to ensure you are heading in the right direction.
The return route is well marked (GR®10).

Depending on the season and weather conditions, crossing the gullies upstream of the Estagnol may be more or less difficult. If in doubt, you can make the round trip via theGR®10only.

Allow less than 3 hours for the round trip.

Worth a visit

Horses have made their home at the Étang de Comte.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Downloads
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Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 74 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
ADS49
ADS49

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, but I didn't do the circular because it wasn't well marked on the path along the left side of the river. I crossed the bridge and took the Gr

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ADS49
ADS49

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike

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User 20329443

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike where we encountered few other hikers but a herd of horses and cows. The route is a little complicated around the bog (we had to cross it because we couldn't find the path)
When crossing the river, we ended up with four strands to cross due to the showers, but it made the hike more beautiful.
We'll do it again next year

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User 18307707

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk, fairly easy. Ideal in warm weather as it is shaded for most of the way.

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balbuzar
balbuzar

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike!
Several sections were difficult to follow in the area before the Estagnol pond, with some tricky passages where it was hard to find the path. No problems with the GR section.
The two ponds are superb, as is the river.

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Cricri83120
Cricri83120

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Pleasant route

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Loli11
Loli11

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice hike, fairly short and accessible despite a steep rocky climb at the start (be careful if it's wet as it can be very slippery).

We didn't take the route that goes to the right after the stone bridge because we didn't see the sign, which is broken, and the path to the left is difficult to recognise and the yellow markings are behind you.
So avoid this, especially as halfway along the route is the lovely Étang de l'Estagnol, but when you arrive on this side, you have to cross the water several times to get back to the original path.

It took us an hour to reach the Comte pond and 40 minutes to descend.

Magnificent view!

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Sopadrabrocas
Sopadrabrocas

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Photos attached

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Sopadrabrocas
Sopadrabrocas

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Photo attached

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Sopadrabrocas
Sopadrabrocas

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice hike, but the pond is full of green algae that turns white when it dries in the sun... it almost looks like a dirty lake in North Africa...

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Netra
Netra ★

Hello Christophe, thank you for your feedback.

I have just changed the rating to Average, which corresponds to the elevation gain displayed, even though it is not very significant.

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Christophe M 74
Christophe M 74

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This hike is very nice, but it is not an "easy" hike as mentioned on the information sheet.
We passed people who were struggling on the steep climb between points (1) and (2), which is dotted with large boulders that you have to climb over.
Also avoid the section between (2) and (3), which is a bog, and simply return via the Pont de Pierre bridge to rejoin the much more passable GR10.

If you take the section between (2) and (3), a GPS device or the Visorando app is absolutely essential.

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PADIFC85
PADIFC85

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy route, but not for beginners 😉

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Christian Ki
Christian Ki

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, not necessarily easy to do with young children due to the numerous rocky outcrops, but very beautiful landscapes. We recommend walking through the forest on the way up when it's hot. We had a wonderful time in the Ariège mountains.

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denis174
denis174
• Edited:

Hello,

If I understand correctly, you didn't enjoy this tour very much.
The start in the forest is quite steep, as indicated in the description and on the terrain profile, which you can consult before setting off.
It is also specified that the trail can become unclear at times and that the route can be completed by following the GR10 trail there and back, so all the necessary information is available for those who take the time to read it!!!
As for the duration, I maintain that it can easily be done in less than 3 hours and does not require any particular physical condition.
Perhaps you should select routes that are more suited to your fitness level.
If I may offer a word of advice: swimming in mountain lakes is a very bad idea and only contributes to the deterioration of fragile natural environments.

Enjoy your hike!

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