La Massana walks

You have to be curious enough to venture far south of the Principality of Andorra to have heard of the Monturull peak, the Tossal Bovinar or the Colilla peak; names that are not as famous as the great peaks of the West. However, these peaks are well over 2,700 metres, even reaching 2,800 metres, and are located in eastern Catalonia. The ridge on today's itinerary is located just south of the Principality of Andorra. It marks the southern border with Spain. The southern slope of this ridge is gentle and accessible, while the northern slope is made up of ravines and steep cliffs. Naturally, the southern route is the most popular, but I decided to tackle this journey by looping around the north. I will therefore start this loop from the Madriu Valley in Andorra.

A beautiful walk in the heart of the Soulcem valley to discover the crystal-clear waters of the Étang de Médécourbe.

In the large glacial cirque of Soulcem, this hike allows you to discover several high-altitude lakes with crystal-clear waters and sumptuous mineral landscapes that make you forget the considerable effort required, both on the way up and down. On the way back, a few horses of the Mérens breed and the magnificent Orris du Carla provide a pleasant end to the day.

This high-altitude walk through a high-mountain landscape can also be turned into a short educational outing. The short journey back in time takes you to the orris at the bottom of the Soulcem valley on the border with Andorra and Spain. The numerous small dry-stone summer dwellings bear witness to the intense pastoral activity in the valley.

This beautiful hike in the Mounicou Valley (Soulcem) invites you to contemplate four little-visited lakes. The goal of the day is to discover the four lakes of Picot! While the first two are rather unremarkable, the third and fourth have a charm that captivates you as soon as you discover them and rewards you for your efforts.

A beautiful hike ending at the Étang d'Izourt with a stunning view. The Étang d'Izourt is a dam lake with a tragic history (read about it on the commemorative plaque). There are two paths you can take to get to the Étang d'Izourt: the left bank or the right bank of the stream. The outward journey is on the right bank of the Arties stream and the return journey is on the left bank.

A gentle walk to the Artigue waterfalls.

A half-day tour to admire the magnificent Étangs de Fontargente and their emerald green reflections.

The granite cirque of Bassiès, near the Montcalm massif, is impressive for its size and its lakes. It is accessed from the right bank of the steeply-sided Bassiès stream via a comfortable but steep path that passes through a beautiful forest before coming out onto a rocky outcrop that marks the first lake. The descent is on the other bank, which is just as steep, following a well-maintained stony mule track.

The mining trail winds its way through the woods around the delightful Sem valley. Follow in the footsteps of the former miners of Rancié and discover the past.

The climb is divided into two stages: the Cirque de Garbettou, which is easy to access, with its waterfall and streams, and the steeper, rockier climb to the Étang du Garbet, with its turquoise reflections, waterfall and occasional snowfields. 26/08/2024: Allow an extra 30 minutes on average to complete this hike.

This hike, accessible to all, offers a taste of the high mountains. After the Étang de Labant, the route leads to the Pic de Cabanatous, a marvellous lookout point over the Étangs de Bassiès and beyond to the great summits of the Ariège. On the way back, the Étang d'Alate is the perfect place to stop for a break before heading back to the Port de Saleix, a very important ancient communication route that facilitated trade between the Couserans and Vicdessos regions.

Boucle au départ d'Aulus-Les-Bains vers la cascade d'Ars et retour par la cascade du Fouillet. Randonnée très agréable, en forêt sur quasiment tout le parcours, avec pour récompense deux cascades mirifiques. Majestueuse, la cascade d'Ars est haute de 246 m en 3 ressauts et sa partie médiane large de 60 m. La cascade du Fouillet, de moindre envergure, est tout aussi belle et impressionnante.

Loop starting from Alus-Les-Bains with varied landscapes. Hike to be undertaken after the snow has completely disappeared (check in advance). Several passages through peat, in the middle of streams and avalanche corridors.Please note: look carefully for markings and signposts, which are not always very visible.

A short, pleasant half-day hike in spring to the Étang d'Appy and its cirque.