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Sem walks
Col de Risoul and Rancié Mines circular.
A beautiful route alternating between beech forests, stunning views of the Os Valley and old iron mines, starting from the small village of Sem, above Vicdessos. Best done in dry, clear weather.
The Mine Trail
The mining trail winds its way through the woods around the delightful Sem valley. Follow in the footsteps of the former miners of Rancié and discover the past.
La Pique d'Endron
The Pique d'Endron is a central viewpoint in the Haute-Ariège. From here, you can see the Montcalm massif and the Bassiès massif with its terraced lakes up close, and you can look out over two large ponds: Gnioure with its small island and Izourt. The view to the north stretches far into the distance. The outing is relatively short but quite challenging with its 1,000 m elevation gain, dizzying views and a short passage where you have to "use your hands".
Bassiès ponds
The granite cirque of Bassiès, near the Montcalm massif, is impressive for its size and its lakes. It is accessed from the right bank of the steeply-sided Bassiès stream via a comfortable but steep path that passes through a beautiful forest before coming out onto a rocky outcrop that marks the first lake. The descent is on the other bank, which is just as steep, following a well-maintained stony mule track.
The Izourt Pond
A beautiful hike ending at the Étang d'Izourt with a stunning view. The Étang d'Izourt is a dam lake with a tragic history (read about it on the commemorative plaque).
There are two paths you can take to get to the Étang d'Izourt: the left bank or the right bank of the stream. The outward journey is on the right bank of the Arties stream and the return journey is on the left bank.
The Génat Plateau
A lovely viewpoint, a dolmen and a rural plateau.
Artax pond loop
A beautiful loop starting from the village of Gourbit.Passing by the Étang d'Artax (Artats), the Roc de Querquéou and the Col de Lastris.The viewpoint, at an altitude of almost 1,900 metres, is a feast for the eyes.
Tour of the Giants of the Three Nations
A beautiful cross-border high mountain loop between France, Spain and Andorra, which takes you through the highest peaks of Ariège and Andorra, as well as other iconic peaks in the region. It also allows you to discover numerous lakes and ponds, as well as a multitude of different landscapes (forests, summer pastures, scree slopes, etc.) to delight all hikers. This itinerary takes us through three natural parks: the Ariège Pyrenees Regional Nature Park, the Alt Pirineu Natural Park and the Coma Pedrosa Valley Nature Park.
Marc's Lodge - Refuge du Pinet
The first stage of the journey, the shortest and easiest, to warm up your legs, passing through the Bois de Fontanal and the Étang Sourd to the Refuge du Pinet. The elevation gain is still significant.
Circular Artax via the Étang Bleu de la Courbière
A beautiful circular starting from the small village of Gourbit. You will pass through Artax, then Pic de Bassibié and Pic de Pioulou, before descending to the Étangs Bleus de la Courbière via the Col de la Couillate. Finally, the hike ends at the Cirque d'Embans, the Cabane d'Embanels and then a climb back up to the village of Gourbit.
L'Étang Bleu
This high-altitude hike gives you an exact view of the high mountains of the Ariège and their perched ponds. This small pond in a peaceful setting has an immediate charm.
Moderator's warning as of 22/03/2021: Caution! in snowy conditions, very tricky passage; see reviews
Pic des Trois Seigneurs ridge via the Rabat slope
This peak at the gateway to the Pyrenees, 1 hour from Toulouse, offers a magnificent panorama of the 3000-metre peaks (Montcalm, Pic d'Estats). The hike is a little challenging, but the varied landscapes (streams, ponds, meadows, peaks) more than make up for the effort. There are no real technical difficulties, apart from the need to use your hands occasionally on certain sections of the ascent or descent.
Col de Larnat and Col Doulent
A beautiful nature hike in the mid-mountains, starting from the small village of Larnat. The ridge passages and side traverses offer extensive panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and the Ariège valley. The entire route is on wide stony or partially grassy paths and ends on the Doulent forest road through a beautiful forest of beech and spruce trees.
This hike can be done on snowshoes, in which case it is rated as difficult.
Circular via Port de Lers, Port de Bassiès and Pas de la Portère
A beautiful circular starting from Port de Lers, passing by Pic de Girantes (or Mont Ceint) with magnificent 360° views, then descending to Port de Saleix and climbing back up to Port de Bassiès with superb views of the refuge and the Bassiès lakes. Return via Pas de la Portère via a difficult climb.
The Pic des Trois Seigneurs loop
A circular walk in a magnificent landscape bathed in a calm and soothing atmosphere. This loop will delight lovers of peace and quiet as well as those wishing to reconnect with nature.
Gourbit circular starting from Rabat-les-Trois-Seigneurs
A family hike accessible to all, including children, in an area rich in pastoral history.
This hike gives pride of place to wooded trails and highlights the waters of the Torrent de la Courbière.
Beautiful mountain views and magnificent undergrowth.
"Le Monolithe" and the summit of Roche Ronde from Rabat
Starting from the Contrac car park in Rabat-les-Trois-Seigneurs, this is an accessible circular route with beautiful sights along the way.After the first climb, you will reach the architectural structure "Le Monolithe", created by students from the Toulouse School of Architecture: an unusual seat with a view over the valley. Then enjoy the panorama from the ruins of the ancient Cathar castle of La Roche Ronde, before finally descending past the Calamès Cave and its climbing site.
Étang and Refuge du Pinet circular
A very beautiful hike, but one that has to be earned. 1,000 metres of elevation gain over a short distance. The variety of paths taken, including rivers, forests, mountainsides and lakes, will make you forget the difficulty. The view of the Bassiès massif on the way up and down is truly magnificent. The best part: the welcome at the refuge is very warm. From the refuge, you can continue on to several other lakes, or enjoy the beautiful view of all the 3,000-metre peaks around Montcalm.
The Artigue waterfalls
A gentle walk to the Artigue waterfalls.
Pique d'Estats and Montcalm
This high mountain hike allows you to climb the two iconic peaks of the Vicdessos valley in Ariège: the Pique d'Estats and Montcalm!
Montcalm (3,077 m) is the first "3,000" peak in the Pyrenees when coming from the Mediterranean, and Pique d'Estats (3,143 m) is the highest peak in Catalonia, which explains their symbolic status.
Please note that the descent is described as dangerous by some hikers. See the reviews and let us know if you have any information, but please remain cautious
Artigue Waterfall Loop
A lovely loop around the Ruisseau de l'Artigue and Estats.
This loop allows you to avoid the crowds that can gather in summer due to the easy access to the waterfall and the canyoning activity.
La Roche Ronde between Rabat-les-Trois-Seigneurs and Bédeilhac
An easy hike between Rabat-les-Trois-Seigneurs and Bédeilhac offering a beautiful view of the valley from the Roche Ronde.
Col d'Ussat via Clot de la Carbonnière
Located on the outskirts of Tarascon-sur-Ariège, this hike gradually takes you up the slopes where you can admire the Ariège, Tarascon and several peaks of the Pyrenees!
The 4 lakes of Picot
A beautiful hike in the Mounicou Valley (Soulcem) that invites you to contemplate four little-visited lakes.The goal of the day is to discover the four Picot lakes! While the first two are rather unremarkable, thethird andfourth have a charm that strikes you as soon as you see them and rewards you for your efforts.