Please note that the descent is described as dangerous by some hikers. See the reviews and let us know if you have any information, but please remain cautious
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Park at the Artigue car park.
(S/E) Head south-east and follow the marked path towards Refuge du Pinet. Quickly leave the path that leads to Port de l'Artigue on your right, cross the stream on a footbridge and continue left at the next fork. After about 800m, leave the Orris de Pujol path on your left. The path gradually emerges from the forest and leads to a mountain pasture with a magnificent view of the impressive Bassiès massif to the north.
(1) At the fork, leave the path that climbs directly to the Refuge du Pinet on your right and turn left towards the Étang Sourd.
(2) At the lake, walk along its right-hand side until you reach the hut where the path to Le Pinet starts, then continue to the refuge.
(3) At the Refuge du Pinet, head south and follow the path on the left towards the Étang d'Estats (2,420 m): there are grassy areas where you can camp.
(4) Continue to the Étang du Montcalm.
(5) Follow the well-marked trail that passes several rocky outcrops. The view gradually rises! At the trail junction, turn left to reach the Col du Montcalm (2,970 m).
(6) From this pass, take the well-marked path on the right that leads to the ridge and a small pass below the Pique d'Estats (3,100 m).
(7) Turn left to reach the Pique d'Estats. There is about 40m of elevation gain left where you will need to use your hands, but none of the passages are very exposed.
(8) On the narrow summit ridge, there are a number of crosses and plaques bearing the image of Catalonia. The wide view takes in all the surrounding mountains of Ariège (Bassiès, Fourcat, Valier, etc.), Spain (Aneto visible on this day!) and Andorra! Descend to the small pass.
(7) Once at the pass, continue along the ridge opposite to reach the Pic de Verdaguer (3,129 m) in 5 minutes.
(9) Once back at the pass, descend to the left and join the Col du Montcalm.
(6) Continue straight ahead on the ridge to reach the summit of Montcalm (3,077 m). This wide dome offers a splendid view of the Estats opposite.
(10) From there, we chose to descend via the Tables du Montcalm. However, as mentioned in the Practical Information section, this impressive route can be dangerous in some places and it is advisable for those who are not familiar with it to return via the ascent route.
To pass through the Tables du Montcalm, follow the cairns carefully and descend slowly to the other side of the dome. The path is well marked until you reach the top of the first chimney.
(11) From here, you can see the Pla-Subra valley far below and appreciate the sheer vertical drop ahead. Take care if you suffer from vertigo! This chimney is around 100 metres high and the rock is very unstable and crumbles easily. You will need to use your hands to climb down.
(12) Grass-covered ledge. The route heads south-east, plunging to the right of a large cairn in a narrow, steep scree couloir exposed to rockfalls. It emerges onto a wide ledge where you will find the Tables du Montcalm lake.
(13) Stay at the top of the spillway and follow the small ridge to the east, avoiding descending too far towards the stream. Some passages are tricky (rocks 2-3 metres high where you need to use your hands), but follow the cairns as closely as possible until you reach another grassy plateau.
On the right, a grassy couloir (easier than the rock) plunges down and must be followed to the bottom. The few rocks are unstable but it is difficult to take the wrong route as the couloir is obvious and the cairns are visible at the bottom. We kept to the left side on the descent, which seemed easier than the right.
(14) Exit of the corridor. The path becomes better defined and begins a slow descent down the side of the slope to the Jasse de Pla-Subra.
(15) Orris de Pla-Subra. The interior is very small but it was enough to shelter us during a storm! Continue on the path heading north and join the Orris de Pujol.
(16) The path continues to the forest road and crosses it several times to avoid the numerous hairpin bends. Pay close attention to the trailheads to cut across this track. This descent proved to be very long at the end of the day after all the walking. Join the Artigue road at the Chalet du Montcalm.
(17) Follow this road to the left to return to the car park where you started (S/E).
Visorando member
Moderate 
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