Vaychis walks

First challenging stage of discovery in a preserved environment. Basic map reading and orienteering skills are required. The GPX track on Visorando or on a GPS device is very useful from the start and at the numerous junctions. It is entirely possible to shorten the route if necessary: see practical information.

A lovely little peak to climb when you have an hour to spare. Very accessible, it offers a beautiful 360° view of the Ariège peaks, from the Tabe Massif to the Dent d’Orlu and the Pic de Tarbésou.

Easy short hike for families from the Col du Chioula to the Refuge du Chioula. Return through the pleasant, shaded forest.

This pleasant hike will take you to the charming village of Orgeix, where you can explore its castle on the shores of Lake Campauleil.

Short circular loop passing through Ascou and Sorgeat.

The Étang d’Embizon, well known to anglers, is much less frequented by hikers. It is true that the steep gradient at the end of the route, combined with long stretches without any signposting, may discourage some. And that is a great pity because, after the effort involved, this magnificent high-altitude lake is truly a reward of the highest order.

This circular hike above Ax-les-Thermes, towards the summit of Roc de l'Orri d'Ignaux, will take you to a 360° viewpoint over the western part of the Ariège Pyrenees.

A few kilometres from Ax-les-Thermes, this is an easy hike offering a variety of pleasures and sensations. After the first part, mainly through a magnificent beech forest, the view opens up as you cross the mountain pastures on the legendary Chemin des Bonshommes, a short section of which you will follow. And of course, don't forget the arrival at the Refuge du Chioula, which offers a magnificent panorama of the Pyrenees and all the great peaks of the Ariège.

On the outskirts of Ax les Thermes, this walk along the ridges offers exceptional panoramic views.

A lovely circular to do on foot in the summer, but also very pleasant on snowshoes. Superb 360° view. Several route variations are possible depending on your mood. See "practical information".

A peaceful hike in the mid-mountains, passing through the five passes of Pichaca, Balaguès, Canons, Rieufred and Pierre Blanche. You will walk through forests that are particularly beautiful in autumn and summer pastures where herds are very present during the season. Not to mention the truly exceptional panorama of the Haute Ariège that can be seen from the various passes.

Perched on a rocky promontory, Lordat Castle guards and dominates the Ariège valley. This hike takes you around it, offering panoramic views and typical mountain villages. Yellow markings. Be careful as the markings are sometimes difficult to see.

Starting from Lordat, this route takes you through six small mountain villages, all well exposed and offering beautiful views of the surrounding peaks and the Ariège valley. Alternating between small sunken paths, stream crossings and balcony trails, the route is not difficult, but you will need to save your strength for the last part, which involves a steep climb of a few hundred metres.

A long hike in Haute Ariège to admire the lakes, ridges and magical landscapes with a stop at the ideally located Refuge de Rulhe, an opportunity to taste the local rataf'. On the second day, you can admire the whole area from the ridges.

This is a magnificent hike that starts from the Plateau du Saquet, and therefore the Ax 3 Domaines ski slopes, and ends at the Refuge de Rulhe, where a good local rataf will do you good. Once you reach the top of the resort, long desert plateaus await you before you descend into the austere scree slopes at the foot of Rulhe and finish sliding down to the Refuge de Rulhe. This first stage is wild and challenging, in the scree slopes. Be careful on the descent from the Col de Lhasse, which is very steep (but the GR® is well marked).

Ascent of Pic de Brasseil, known as Dent d'Orlu, starting from La Forge. The Dent d'Orlu is usually accessed from the Poêle à Frire car park at Jasse de Cabane Longue. It is a half-day hike. This itinerary suggests using the access track to this car park as an approach walk. This allows for a day's hiking and, what's more, a good warm-up before thefirst climb in the forest, which is quite steep.

Starting from Prades, this is an easy country walk. Ideal with children, this hike takes you to the ruins of the Montaillou Tower.

A walk of about two hours, which takes you from Prades to a viewpoint offering an extraordinary panorama of the Pyrenees mountain range. On the way back, the Chemin du Bac offers walkers a breathtaking bird's eye view of the village of Prades!

Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Pyrenees. From Canigou to Mont Valier, the summit of Pic de Saint-Barthélemy offers breathtaking views of the entire eastern Pyrenees and the Ariège plain. The ridge path and the pretty Étang d'Appy lake are a pleasant addition to this beautiful route. The significant elevation gain and length of this route are its main difficulties (²). See practical information (¹).

From the Appy car park, climb the peak but follow an anti-clockwise circular loop, which is much less common. That is to say, ascend via the Jasse de Sédars then the Sarrat de Bertenac, and return via the Col de Girabal, the Col d'Appy and then the Étang d'Appy.

A short, pleasant half-day hike in spring to the Étang d'Appy and its cirque.

Beautiful mountain stages are on the programme. Comfortable accommodation and meals await you every evening.Two departments, different types of landscapes, crossing a nature reserve, a long descent along a torrent, mountain ponds and lakes, wide open spaces await you...Note: this trip is accessible by public transport and can start from Mérens-les-Vals. See Practical Information. Another note: users have complained about the descent at the end of the four days. This trip can be done in the opposite direction to the description. But in this case, remember to save the four stages (base maps and gpx track) to help you find your way.

This circular hike will take you across the Plateau de Beille, offering beautiful views of the eastern Ariège Pyrenees throughout the hike. When you reach the top of the plateau, you may encounter a few herds grazing (goats, cows or Mérens horses).

In the Orgeix Valley, this very varied hike on a well-marked trail to a beautiful glacial lake can be divided into three parts: a beech forest where you walk not far from the stream and its small waterfalls, meadows at the edge of the forest, and finally a series of small glacial locks leading to the lake's spillway. You can then climb the Pic de l'Homme, which is easily accessible via the ridge from the Lac d'Aygue Longue, passing through the Col de la Parade.

The Col de Joux is the only crossing point between the Ariège and Orgeix valleys. This mid-mountain route starts in open terrain and then enters the Ax-les-Thermes communal forest. The ridge passages offer beautiful views of the surrounding peaks, the most iconic of which is undoubtedly the Dent d'Orlu, whose south face is clearly visible. Herds of cows and horses complete the picture.

First day’s hike to the Refuge du Rulhe.With a 1,000 m elevation gain over 5.5 km, the average gradient of the climb to the Pyramide de Lherbés is 18%. IBP difficulty rating = 105 (“very difficult” for a hiker of average fitness).Allow 6½ hours with a light rucksack.This day takes place in the high mountains, far from any roads, tracks, etc.The landscapes and environments you’ll pass through are majestic.

A lovely half-day family walk to the Étang de Comte via the Jasse du Mourguillou.

This route is one of four hiking trails maintained and promoted by the Caminaïres de Comus association. Starting from the village of Comus, it comprises two loops forming a figure of eight. At the junction of the two loops, you can continue to Sarrat de Rouquières (second loop) or just do the first loop via Roc Rouge. Both peaks offer remarkable views. The first loop has steep slopes, both uphill and downhill, with gradients of over 20%. However, there is a gentler access route via the Col de la Gargante, which is also signposted. Please note that the name "Roc Rouge" is a local name: the peak is marked "le Poumairol" on maps.

This route is one of four hiking trails maintained and promoted by the Caminaïres de Comus association. Starting from the village of Comus, it takes you up to the Col du Boum, then down to the Pla du Boum, a large pasture surrounded by pine and beech forests, before reaching the Cols de Camurac. In addition to forest trails, the route offers splendid views, particularly of the Massif de Tabe. This hike is also accessible by mountain bike and snowshoes in winter.

This route is one of four hiking trails maintained and promoted by the Caminaïres de Comus association. Starting from the village of Comus, it joins the Col du Boum, the Pla du Boum, and after passing through the woods, it climbs towards the Pic des Rives, then the Cols de Camurac before reaching Montpié. This hike offers splendid views. It is also accessible by mountain bike and snowshoes.

This hike from Comus leads to Pla du Boum, at an altitude of 1,250 metres. This magnificent grassy basin, surrounded by forests of conifers and deciduous trees, is well worth the sustained effort required from the outset. The route alternates between wooded areas and open spaces where the Pic de Saint-Barthélémy, the Montagne de la Frau and the Château de Montségur are particularly striking. It can be done in any season but is recommended in autumn when the colours change.

Round trip to reach the Hermitage of Saint-Pierre and its view of the Ariège valley from the Cabannes railway station.

Circular route from Les Cabannes station. Beautiful views of the valley and varied surroundings.

Significant elevation gain over a relatively short distance. Magnificent landscapes in a very wild mountain setting. Numerous ponds along the way. A magnificent view from the Couillade d'en Beys. The effort is rewarded throughout the day. ⚠️ Stay on the marked trails: GRP® Tour de la Montagne d'Ax, as you are on the edge of or within the National Reserve.

A hike starting from Orlu to discover the largest lake in the Ariège Pyrenees!

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.

This route is one of four hiking trails maintained and promoted by the Association les Caminaïres de Comus. Starting from the village of Camurac,the first part of this loop overlooks the village, offering superb panoramic views. Several benches have been installed along the route. This hike is also accessible by mountain bike and snowshoes.

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.

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.

Peaks do not need to be very high or steep to offer breathtaking views. The Roc de Quercourt, which marks the highest point of the Montaillou mountain south of Camurac, is a fine example of this. After passing through the forest, this mid-mountain route follows wide grassy ridges, giving you plenty of opportunity to enjoy the exceptional views of the Tabe mountain and the Ariège Pyrenees.

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

A hike in the heart of the Aston valley with four lakes to discover, passing through the Col de Jouclar, which forms the border between France and Andorra. There are several options for this hike. I have chosen to present the most comprehensive version here, so that you can discover these circular lakes and enjoy a day's hiking. Of course, it can be done in two days, but I will discuss this option later.

Spectacular views on this circular hike to the Étangs de Fontargente lakes, returning via the Refuge de Rulhe.

A very beautiful hike, wild and rocky, with splendid views of the surrounding peaks, Andorra and the Fontargente lakes. This isa demanding hike due to the elevation gain, with some passages that may be tricky for inexperienced hikers, and very steep slopes both uphill and downhill. GPS recommended.

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.

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!

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

Another way to reach the Refuge du Ruhle is via the magnificent Fontargente lake and then the Estagnol lake, which is well worth a short detour to see. Once you reach the refuge, which is a crossroads for several hikes, the view from the terrace is splendid. The return to the starting point is now just a formality.

This circular route takes you to several mountain lakes as you cross the Andorran border. The landscapes are varied and the overhangs allow you to admire the valley from several viewpoints.

The hike is not particularly difficult, but it is quite steep overall. Please note: good mountain navigation skills are necessary; using a map or GPS is not a luxury and will help you find your way more easily. The view from the summit is superb, as is the view along the climb, with views of the beautiful Jasse de Pinet, the Pic du Ruhle and its refuge, the Pic de la Coume d'Enfer, etc.