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Access: In Tarascon-sur-Ariège, follow the RN20 towards Ax-les-Thermes. Turn right towards Les Cabannes, then follow the D520A towards the Riete and Laparan dams, going up the Aston valley. Park just before the Laparan dam on a flat, open space.
(S/E) Pass the dam on your right and continue south-east on the road, which immediately gives way to a wide track. Continue to a small car park located about 500 metres further on.
White and red GRT markings
(1) At the information boards, leave the track and take the path that climbs left towards the Rieutort valley and the Refuge du Rhule. After a fairly steep climb through the woods, you will come out onto a flat area. The path becomes easier as it follows the Rieutort torrent. Mountain pines, gentians, rhododendrons and foxgloves punctuate the walk in a wild and magnificent landscape.
(2) With the Rieutort hut in sight on your left, partially hidden by a large rock pile, cross the metal footbridge over the stream and follow the path, which initially climbs steeply before levelling out and heading south-east.
About a hundred metres before a wooden signpost, leave the marked trail and turn sharply right, heading west, to quickly reach the Étang du Ruillé lake. Then retrace your steps and return to the signpost.
(3) Return to the marked trail, turning right and continuing for about 200 metres.
Off-trail section, no markings
(4) At a flat section, leave the marked trail by turning right and cross a small stream. Look for a rocky outcrop to the south-east with a small, distinct, unnamed pass in the middle, which you will need to reach. The path is difficult in places covered with gispet and rhododendrons, which are quite treacherous and require your full attention. Make several turns to negotiate the extremely steep slope, aiming for a scree slope located about a hundred metres below the pass. Climb up this slope and cross the last section to reach the pass.
(5) Take a well-deserved break after this short but very challenging section. About ten metres further on, you will finally discover the Étang de Montaut lake in its mineral cirque dominated by the Pic de Pradel, an ideal spot for a picnic.
Leave the lake, keeping south-southwest. After crossing several unstable rocks, you will reach the base of a large chaos of boulders at the foot of Pic de Pradel.
(6) Change direction and turn left, heading south-east, along the rocky valley on your left. The descent is very difficult on the unstable rocky or grassy sections, which are particularly slippery. Keep heading south-east, negotiating the difficulties as best you can and aiming for the GRT trail you left earlier, which is clearly visible below.
(7) Once you reach an easier grassy section, turn left, then right a hundred metres further on to rejoin the GRT.
White and red GRT markings
(8) Follow the GRT to the right. After a relatively flat section, the path climbs steeply to reach the Col du Riutort (signpost).
(9) Leave the path leading to Pic de Pradel on your right and continue straight ahead. At the junction with the Col de Terre Nègre path (signpost), leave this path on your left and continue to the right towards the Refuge du Ruhle.
(10) Leave the refuge by following the southbound path and leave theGR®10on your left.
(11) About twenty metres before the first pond, leave the path on the right and continue straight ahead to quickly reach the Estagnol after crossing a small rocky outcrop.
(12) Enjoy the view dominated by the Pic Nègre de Joclar, then turn back.
(11) Turn left, cross the outlet of the small pond and follow the path to the large Étang de Fontargente.
(13) At the edge of the pond, walk along its right-hand side for about 50 metres to reach a track that leads away from it and heads north-east.
YellowPR® markings
Follow the marked trail, which is sometimes quite steep, taking the time to admire the herds grazing below. Reach the small Estagnol stream in Jasse de Pinet.
(14) Cross the stream on the metal footbridge and continue down the fairly steep and difficult descent to the Pla de las Peyres car park.
(15) Continue straight ahead and follow the wide track to the starting point (S/E).
Visorando Member
Moderate 
Difficult 
