Porta walks

A fairly long and challenging hike leading to the Porteille Blanche d'Andorre tripoint on the French-Spanish-Andorran border. Throughout the hike, you will follow the legendary Bonshommes trail (GR®107) which runs alongside the wild Campcardos valley.

It is part of the long (9-day) itinerary around the Carlit, travelling from refuge to refuge, based on the Peyrics tour and using various marked trails.

The village of Portè is a well-known holiday destination in the Alta Cerdanya. Many routes are available in its surroundings, hiking the mountains or connecting the nearby lakes. This is probably the most classical one, visiting the Font Viva lake, under the shadows of the Carlit peak (2921 m.). There, you may find many water sources and falls, pines and flowers, wild and domestic animals.

Part of the long (9-day) itinerary around Carlit, hiking from refuge to refuge, based on the Peyrics tour and using various marked trails.

A high-altitude forest walk to one of the most famous lakes in the Haute-Ariège. This walk through a very wooded and therefore very shady area takes you to a large lake before starting the climb to an ideally located refuge. From this refuge, you can then reach others, En Beys and Les Bouillouses.

A beautiful hike in Haute Ariège, at the gateway to Andorra. The route includes five lakes and small lakes in a high mountain landscape dotted with streams.

Long itinerary around Carlit, hiking from refuge to refuge, based on the Peyrics tour and using various marked trails.Two possible variations to modify the circuit: from 9 stages to 7 stages Ascent of the Carlit: 1 day and return to Les Bouillouses Return via the Lanoux lake: 1 extra day, passing by the foot of the Carlit and the Bésines refuge, or direct return from Porté to L'Hospitalet. Hike completed in July-August 2017

Part of the long route (9 stages) around Carlit, hiking from refuge to refuge, based on the Tour des Pérics and using various marked trails,GRP® andGR® in the area. Initial stage designed to ease you gently into the hike.

A magnificent, demanding day hike in the high mountains towards Puig de Coma d'Or (2,826 m), offering a splendid 360° panorama of the Catalan, Ariège and Andorran Pyrenees. Loop starting from L'Hospitalet-près-l'Andorre station, directly accessible by TER from Toulouse. An overnight stay at the Refuge des Bésines is possible to split this demanding hike into two less difficult hikes.

Part of the long (9-day) itinerary around Carlit, hiking from refuge to refuge, based on the Peyrics tour and using various marked trails.

Part of the long (9-day) itinerary around Carlit, hiking from refuge to refuge, based on the Peyrics tour and using various marked trails.

The third stage takes you through Cerdagne, in the Eastern Pyrenees.The return trip along the ridge (3) to (4) should be done in the absence of fog, rain or frost.I have classified this hike as difficult due to the ridge crossing from (4) to (5) and the descent through the rocks from the Faury pond (10) to the En Beys refuge (E).There are numerous places to stop for a break at the lakes along the way.Be careful of the multiple marked trails:GR®®10-GR®®107-GR®®107-GR®®107(variant) andGRP®® Tour des Pérics -GRP®® Tour des Montagnes d'Ax. Follow the description, the GPX track and the signs on the ground carefully. ⚠️ From (8) to (E)you are in the Orlu National Hunting and Wildlife Reserve, where regulations must be observed. See practical information.

Classic walking roundtrip through the sorroundings of Bolvir, a village in Baixa Cerdanya, Catalonia.

A lovely half-day family walk to the Étang de Comte via the Jasse du Mourguillou.

A beautiful hike in the eastern Pyrenees, about thirty kilometres from Villefranche-sur-Conflent. The site is superb, nicknamed the "Canadian Pyrenees", and you can see horses roaming free. The main loop takes 2½ hours, but you can add an extra hour to see a few more ponds and pass by the foot of Pic Carlit. It's well worth it.

Beautiful views of the Carlit. Three-quarters of the route is shaded near the lakes. Rhododendrons, blueberries, etc.

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.

Part of the long itinerary (9 days) around Carlit, travelling from refuge to refuge, based on the Peyrics tour and using various marked trails. ⚠️ You are entering the Orlu National Hunting and Wildlife Reserve, where regulations must be observed. See practical information.

A wild route to the source of the Aude (or Auda) river, starting from the iconic Lac des Bouillouses. On the agenda: breathtaking views of the Carlit and even the Canigó, streams to cross, pine forests, wide open spaces and, of course, lakes.Please note that access to Les Bouillouses is restricted (check with the departmental council or the Pyrénées Catalanes tourist office).

Fourth and final stage of the tour of the Orlu and Montagne d'Ax reserves.I have classified this stage as difficult because of the 1,650 m descent on a steep and sometimes damaged path.The view from the Couillade d'en Beys (3) to the dam (8) is magnificent.The stage begins by heading in the opposite direction to the previous day's route, taking theGR®®107and theGRP®® Tour des Pérics andGRP®® Tour des Montagnes d'Ax. At (2), be careful to turn right, west, onto theGRP®® Tour des Montagnes d'Ax, and continue until you reach the end of the four-day hike.The estimated time is underestimated: the descent is difficult on steep and degraded paths after the Couillade d'en Beys (3). ⚠️ From (S/E) to (10), you are on the edge of or within the Orlu National Hunting and Wildlife Reserve, where regulations must be observed. See practical information.

Amendment on 12 September 2022: new route marked on the ground, approved on Saturday 10 September 2022.Third stage of the Tour des Pérics. Day classified as difficult. Short distance but difficult terrain.The climb from the refuge d'en Beys to the passage through the Orlu Reserve (2,400 m) is difficult.The balcony path from (6) to (8) is very beautiful. ⚠️ From (S/E) to (5)you are in the Orlu National Hunting and Wildlife Reserve, where regulations must be observed. See practical information.

A first pretty lake with a view of Carlit and a little less crowded than the surrounding lakes, then a return via Lac d'Aude with a beautiful view of Lac des Bouillouses and Carlit.

A classic in the Eastern Pyrenees, this route takes you to the highest point in the department (2,921 metres), passing by more than a dozen small mountain lakes.

Part of the long route (9 days) around Carlit, travelling from refuge to refuge, based on the Peyrics tour and using various marked trails.

Part of the long (9-day) itinerary around Carlit, hiking from refuge to refuge, based on the Tour des Pérics and using various marked trails.

This second day is exceptional. Most of it takes place on ridges from which you can see the Ax 3 Domaines resort on one side and the Plateau de Beille on the other. And everywhere, there are lakes and breathtaking landscapes. This stage is long (nearly 18 km), but you'll never want it to end before you descend into the valley through the forest. It's best to have someone waiting for you in the valley, or else you can reach Ax-les-Thermes on foot or by bus. Be aware that as you will be taking photos and spending time admiring the landscape, you should allow 6½ to 7 hours for the whole trip.

From the start of the hike, pay attention to the common white and red GR® T66 and GR®10 markings, as there are several crossroads and forks in the trail. Please note: the hike is in open terrain until the descent into the forest, well after the Rieutort hut.From the refuge, via the Crête des Isards and up to the Col de la Didorte, what a view! Of course, you need to be very careful on this ridge, which is often steep and jagged. But as soon as you stop, you can enjoy a 360° panorama.The steep descent to the Rieutort hut is on a narrow but safe path, offering beautiful views. The return to the road is not easy, but the path (GR®T66), although steep in places, is well marked throughout the descent.

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.

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

A superb hike between the austere Aston Valley and the equally austere upper part of the Inclès Valley in Andorra. There is a succession of ponds. Don't underestimate the difficulty of this long and technical hike, especially on the Andorran side. But as a group of American hikers we met twice during the hike said, "It is gorgeous."The loop is optimised compared to other routes as it does not descend to the bottom of the Inclès Valley and does not pass by the Refuge du Ruhle. But overall, it is very well marked!

Please note: the approach walk along the road is the only part of the hike that is in the shade if you set off early enough in the morning. This is the only way to complete this loop. It may seem tedious, but the landscape is very beautiful.The hike can be classified as quite difficult. After the footbridge over the Ruisseau de la Coume de Varilhes, the path is not easy: steep, with steps, a paved scree slope, a ledge to cross, etc. But once you reach the top, you will be rewarded. Then the GR®T66 from the largest of the Étang de Fontagente lakes to the refuge is more of the same. This is definitely a mountain hike.

A very pretty mountain circuit with an overnight stay at the Refuge du Ruhle. The ascent is via the Coume de Varilhes, the Étangs de Fontagente and the Aston to reach the Refuge du Rulhe. The return journey will be via the beautiful Crête des Isards, the Col de la Didorte and the Cabane de Rieutort.