Day 1: Arrival
We will meet you in your hotel in Tarascon-sur-Ariege at 18:00 for a welcome briefing, 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 du Pinet (2224m)
After breakfast we will take a short transfer into the stunning Vicdessos valley and up to l’Artigue (1050m) where we will start our trek. The path ascends steeply through tall, beech woodland – great for shade in the summer months! We emerge from the forest into a vista of wide-open rocky valleys. We then climb through this rocky steepness on a good mountain path that crosses over several streams. The refuge du Pinet at 2224m comes into view on the final rise – a welcome sight beside its own lake. At the refuge we will be welcomed by the friendly guardians. Here, it’s time to take off our boots and admire the view 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 1080m | distance 5km.
Day 3: Hike to Pic du Montcalm (3077m)
We will take a simple breakfast at the refuge and pick up a picnic lunch before we walk along a steep-sided valley to Etang d’Estats. We then gain height fast as we scramble up to Etang du Montcalm. As we round a corner, the path becomes indistinct as we follow cairns across a moonscape of boulder fields to the Col de la Coumette, and steeply onto the Col de Riufret via a scree slope. The final summit climb is on a wide steeply-rising ridge. Here, we can enjoy 360-degree views from this 3000m peak set deep in the heart of the Ariège mountains. If the team is moving well, we can climb two other 3000m peaks close by before returning to the refuge. We retrace our steps back to the refuge for a hearty 3-course dinner and another night’s stay. Height gain and loss 850m | distance 8km.
Day 4: Hike to Artigue
After another simple breakfast at the refuge we descend via l’Etang Sourd – a beautiful green lake set in a steep-sided cirque. Then the path takes us through beech forests into the valley for our transfer back to the hotel in Tarascon-sur-Ariege for well-earned dinner overlooking the river Ariege. Height loss 1080m | distance 6km.
Day 5: Departure
You can depart on the train of your choice. It’s a short walk to the train station from our hotel.