The Étang de Médécourbe loop

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike done in good weather. The route through the valley to point 5, following the GR T62 along the left bank of the stream, is quite long, even though it is the most direct route. A few waterfalls adorn the route, as well as superb views of the peaks. Just before point 5, the endless climb to Lake Médécourbe begins. Upon arrival, you quickly forget your efforts when you see the beauty of this lake located at the foot of a magnificent cirque. The route is well signposted and marked, so there is no need for a map or GPS. On the way back, to add some variety, we passed through point 4 as indicated on the map to reach the track that we followed to the car park.

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Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Even though going to the bottom of the valley via the trail is a bit long, I don't regret this solo hike.
The end is well worth the effort. It seems like you'll never get there, but what a sight! I'll definitely be back

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Date of your route : Nov 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I love this hike. The route description is accurate. Having done it three times already, I would add the following as it might be helpful.

The outbound journey is exactly 7 km (not 6).

At around 6.2 km, make sure you turn left through the scree and don't follow the stream to the ravine.

The trail is difficult to follow as you get closer to the pond, but it doesn't matter because it's obvious where the pond is - even if it takes a while to reveal itself!

On the way back, the left turn is about 100 m before the Médécourbe stream, so you don't cross it as you did on the way there.

The pond is beautiful and crystal clear. As others have said, despite the number of cars in the car park, few people seem to come up here.

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Date of your route : Oct 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike in this beautiful cirque in the Soulcem Valley. The Médécourt lake itself didn't really impress me that much, mainly because the weather was very cloudy, with fog threatening to descend on the lake, and the hike back was long, so I didn't even stay for a picnic. I preferred to make sure I got back down before the rain started...and I was right to do so! It started raining heavily once I got back to the car...I saw a dark lake, which was uninviting due to the lack of sun... I wasn't able to complete the loop because the waterfall was flowing strongly and there were lots of rivulets of water coming down from above all over the path marked for the return journey... So I opted for safety and retraced my steps...
i'll definitely do it again when the weather is better...
The climb from the switchbacks requires a minimum level of fitness, as there are quite a few large rocks to climb over on the last section...

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Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We encountered few people on this route, despite the car park at Soulcem being packed. However, it was much quieter 1 or 2 km further on.
It took us 2½ hours to climb up at a leisurely pace and 2 hours to come back down, but we only took the path along the stream as the track was too monotonous.
Some Mérens horses were waiting for us at the water's edge and we were able to pick some blueberries.
No particular difficulties.
However, as indicated on the map, you need to leave the marked trail 150 metres before the pond and turn left downhill towards the grassy area.
Otherwise, the approach to the pond is quite difficult due to the numerous rocks.
Picnic at the pond with few neighbours!!!
A pleasant day spent in a beautiful setting.
Thank you

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Date of your route : Aug 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Up-to-date and accurate tracking. Perfect

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Date of your route : Jul 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Access to the pond is dotted with large rocks, making it quite technical. Great walk!

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Date of your route : Jun 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It was impossible to cross the stream flowing out of the pond.
The amount of water had turned the stream into a torrent.

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Date of your route : Dec 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, not very busy at this time of year.
The first part of the hike is easy (little elevation gain), with a few patches of black ice to navigate around.
Once the trail starts to climb steeply (at the bottom of the valley, before landmark 4 on the map), you will need snowshoes to continue, as the snow is too deep without equipment.
The way back can be more difficult to find as the landmarks are often covered by snow.

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Date of your route : Aug 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A quiet route that's very pleasant in the morning. The valley is beautiful, and I even had the chance to see a couple of marmots.
I did the loop via the main road that leads to Andorra, which is open to vehicles but prohibited to unauthorised traffic (shepherds, etc.). Be careful not to miss the fork in the hairpin bend on the last turn...The lake is very beautiful, and I climbed up above it to get a breathtaking view. I picked some wild blueberries along the way. The return trip is very pleasant along the path on the left bank of the stream. Next time, I'll do the loop in the other direction.

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Date of your route : Aug 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike. The valley and lake are superb! Not many people on the route despite the crowds at Soulcem pond. We did a round trip (following the return route on the map) to avoid walking on the road. There is no shade along the way, so be careful in hot weather. However, the stream that you follow almost all the way along the route is pleasant.
Most of the elevation gain is at the end, over a short distance. We didn't find the scree difficult at the lake, but you still need to watch your step on the descent. It's slippery!
We did this hike with a dog without any problems. We came across a cow and some horses, but no guard dogs despite the warning signs at the start of the hike.

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Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike on 19 August 2023. The pond is refreshing when you arrive, but it's easy to get lost among the large, jagged rocks before you reach it.
On the way back down, there are lots of orris (stone shepherds' huts).
We heard lots of shrill marmot calls throughout the hike, but only saw one.
Despite the lack of shade, it's quite cool because you're at altitude, so it's a very beautiful hike, not too crowded when you get higher up despite the busy car park.

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Date of your route : Aug 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike in mid-August.
Very few people on the trail and at the pond.
The route description is very detailed, but you need to be careful at points 4 and 5.
Before arriving at the lake, the trail can be technical and difficult for some people as it is very rocky and there is a fairly steep climb.
The arrival at the lake is simply magnificent.
I would recommend this hike 100%!
If you're planning to do it in a day, especially in summer, it's best to arrive early at the Orris car park as it gets very busy.
Also avoid hot weather as the trail is not shaded at all.

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Date of your route : Jul 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike. No particular difficulty, although reaching the lake requires a little more effort. But it's worth it, it's very beautiful. We hardly saw anyone else.

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Date of your route : Jul 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I am posting this comment in 2023, but my hike to the Médécourbe pond was a few years ago (2016). Located in a glacial cirque beneath the walls of the Pic de Médécourbe, surrounded by scree and chaotic rock formations, this lake gives the impression of being at the end of the world and high up in the mountains, despite its modest altitude.
Just a note about the route.
After point 5, going uphill, the trail turns 90° to the left and heads sharply south to pass at the foot of a fold in the terrain and a rocky ridge that are clearly visible opposite. Do not try to go around this fold from behind: another path (unmarked and not shown on the map) continues straight west, following the valley on the right, and it is tempting to take it. The route indicated by the author is correct; you must pass at the foot of the rocky outcrop. When I did this route, there were yellow markers.

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