Refuge d'en Beys - Orlu via the Étang de Naguille

Red and white markings on^{the GR®®} 7 and^GRP®® Tour des Pérics trails.

(S) From the refuge, take the same route as the previous day, heading south-west.

(1) Fork in the path. Do not descend towards the footbridge.
Continue straight ahead, still heading south-west. Pass the Étang de la Couillade on your right. Very rocky landscape. You will come to a fork and directional signs fixed in the rocks.

Red and yellow^GRP®® Tour des Montagnes d'Axmarkings.

(2) Continue now, to the right, climbing steeply, first west, then due north, and then 90° west again towards a passage (at around 2,355 m). Reach the highest point of the hike (at around 2,390 m) and descend slightly towards the Couillade d'en Beys. This marks the end of the Orlu National Hunting and Wildlife Reserve. The landscape changes dramatically and opens up to wide open spaces.
Magnificent view of the numerous Peyrisses ponds.

(3) Head completely right, due north, descending above a scree slope.
after about 400 m of descent, you can turn left at the edge of the first pond.
Follow a small lake on your left (at around 2,250 m). Continue downhill between small lakes.

(4) Ford the Ruisseau d'Eychouzé and turn north-west.

(5) The restored Eychouzé hut is often occupied by a shepherd. Continue until you reach the footbridge over the Ruisseau d'Eychouzé.

(6) Cross it and head west, then north-west to follow the Étang de Naguille. Reach the footbridge over the water inlet of the Étang Déroun spillway. Waterfall. Ruins of a building on the right.

(7) Follow the old railway line along the left bank of the pond (Coumo de Nioles).
Cross the streams flowing down from the mountains and arrive at the dam.
50 m after the waterfall, a path on the left leads up to the Étang Déroun, southwest, then south, on the left bank of the torrent flowing down from the spillway.

(8) I recommend taking a break here. You still have a 950 m descent ahead of you on a path that is very steep in places. It was used for the construction of the dam and for mining.
Descend the switchbacks towards the Ruisseau d'Eychouzé.

(9) Cross a footbridge. Continue along the right bank of the stream towards the buildings. Follow the cable car installations (EDF) for a while.

(10) Cross a footbridge. Continue along the left bank of the stream, passing under the cable car installations that run straight ahead at the bottom of the valley.
Continue downhill. Reach the penstock and turn right at a right angle, heading south-east without crossing the Riou Fred. Reach a track suitable for vehicles.

(11) Turn completely left onto the track, on the left bank of the Oriège.

(12) Leave the track, keeping to the left bank of the Oriège.

(13) Cross a small road at a car park, keeping on the left bank.

(14) On the outskirts of the village, turn right over the road bridge over the Oriège and head for the car park (E).

We started this stage in foggy conditions, then in the rain from the Étang de Naguille to Orlu. The long descent from the dam was no walk in the park.
Allow at least 5 hours of walking for this stage.
There is a lot of water along the way: bring a filter or disinfectant tablets.
Shelter: Eychouzé refuge and under the eaves of buildings below the dam.
This is a hike in a mountainous area. You will therefore need: warm and waterproof clothing, water, snacks, a route map, a description, a map, a GPS device, a camera, good walking shoes and possibly a walking stick.
Additional equipment for multi-day hikes is described in the summary for the four days.

National reserve: rules to follow

A national reserve isa protected natural area. Its regulations, adapted to the local context, aim to preserve this exceptional territory in a sustainable manner. They are based on common sense and good citizenship.

It is forbidden to:

• leave the marked trails,

• light fires,

• litter,

• fly drones,

• pick plants,

• camping (only bivouacking is permitted between 6 p.m. and 9 a.m.),

• walking with dogs, even on a leash,

• hunting (prohibited),

• fishing (strictly regulated).

All these prohibitions are set out inthe prefectural decree of 1 September 2020.
👉 Failure to comply is punishableby a fine of €135 (4th class offence).

For those who wish to climb the Pic de Braseil, known as the Dent d'Orlu.
There are two options:
stay overnight in Orlu at the stopover lodge and drive to the Forge d'Ascou the next day.
2) Take your vehicle on the same day and stay overnight at the Forge d'Ascou
To get to the start of the hike, drive up to the hamlet of La Farge via the D25 from Ax-les-Thermes. Then follow the small road along the lake. Turn left at the first north-east track (altitude 1,100 metres). At the next fork (altitude 1,306 metres), keep right to reach the circular car park at Jasse de Cabane Longue. Please note that the track is not maintained and may be damaged and in very poor condition.
accommodation in the Orlu Valley
If the weather permits, it is possible to visit several lakes along this stage.
The Naguilhes or Naguille lake (elevation 1890) was enlarged in the^20th century by successive dams built between 1955 and 1958 and supplies the Orlu hydroelectric power station.