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From Tarascon or Foix, head towards Château-Verdun. From there, head towards Aston. Pass the Riète dam and continue along the road to the Étang de Laparan lake. The completely ruined track that used to lead to Le Plat des Peyres is now just a bad memory. Follow this new road to the terminus at Le Plat des Peyres. There are plenty of parking spaces.
(S/E) At the southern end of the car park, take the path heading south towards Refuge du Ruhle. As it approaches Aston, it roughly follows a contour line on Plat des Peyres. At an altitude of 1,740 metres, it veers south-east and begins to climb steeply. At around 1,840 metres, you will reach the fork for Refuge du Ruhle.
(1) Follow the path straight ahead marked: Étang de Fontargente. The slope levels out and runs along the right bank of the Aston. At 1,890 metres, you will reach a footbridge.
(2) Cross over and continue on the left bank. Follow the path that winds its way between the rocks towards the south. After 250 m, the path turns south-east and the slope becomes steeper. You will reach a plateau at 2,070 m.
(3) The path continues southwards as it climbs. On a plateau, it veers westwards and joins the Étangs de Fontargente. These lakes are magnificent. In summer, many horses graze around them.
(4) After a well-deserved rest, begin the descent towards the Ruisseau de l'Estagnol and the lakes of the same name. Walk along the lake for a few metres towards the south-east. At a stream, turn north-east and follow a well-marked path that veers south-east just before a stony path.
(5) This path crosses a scree slope and becomes hard on the knees, as the stones are often unstable.
(6) At the end of the scree, continue east to the Lac de l'Estagnol spillway.
(7) Ford the lake and follow a well-marked path (sign) due north to the Refuge du Ruhle (2,190 m), the junction of severalGR® trails.
(8) Behind the refuge, take the path furthest to the left, which follows a contour line through the meadows. You will arrive at the confluence of two streams, which are often dry.
(9) The well-marked path branches off due west and leads to the Cabane de Garsan. Follow this path to the fork in the path you took on the way up.
(1) Descend to the right to the Le Plat des Peyres car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Difficult 
