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.

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

1. S

   Marc's Lodge - Refuge du Pinet

   6.94 km 1,223 m 11 m

   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.

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2. 2

   Refuge du Pinet - Montcalm/Estats/Verdaguer Peaks - Refuge Vallferrera

   12.61 km 1,154 m 1,460 m

   The second day is a high-mountain stage passing through the highest point of this itinerary: Pic d'Estats, as well as two other peaks over 3,000 m nearby, Pic du Montcalm and Pic de Verdaguer. The route is largely over scree and rocky terrain, which will greatly appeal to mineral enthusiasts. The trail largely follows the Porta del Cel hike and the GR®T61. Although not particularly technical, this stage should not be taken lightly due to its altitude (three peaks over 3,000 metres), its length, its elevation gain and its trails composed of loose stones that can make progress difficult.

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3. 3

   Vallferrera Refuge - Pic de Comapedrosa - Comapedrosa Refuge

   11.07 km 1,136 m 777 m

   Third stage passing through the highest point in Andorra: Pic de Comapedrosa. A high-mountain stage with no particular difficulties apart from the climb to Portella de Baiau over scree and the descent along the somewhat exposed ridge of Pic de Comapedrosa.

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4. 4

   Comapedrosa Refuge - El Serrat

   13.91 km 710 m 1,405 m

   The fourth stage is in the high mountains, easier than the previous two, allowing you to reduce your effort. Many trails through forests and woodlands make for a more bucolic and enjoyable hike. This stage presents no technical difficulties, but orientation and following the route are complicated due to numerous crossings and intersections of hiking trails. It is essential to have a hiking app and the GPX track to avoid getting lost.

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5. 5

   El Serrat - Pic de Tristagne - Refuge de l'Étang Fourcat

   9.89 km 1,319 m 450 m

   The fifth and final stage of the high-mountain route passes by the iconic Pic de Tristagne, which towers over the many lakes in the surrounding area, and its short, fairly exposed ridge route, before returning to France via the magnificent Étangs Fourcat site.

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6. E

   Refuge Fourcat - Marc's lodge

   15.71 km 380 m 1,816 m

   This is the sixth and final stage of the Tour des Géants des Trois Nations, which has a steep descent (1,800 m of elevation loss, which will hurt your joints) to return to the starting point of this journey. This stage passes by the Fourcat Waterfall, the beautiful Izourt Pond and the forests of Goulier-Auzat and Montcalm.

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