GR10: Crossing the Ariege Pyrenees
The Ariege section of the GR10, between high-altitude lakes, granite peaks, mountain barns, and prehistoric caves.
Six days on the Ariege section of the GR10, which crosses the Pyrenees from ocean to ocean over nine hundred kilometres. The route starts at Merens-les-Vals near Andorra, known for its hot springs and its black Merens horses, reaches the Besines refuge and its lake at 2,100 metres in a glacial amphitheatre, then Aulus-les-Bains and the Ars waterfalls, Saint-Lizier and its episcopal city on the Santiago road, and finally the Col de la Core between Couserans and Bethmale. This is an Ariege of granite, beech woods and high barns. Daily ascent often exceeds twelve hundred metres. Late-afternoon storms are frequent in summer: start early and be back down off the passes before four.
Practical info
- Stops
- 5
- Duration
- 6 days
- Transport
- 🥾 On foot
- Distance
- ≈ 100 km
- Best time
- Spring and summer
Itinerary
- 1
Merens-les-Vals
Depart pres de l'Andorre, sources chaudes et chevaux de Merens.
- 2
Refuge des Besines
Etang des Besines a 2100 m, amphitheatre glaciaire grandiose.
- 3
Aulus-les-Bains
Station thermale dans la vallee du Garbet, cascades d'Ars.
- 4
Saint-Lizier
Cite episcopale, cathedrale romane et cloitre, chemins de Saint-Jacques.
- 5
Col de la Core
Col a 1395 m entre Couserans et Bethmale, forets de hetres et de sapins.
