Cross-border hiking in the Pyrenees

Hello JMO
Thank you for your feedback
I do agree with you. It’s better to take a tent; this allows you to break up the first stage, which is a bit long (this is also what I mention in the hike description, especially as you might get caught in fog and have to stop).
You can then camp, for example, at Plat d’Arcalis or Plat de Boet, and then stop off at the Comapedrosa mountain hut…
I had planned this route with permanent mountain huts for hikers who don’t want to camp, but personally, I preferred to camp as it offers more flexibility in how the stages are organised.
Best regards

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Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello
A lovely hike, not recommended for beginners... the first section is long. The final descent towards the “Pla de l’Estany” is long, especially as it’s followed by the final climb – not steep but long – and you can’t see the end of it, making the Monfort de Maria refuge seem unreachable. The rest is fairly easy. Bring a tent as the refuge, which is only partially open, has just 9 to 12 beds.
IMHO

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Hello
I’ve looked at the route, but apart from the Portella de Baiau, which is quite steep, there aren’t any really difficult sections.
It’s steep, but you don’t need to use your hands, and I don’t think a dog would have any trouble getting through.
Also, if you’re camping, you can easily plan the route differently with campsites that allow for shorter stages
Best regards

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Hello,
Do you think this route is suitable for a dog? I’m used to camping with my dog, but there mustn’t be any sections involving climbing, ladders or regional parks, for example. Thank you

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Absolutely! 😊

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Date of your route : Aug 31, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Spot on! Indeed, according to OpenTopoMap, it looks as though you can continue on from the Colls dels Estanys Forcats towards the Pic de les Fonts without going via the “Pla de l’Estany”. I hadn’t thought of that at the time, but it does look like a very elegant route! A good excuse to come back in a few years’ time

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Hello Guibarre
Thank you for your comment and well done on your slightly more challenging route than the original one.
Looking at the map, I thought that after Pic de Medecourbe and the lake below it, it would then be possible to take the route via Pic des Fonts and Pic de la Burna before reaching the lovely lake where you camped.
On this alternative route, you don’t pass by the Les Fonts refuge.
For adventurous walkers, it is possible after Port de Bouet to reach the Baiau refuge without descending all the way into the valley... but off the beaten track.
Kind regards

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Date of your route : Aug 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A fantastic hike – definitely worth doing!
On the second day, we passed through the “Colls dels Estanys Forcats” and climbed the Médecourbe, without any significant difficulty (don’t be afraid to use your hands a few times, but it’s still a hike and not a climb!). Fantastic view from the top. The route continues to be magnificent and leads effortlessly back to the Les Fonts refuge.
To camp, we pushed on to the Estany de l’Angonella (Llac del Mig), where a superb, well-sheltered meadow allowed us to weather a persistent storm.
The third day was then more relaxed as we made our way back down to Lac de Soulcem.

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Hello, yes, we were indeed carrying 12-kilo rucksacks, which didn’t exactly make things any easier
The scenery was stunning – definitely worth doing if you’re up to it. Thanks for your reply!

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Hello Fredo
I’m really glad you were able to complete this hike, which is indeed quite demanding. That’s why I rated it as difficult.
The first stage is quite long, and it’s possible to shorten it by camping below the Col de Bouet… but that means carrying a bit more weight.
As for the difficult sections, I did the hike a few years ago and I remember the pass below the Pic de Baiau, which is very impressive when viewed from below, very steep on the final ascent but, as far as I can recall, not really dangerous. Going downhill, it’s probably trickier… I don’t recall any other difficult sections.
Kind regards

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Date of your route : Aug 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It’s absolutely stunning, but should only be attempted if you’re in excellent physical condition. It’s a very difficult route with numerous challenging sections.

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