Day 1: Arrival
We will meet you in your hotel in Tarascon-sur-Ariege at 18:00 for a welcome brief then eat dinner together at a local restaurant. There are regular train links from Toulouse Matabiau train station to Tarascon-sur-Ariege. There is a 20-minute airport shuttle to Toulouse Matabiau train station from Toulouse airport.
Day 2: Hike to Refuge de l’Etang Fourcat (2445m)
After breakfast we will take a short transfer into the stunning Vicdessos valley and up to the road head at Cayanes d’en Haut where we will start our trek. The path ascends gently through ancient oak woodland beside a clear mountain stream. We reach the Barrage D’Izourt and walk along a good path on the edge of Etang d’Izourt. Now the climb begins as we zigzag our way through boulder fields and scree in a wild rocky landscape. The refuge comes into view on the final steep rise – a welcome sight beside its own bright blue, heart-shaped lake with mountains rising up in all directions. At the refuge we will be welcomed by the friendly guardians. Here, it’s time to take off our boots and admire the wide open view of numerous peaks and perhaps take a dip in the lake. Shower tokens are available for a hot shower at this refuge. We will be sleeping in small dorms of bunkbeds. Height gain 1450m | distance 10.5km.
Day 3: Hike to Pic de Tristagne (2878m)
We will take a simple breakfast at the refuge and pick up a picnic lunch before we walk beside Etang Fourcat on beautiful grippy limestone. We then gain height on a steep-rising path to the col at 2682m. The final ridge has some exposure, and is a scramble up great rock with positive feet and hand placements. This final ridge is on the border with Andorra and we look down into another cirque on the Andorra side. After soaking up the magnificent views we retrace our steps back to the etang, perhaps for a dip, and then onto the refuge for a hearty 3-course dinner and another night’s stay at the refuge. Height gain and loss 450m | distance 5km.
Day 4: Hike to road head
After another simple breakfast and picnic pick up at the refuge we have the option to descend into a different valley via the beautiful Etangs de Petsiguer back to our start point, and transfer back to the hotel in Tarascon-sur-Ariege for a well-earned dinner overlooking the river Ariege. Height loss 1450m | distance 10.5km.
Day 5: Departure
You can depart on the train of your choice. It’s a short walk to the train station from our hotel.