Safety – Keep in mind
- Mountain route, bring appropriate gear.
- At the beginning of the season, when there are still snowfields between the refuge and the Col de Faustin, bring an ice axe and crampons as the slope is steep.
- IGN TOP 25 map 2048OT at 1/25000 Aulus-les-Bains/Mont Valier and Rando Editions map No. 6 at 1/50000.
- Check the weather forecast.
- Emergency number: 112
- At the refuge: Bring a lamp and dry, warm clothes.
Road access:
From Saint-Girons follow the D618 then the D4 and go up the “Vallée du Lez” (Lez valley). You’ll pass through “Castillon en Couserans” and “Les Bordes-sur-Lez”. Take a left 2 km further the road to Ayer, “vallée du Ribérot” (Ribérot valley), follow the road to the “Pla de la Lau” parking near the “Maison du Valier” lodge.
The classic hiking route:
Alt. 930 m. : Pla de la Lau parking, follow the left bank path of the Ribérot stream (marked in red and white: GR transfrontalier (cross-border)). At the crossroads of the Pic de Barlonguère and Mont Valier paths, turn left to take the 2 footbridges to go up the Ribérot stream on the right bank.
Alt. 1150 m: after passing the shelter of the “Tute de l’ours” (spring), cross a footbridge to continue on the left bank of the stream.
Alt. 1350 m: Nérech Cascade : cross another footbridge to return to the right bank and follow the path that crosses the projection of the cascade.
Alt. 1550 m: La Lauze Cascade in sight, the path climbs and no longer follows the edge of the stream.
Alt. 1859 m: The Caoussis shelter. Take the left bifurcation towards the Estagnous refuge (the right path leads to the Etang Rond).
Alt. 2246 m: Estagnous refuge (approx. 4 hours walk).
To continue towards Mont Valier, take the Southeast trail.
Alt. 2653 m: Col de Faustin: turn left to the North and climb the South slope of Mont Valier.
Alt. 2838 m: Mont Valier: metal cross at the summit (approx. 1h 30 walk from the refuge).
Reference:
IGN TOP 25 map 2048OT Aulus-les-Bains/Mont Valier at 1/25000
and Rando Editions map No. 6 Couserans/Val d’Aran at 1/50000
Links to IGN routes and GPS tracks
Access by Riberot
https://ignrando.fr/fr/parcours/fiche/details/id/16697
Access by Muscadet
https://ignrando.fr/fr/parcours/16698-acces-estagnous-par-muscadet
Access by Peyralade
https://ignrando.fr/fr/parcours/17009-acces-estagnous-par-peyralade
Access by la Core
https://ignrando.fr/fr/parcours/fiche/details/id/17015
Access by Subera
https://ignrando.fr/fr/parcours/69968-acces-estagnous-par-subera
La boucle des passeurs (The smugglers loop)
https://ignrando.fr/fr/parcours/fiche/details/id/17040
Estagnous-Fornet “Chemin de la Liberté” (Freedom trail)
https://ignrando.fr/fr/parcours/72887-acces-estagnous-par-fornet-tour-du-valier
Access Estagnous by the Mongarri refuge
https://ignrando.fr/fr/parcours/702699-acces-estagnous-par-montgarri
Hiking routes
PassAran
A challenging loop in a wild mountain range, without borders…
In the central Pyrenees, explore this cross-border loop, in the heart of the valleys of the Castillonnais, Biros, and Val d’Aran.
5 accommodations for a 5 to 6-day circuit.
website : https://www.passaran.com/en/
Boucle Pass Aran – Trace Gps
https://www.randogps.net/randonnee-pedestre-gps-ariege-9.php?dep=9&num=68&etat=param1&meta=PASS%20ARAN
Tour of the Mont Valier
A cross-border hiking loop around Mont Valier (2838m), a mythical summit of the Pyrenean range known for its spectacular views, rich history, and very ancient nature reserve.
6 accommodations for a 5 to 6-day circuit.
website : https://www.tourdumontvalier.com/
The Freedom Trail
A four-day historical hike along the symbolic route taken by all those who clandestinely escaped to Spain and North Africa during World War II. It is traced from Saint Girons in France to Esterri d’Aneu and passes through the Estagnous refuge.
Maison du chemin de la Liberté (House of the Freedom trail)
Avenue Aristide Bergès
09200 Saint-Girons
Tel: 05 61 66 35 68
contact@chemindelaliberte.fr
site : https://www.chemindelaliberteinfos.fr/