The Red Pond of Riou Blanc

Access by car
Tarascon-sur-Ariège -> Vicdessos -> Auzat -> Mounicou. Take the track, which is easily passable by car, leading to the Soulcem dam; continue along the right bank of the lake to its southern end. Park as high up as possible in the large car park at Les Orris du Carla (alt. 1,650 m).

(S/E) Walk up the track closed to traffic on the right bank of the Ruisseau de Soulcem. (You can also take the path that climbs up the left bank.)
You will reach a hairpin bend.

(1) Leave the track and continue along the path leading downstream from the Labinas Waterfall, which runs along the left bank. (You can also stay on the track; a footbridge upstream of the waterfall allows you to cross to the left bank). A pleasant, mostly flat path (^GR® T62) leads, still heading south, to the junction, marked by a sign, with the path climbing towards Roumazet.

(2) Alt 1785 m. Take this path on the right, which climbs initially south-westwards before turning northwards up a steep slope in a series of hairpin bends to cross the pass overlooking the valley floor of the Ruisseau de Roumazet.

(3) The path turns westwards and runs along the right bank of the Roumazet stream. After a climb, you reach the junction with the path (on the right) that descends from La Gardelle.

(4) Leave this path on your right and continue southwards along the path leading to the Étang de Roumazet until you reach the junction, just before arriving at the lake, with the path heading to the Port de Roumazet.

(5) Alt. 2150 m. Take this path to the right, heading west. After a steep climb, you’ll reach a small plateau.

(6) Alt. 2280 m. Leave the path, which curves south-west, and climb up the right bank of the Riou Blanc towards the north-west; the direction is obvious. The slope is steep, but you can find your way without difficulty; there are some tracks.

(7) Alt. 2400 m. The slope levels off, signalling the end of the gorge; the stream meanders and turns distinctly white. Cross back and forth between the banks. A few cairns mark the route. You will soon reach the end of the gorge.

(8) Alt. 2450 m, from where you can see the spillway. Reach the Étang Rouge de Riou Blanc. Alt. 2462 m. Return via the same route in the opposite direction to reach the (S/E).

• See possible options in the practical information section.

If you don’t mind drinking the water from the ponds (you may wish to bring some water purification tablets), there are no issues with water supply on this route.
There is no mobile phone coverage.
The short off-trail section follows the stream through tufts of gispet and over stones; no particular problems in dry weather.
The actual elevation gain is approximately 900 m. Despite a section off-trail, the difficulty is ‘Moderate’ as the route is clear.

• After descending to the Etang de Roumazet (5), continue southwards to the Étang de la Soucarrane and descend towards the Soulcem stream by following the route of hike No. 370599: Étangs de la Gardelle, de Roumazet and de la Soucarrane.

I made a video of the lake about ten years ago: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x14qsw...