Rivière de l'aston walks

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

This is an easy hike. It is ideal in June when flowers and rhododendrons are everywhere. The ponds are magnificent. If you feel like swimming, choose the second one, as it will be less crowded. In summer, the site can be very busy. We preferred to do the loop in an anti-clockwise direction: fewer people and a more even climb.

This hike takes you past several clear-water lakes and visits various cirques and mountain pastures.

A demanding hike in the upper Aston valley starting from the Laparan dam. After the climb up the Riutort valley, the high-altitude lakes unfold in a magnificent mountain cirque. A stop at the Refuge du Rhule will be welcome after the tough off-trail section leading to the small Étang de Montaut lake. Finally, the descent to the Jasse de Pinet and the Pla de las Peyres will offer a glimpse of the pastoral life that still thrives in these places untouched by mass tourism.

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.

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.