The Bouillouses Dam via the GR® 10 and the Têt Valley

Park in the car park between Font Romeu and Mont-Louis, along the D618, at the junction with the D10 which crosses it. There are picnic tables. You can also park 300 m further on, in a large, spacious car park.

(S/E) Follow the^GR® 10 northwards and join a track.

(1) Follow it to the right for 15 m, then head up to the left for 20 m until you reach a fork. Continue straight ahead along the^GR®10all the way to Estany de la Pradella (Pradeilles Pond).

(2) At the lake hut, leave the^GR®10and turn left. At the next fork, continue straight on and join the^GRP® Tour du Carlit. Follow it to the right, towards the Barrage des Bouillouses.

(3) Turn right and cross the dam via the^GR®10. Turn right, pass the Auberge du Carlit on your left, and continue along the road for about 20 metres. Directional signposts.

(4) Before the Chalet refuge des Bouillouses, turn left. Continue to follow the^GR® 10 and^GRP® Tour du Carlit - Tour des Pérics. You will reach a fork in the forest.

(5) Keep right on the^GR®10and head down to the road. Cross it carefully, then cross the River Têt via a wide bridge to reach a fork in the path. Signposts.

(6) Leave the^GR® 10 and head left, south-east, up a marked path through the forest.

(7) Reach Estany Llarg (long pond). Continue to the right along the marked path.

(8) Arrive at Estany Negre (Black Pond). Continue to the right, southwards, still on the marked path, and reach a fork (elevation 1935m).

(9) Continue left (east) and, after the tricky section and the stony descent, reach a fork.

(10) Turn right and reach the banks of the Têt.

(11) Without crossing it, turn right and descend to Pla dels Avellans.

(12) Turn right and follow the track for about 150 m.

(13) Turn left onto the path that runs alongside the Têt. Much further on, you’ll reach a junction of three tracks and a path.

(14) Follow the track to the left, keeping an eye out for the markings, and you’ll come to another cross-track.

(15) Take this other, more clearly marked track to the right for 150 m, until you reach a fork.

(16) Stay on the track to the right to reach, further on, a larger track suitable for vehicles.

(17) Turn left onto this track. Pass another track on the left and immediately reach a fork in the tracks.

(18) Turn left onto the track and follow it for 20 m until you reach a junction with a path.

(19) Turn right, south-east to south, onto the transhumance path (Camí dels Capcinesos), to avoid the track. After a short while, at a junction of three tracks, turn right onto a track (north-west) and rejoin the wide track you left earlier.

(20) Turn left onto it until you reach a car park near the D618.

(21) Turn right onto the signposted path, keeping parallel to the road (on your left). This will take you back to the original junction.

(1) Turn left and you will soon rejoin the (S/E).

Information point at Lac des Bouillouses for other hikes: 9 ponds, 12 ponds, or even continue the ascent to Carlit. Food and accommodation available.

A paid shuttle bus takes you up to and down from the dam from various access points.

The free car park at the dam is also accessible by car before 7 am. Wait for a shuttle bus to open the barrier before leaving. No camping, campervans or vans are permitted in the dam car park after 7 pm.