Lac d'Aygue Longue and Pic de l'Homme

In the Orgeix Valley, this very varied hike on a well-marked trail to a beautiful glacial lake can be divided into three parts: a beech forest where you walk not far from the stream and its small waterfalls, meadows at the edge of the forest, and finally a series of small glacial locks leading to the lake's spillway.
You can then climb the Pic de l'Homme, which is easily accessible via the ridge from the Lac d'Aygue Longue, passing through the Col de la Parade.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.39 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,039 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,039 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,452 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,413 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking after the Cabane de l'Anyell Morta.

(S/E) After the barrier, the path is initially very wide, marked by railway sleepers. It then narrows to a good path marked in yellow that climbs into the forest. You can also continue on the track that curves to the right, but the path is closer to the stream and more inviting.
A concrete footbridge on the left is tempting, but do not take it (except to admire the small waterfall) and stay on the left bank of the stream in the forest.
You come out of the forest onto a large meadow with a well-maintained hut on the right. If you look carefully, you can see an orri a little further away and higher up on the same western slope; in 2010, it appeared to be undergoing restoration (Orri de la Coume).

(1) Cross the stream on a footbridge made of two large beams and follow the clearly visible path marked by a sign for "Lac d'Aygue Longue". The path climbs south-east then south and skirts the mountain on the eastern flank, overlooked by a rocky ridge. This climb, which is steady and shaded in the morning, is quite pleasant, punctuated by rowan and birch trees. The view to the north widens, and you can see the side of Saint-Barthélemy scarred by talc mines.
The trail becomes steeper and rockier as it passes a rocky spur - this is the only place where I got (weak) Orange mobile phone reception (see Remarks below). You enter a more mineral world.

(2) Water intake with several large buildings, we cross a concrete footbridge. The stones become larger and more frequent: this is the characteristic glacial landscape, a huge staircase composed of steep climbs followed by flat sections with small lakes. You have to climb a series of three locks, sometimes on unstable scree but without danger, to reach the lake that you think you are about to discover but which keeps you waiting.

(3) The lake is truly magnificent, almost round, in a small, beautiful, almost enclosed cirque, overlooked by a lace of ridges to the south, where the silence is impressive. Often on these heights you can hear the murmur of the valleys, but here there is nothing, not a sound of human life.

Ascent of the Pic de l'Homme
Follow the eastern shore of Lac d'Aygue Longue along large rocks, where a steep, clearly visible path leads to the Col de la Parade.

(4) Col de la Parade. The view on the other side plunges down to a small cirque (the Jasse de la Parade) with a few tiny ponds.
The route to the northeast on the ridge is obvious and marked by an unmarked but clearly visible path. The path occasionally passes along the north side. The slope is steep and the view is sometimes slightly vertiginous, but there are no difficulties.
You arrive at a pre-summit very close to the actual summit to the south-east, which is slightly higher. To reach it, you have to descend slightly into a tiny pass where you pass through a small rock gate before climbing back up.

(5) Pic de l'Homme. The return journey follows the same route back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,413 m - La Llau car park
  2. 1 : km 1.3 - alt. 1,634 m - Footbridge
  3. 2 : km 2.5 - alt. 1,908 m - Water supply
  4. 3 : km 3.46 - alt. 2,077 m - Lac d'Aygue Longue
  5. 4 : km 4.14 - alt. 2,242 m - Col de la Parade
  6. 5 : km 4.69 - alt. 2,452 m - Pic de l'Homme
  7. S/E : km 9.39 - alt. 1,413 m - La Llau car park

Notes

Access by car: it's complicated!

In Ax-les-Thermes, heading towards Andorra, just before the exit from Ax, before the bridge over the Ariège, take the D22 towards Orlu. In the village of Orgeix, after two speed bumps which you should take at 20 km/h, turn right onto the narrow, very arched stone bridge over the Oriège and take the track straight ahead. This is where things get a bit unclear. You'll need to get to the terminal car park (a place called La Llau, 1,400 metres above sea level) about 7 kilometres from Orgeix, despite the difficulties in finding your way, as the various directions given never mention the access to the path towards Aygue Longue. First, follow theGR® markings towards Col de Joux, leaving the Gouzy forest road on your left, then two other tracks also on your left. Follow the hairpin bends to the rather imposing forest house of Ressec de Bas (at an altitude of about 1280m). This is where you leave theGR® markings, abandon the Col de Joux direction and continue straight ahead on the track opposite towards "nowhere" (the only one that is not signposted and is also marked with a red prohibition sign) towards the south. There are no more hairpin bends, you cross a cattle grid, you see a hut in very good condition on the right, continue straight ahead, pass the Cabane d'Agnelle Morto on the right and you come to a large platform at the edge of the stream, where you park the car: the track continues after a barrier that prevents vehicles from entering. There is no doubt now: signs (at last!) indicate that you are at the start of the trail to Aygue Longue.

There is water along the route (particularly at the water intake). The water from the lake itself should be fine...
Mobile phones (Orange network) only work in very few places.

There is no point in going as far as the Col de la Parade if you are not going to climb the peak, as the view from the other side of the pass is rather disappointing.

This hike is described in summer, without snow.

Worth a visit

Orlu Reserve.

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.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 40 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 14060601

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Nice hike, the path is a bit rough but honestly it's fine.
Not many people and cute marmots after the forest!

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User 7387101

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike, but the forest track leading to the car park is in very poor condition.

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Nathalie09
Nathalie09

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on 16 June 2025.
Flowers and rushing streams: a feast for the eyes! The view, even from the pass, does not disappoint.
View of a pretty mountain hut and the surrounding peaks. Then, the climb to the peak rewards your last efforts:
a breathtaking 360-degree view!
But be careful on the way up:
The track can only be used by off-road vehicles.
After the forest house, do not go straight ahead towards the tree with the cross! Continue on the rough road to the right.

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lesbubusalain
lesbubusalain

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We had no difficulty reaching the starting point with a Renault Capture.
Otherwise, it was a beautiful hike to the lake without any difficulties. To climb to the Pic de l'Homme, it is very steep on gravel, and the descent is not easy.

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dolly-55
dolly-55

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, best done in good weather, with steep climbs and good signposting. You'll need a car with a bit of ground clearance to reach the car park, as the track is slightly bumpy!
Magnificent views from the summit of Pic de l'Homme!

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Alex-cc2
Alex-cc2

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very difficult to reach the starting point, no paved road to the car park, only a very rough track.
However, the view from the Pic de l'Homme is incredible on a clear day. The end of the climb is very steep but accessible without climbing

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domaniale
domaniale

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, best done in good weather, with steep climbs and good signposting. You'll need a car with a bit of ground clearance to reach the car park, as the track is slightly bumpy!
Magnificent views from the summit of Pic de l'Homme!

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Gimli113
Gimli113

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Access:
The forest road that turns into a track is in very poor condition. It took us 45 minutes to cover the 7 km. In a 308SW (low car), I hit the ruts several times.

Hike:
A hike with a beautiful, slightly technical climb but ending with a sublime view of the lake. The colours are superb. We left too late to climb to the peak. I would recommend aiming to arrive at the lake by 11:30 a.m. at the latest to have time to climb. In the afternoon, the valley became cloudy.

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chafrise
chafrise

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A superb route, not too difficult, but beware of fog, which can roll in very quickly.

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RAND19
RAND19

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

To reach the start of the trail, it's 8 km away, but you can get there easily by taking it slowly. Just keep going straight ahead!
Nice hike, climb without too much fog, we were able to enjoy the lake! Be careful, the climb to the pass is quite steep, luckily our shoes did the job in both directions.
Then it climbs up to the peak and is much easier.
Beautiful view of the sea of clouds and descent in the mist.

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Marc Titi
Marc Titi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk in good weather, but you need to be in good shape. The difficult rating is justified: the path climbs fairly steeply and there are few bends. What's more, the section between Lake Aygues Longue and the pass is in very poor condition, so be careful not to slip on the way down.
The access road was open but in very poor condition. Allow a good half hour to cover the 7 km.

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DROUETJM
DROUETJM

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

In the very first section, forestry work took place in spring 2023 and the landmarks are more difficult to find. Just follow the Orgeix river on your right.

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GR127
GR127

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike in fine weather. To get to the starting point, enter LA LIAU into your GPS. Due to time constraints, we stopped at the Col de la Parade, which offers beautiful views of the surrounding area.

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AntoineTNF
AntoineTNF

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Please note that the access road was still closed due to roadworks until 24 October. Barriers prevent access.
We decided to go anyway, but it made for a much longer journey.
As we approached the lake, a very large herd of sheep guarded by two shepherds and their dogs, plus two "independent" patou dogs, also made access to the lake considerably more difficult. We had to make a detour through a scree slope, and some of the team were not at all reassured by the effective deterrence provided by the patou dogs.
No climb to the pass or the peak this time
We'll be back!

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RICOUT
RICOUT

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in very overcast weather. On the forest track, when you reach the loggers' house, just keep going straight ahead even if you see the GR signpost. Start of the hike: in fact, in the middle of the woods (almost at the start), the path branches off to the left and is not very visible. You are carried away by the wide path and can easily miss the yellow cross... Once you have turned left, there are no more problems. The path in the woods is marked in yellow and also by simple orange lines or dots.
The arrival is pure bliss. There were very few people there that day.

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