The Carlit ponds

A wonderful, refreshing getaway, accessible to all, in the heart of unspoilt wilderness at the foot of the "roof" of the Pyrénées-Orientales. An ideal route for immersing yourself in the beauty of the high-altitude landscapes around the listed site of Les Bouillouses. A refreshing hike that I recommend doing at dawn.

⚠️ Restricted access: see practical information.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.38 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,230 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,224 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 7,762 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 6,568 ft

Description of the walk

Outside regulated periods, or with a reservation at one of the accommodations, park in the car park at the foot of the dam.

(S/E) From the car park, head west until you reach the sign indicating several directions.

(1) Leave the GR®10 and GRP® trails. Take the Carlit ponds trail opposite, which climbs westwards. After a little over 100 m of elevation gain, for about 1.5 km, you will reach an intersection.

(2) Leave the Estany del Viver on your right. Turn left towards Carlit. The trail passes between the Estany Sec and the Estany de la Comassa. Climb slightly, behind you: superb views of the Estany Llat with the surrounding peaks. Continue along the ridge, with Carlit as your guide, and join a footbridge near the Estany de Vallell.

(3) Cross the footbridge and turn left, heading west towards Carlit. There are superb views of Estany Long on your left. Continue until you reach the junction with the Puig Carlit climb.

(4) Below is the Estany de Sobirans. Turn right, heading east, to continue along the Carlit lakes trail. Pass the Estany Sobirans and follow the Trebens lake before taking a footbridge.

(5) Go around the Estany d'en Gombau on the left. A few metres further on, there are magnificent views of the Estany del Castellar below on the left. Follow the yellow trail and, further on, cross a footbridge before reaching an intersection.

(6) Head south-east towards Les Bouillouses and walk along the right-hand side of the Estany de les Dugues. Start descending along a stream until you reach a flat area with two footbridges. Go around the Estany del Viver on the right before returning to the starting point.

(2) Retrace your steps in the opposite direction to return to the Bouillouses car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 6,568 ft - Les Bouillouses car park - Lac des Bouillouses
  2. 1 : mi 0.12 - alt. 6,624 ft - Crossroads
  3. 2 : mi 1.01 - alt. 7,031 ft - Crossroads of the loop - Estany del Viver
  4. 3 : mi 2.28 - alt. 7,290 ft - Footbridge - Lac Bailleul (Estany de Vallell)
  5. 4 : mi 3.18 - alt. 7,756 ft - Carlit route intersection
  6. 5 : mi 3.9 - alt. 7,579 ft - Footbridge - Estany de Trebens
  7. 6 : mi 4.46 - alt. 7,346 ft - Intersection Signpost - Estany de la Dugues
  8. S/E : mi 6.38 - alt. 6,568 ft - Les Bouillouses car park - Têt (fleuve)

Notes

Worth a visit

After the viewpoint (4), you can start the climb up Carlit

There are multiple routes starting from Les Bouillouses, including the GR®10, Lac d'Aude, etc.

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

4.8 / 5
Based on 16 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
User 6803195

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An exceptional walk thanks to the variety of landscapes and the chance to discover the various ponds along the circular route!
Rocky for the first third, it then continues over softer terrain
The circular route allows you to reach the summit of Carlit (optional) or to continue straight on towards the descent, which also offers magnificent views.
In high season, arrive before 7.00 am; from this time onwards, the access road is closed to allow the numerous shuttle buses to drop hikers off directly at the foot of the dam, the starting point of the walk
It gets very busy during the high season, so if possible, opt for spring or September

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Ontheroadagain66
Ontheroadagain66
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Walk on 14 August 2026: mild weather, 9 degrees in the morning on arrival, just over 20 in the afternoon at the end of the walk. Shuttle bus from the car park to the lake – very well organised. Not much of a wait. A fairly easy walk despite the stones and the elevation gain. Some truly beautiful scenery. A lovely day out with the family.

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alff
alff

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It’s bound to be busy during the summer months, particularly on the descent on the way back. However, the scenery is absolutely stunning, and the route is of moderate difficulty.

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Emilie66
Emilie66

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 29, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent walk, with a lovely view of the Pic du Carlit. The description matches the walk perfectly. I think the elevation gain is well spread out. It’s really lovely to wander from lake to lake.
I’m putting this in my top ten hikes!!!!

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Aurélien USCLADE
Aurélien USCLADE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike to do at around 8 am.
The weather changes quite quickly, especially during the climb up the Carlit. The scenery is magnificent, with its succession of lakes. A few patches of snow still lingering add to the beauty of the landscape.

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jcbeyl
jcbeyl

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We went on this superb hike on 15 July. You need to park in the car park at the entrance to the site and take a shuttle bus (€8.50 per person return) to the Bouillouses dam, where the hike starts. The start is quite steep with lots of stones and roots, but after that it’s very pleasant and stunning. You can choose to climb to the summit of Carlit, which involves an extra 1 hour 25 minutes’ climb, as indicated on the sign where the circular walk begins its descent. The shuttle we took at 8.30 am was a bit crowded, but after that it was quiet. It really is one of
one of the most beautiful hikes we’ve ever done. 😊

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alvi
alvi

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

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BARATIER Bernard
BARATIER Bernard

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 29, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

One of the most beautiful hikes I’ve done so far.
Absolutely stunning scenery with a succession of lakes, torrents and lush green vegetation at this time of year.
Highly recommended if you’re in the area. However, avoid it after the end of June due to the crowds (there’s a shuttle bus service from the bottom of the valley).

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gittebri
gittebri

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 29, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent walk amongst lakes and rhododendrons. There are various options depending on your fitness level (9 lakes, 12 lakes, with or without the climb to Carlit...).
It’s a very popular route, but at the end of June, it wasn’t too busy.
For those who prefer solitude, I’d recommend the walk round Lac des Bouillouses via the headwaters of the Aude: I must have come across three people in total. It’s also really lovely (apart from the end, where you have to walk back up to the car park).

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berlou christian
berlou christian

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike of moderate difficulty; set off fairly early in the morning, between 8 and 9 am

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VALMON G
VALMON G

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike with stunning views. No particular difficulty, although some sections are quite steep.

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User 3835703

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike! A real pleasure. No particular difficulties. We were there at the end of August, so it wasn't too crowded and it was pleasant. It's always best to go as early as possible.

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User 15391293

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

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François Calais
François Calais

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 : Yes

:Beautiful hike, lots of lakes, a few rocky climbs and descents, quite crowded but a very beautiful hike

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MP68
MP68

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent hike - idyllic landscapes.
The start and end of the hike are steep (same path)
Just one point: the elevation gain mentioned is much lower than what we recorded with Visorando: approximately 550 m!

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