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GR10 self-guided Section 6 : From Aulus les Bains to Merens

 

7 days

6 nights

6 days of activities

Easy Moderate

Self-guided

17PGR6LF

Download technical sheet

from 480 €

The walk from Aulus-les-bains to Mérens in Haute Ariège connects the western and the central sections of the Pyrenees with the Ariège part of the mountain range. This region is known for its high plateau landscapes, deep valleys hemmed in by soaring summits, sometimes covered with a sprinkling of snow, and mountain lakes whose waters change in colour. In the evening, the Ariège gastronomy will get you back in shape for the next day.

 

From Aulus, the guarded refuge of Bassiès surrounded by lakes will satisfy your desires for wide open spaces. In Vicdessos region, then, the discovery of orris, ancient circular dry stone constructions will allow you to put meaning and images on what is called pastoralism in the Auzat valley. The arrival on Mérens, at the gates of the nearby Capcir and Andorra, after the mountain stage of the Rulhe refuge will finally convince you that you will have to return one day to Haute-Ariège.


Dates and prices

Departures

Every days from the middle of June to the end of September.

Booking from 2 people (solitary traveller: consult us).

 

From 15/06/2022 to 30/09/2022 :

Prices with luggage transfer :

Price per person for a group of 2 persons

695€

Price per person for a group of 3 persons

620€

Price per person for a group of 4 persons

580€

Price per person for a group of 5 persons

560€

Price per person for a group of 6 persons

540€

 

Prices without luggage transfer :

Price per person for a group of 2 persons

580€

Price per person for a group of 3 persons

530€

Price per person for a group of 4 persons

500€

Price per person for a group of 5 persons

490€

Price per person for a group of 6 persons

480€

 

Extras :

- Comfort version (4 nights in rooms) : 25€/pers

- Extra for a single room : 110€/pers
- Transfer back from Mérens to Aulus les Bains on weekdays: 165€/transfer
- Transfer back from Mérens to Aulus les Bains on Sundays and public holidays: 190€/transfer
- Extra night in Aulus les Bains and/or in Mérens les Vals : consult us

 

 


The price includes

- Half board accommodation 

- Transfers days 5 and 6

- Luggage transport depending on the option chosen except for 2 nights in refuge on days 2 and 6

- Dossier containing maps, route notes (1 for 4 persons, given in 1st accommodation)

- GPS tracks if you ask us + access to the detailed itinerary on the Mhikes GPS mobile application


The price does not include

-Holiday and travel insurance
-15€ for booking fees
-Showers in the mountain huts
-Additional transfers
-Entrance fees, additional activities
-Drinks and picnics

Day 1 : Start of your holiday in Aulus les Bains

Your holiday starts at your accommodation in Aulus-les-Bains. Option to visit the thermal village or to do a loop walk.              
Guzet lake and Ars Waterfall

A great loop walk from Aulus-les-Bains to a mountain lake and the superb waterfall, the Cascade d’Ars.

The waterfall of Ars

This is another option for a shorter loop walk: it will take you to the great “Cascade d’Ars” which gives Aulus-les-Bains, famous spa resort, its reputation. Distance : 13km, duration : around 5h00, altitude gain : +880m, descent : -880m. OR Distance : 10,5km, durée : around 3h45, dénivelé plus : +740m, dénivelé moins : -740m.

Day 2 : from Aulus to Bassies refuge

From Aulus les Bains a walk up towards the Port de Saleix (1794m altitude). The beauty of the mountain scenery is awesome, rural barns, fresh, bubbly mountain torrents, a rich Pyrenean flora and an old mine. From the Port of Saleix, you can admire the view towards the Auzat and Vicdessos valleys, then the Bassiès lakes, before reaching the refuge.       Distance : 11km, duration : around 5h15, altitude gain : +1270m, descent : -370m.

Day 3 : from Bassiès refuge to Goulier

The GR 10 goes along the magnificent Bassiès ponds, and joins the lower part of the high Vicdessos valley in the direction of Auzat, at the foot of Montcalm, the last summit of more than 3000m altitude towards the Mediterranean. Then a superb  path leads to Goulier, passing through Olbier, a pretty little mountain village in the Ariege Pyrenees. Distance : 13km, duration : 4h30, altitude gain : +450m, descent : -995m.

Day 4 : from Goulier to Siguer

Starting from Goulier, the day's itinerary crosses many cols and passes through beautiful forests and mountain hamlets such as Lercoul and Siguer. The built heritage in these places is important: Romanesque churches, orris, barns or bordes. Near the villages, take the time to discover the remains of the old cultivation terraces, with their low stone walls. Distance : 11,5km, duration : around 4h45, altitude gain : +650m, descent : -950m.

Day 5 : from Siguer to “Pont de Coudènes”

From Siguer and after a forest climb, you will reach the panoramic ridge of the Bède which leads to the summit of the Pla de Montcamp, a vast high plateau with a wonderful 360° view of the Ariege mountains. You will then cross the wide open spaces of the Pla du Four, ideal for grazing animals as the Courtal Marti and Balledreyte huts testify. You will then cross the Sirmont pass before descending to the Coudènes bridge. Transfer from the Coudènes bridge to your accommodation in Tarascon sur Ariège.  Distance : 15,5km, duration : around 7h30, altitude gain : +1500m, descent : -1200m.

Day 6 : from the Plateau de Beille to Rulhe refuge

In the morning, transfer to the plateau de Beille, famous for its nordic ski station and as being on the itinerary for the Tour de France race. Ascent to the Rulhe refuge via the col des Finestres, Didorte, Belh and Terre Nègre. A high mountain ambience is guaranteed! Distance : 14km, duration : around 5h15, altitude gain : +785m, descent : -380m.

Day 7 : from Rulhe refuge to Mérens

Starting from the Rulhe refuge, the GR 10 first crosses the Calmette pass, then skirts around the Etang Bleu, following the Lhasse ridge with beautiful views over the Rulhe massif. Then a descent leads over the Comte pond. The path then descends along the Mourguillou stream to reach the jasse of the same name, opposite the Font des Fièvres, before arriving in Mérens. Distance : 12,5km, duration : around 5h15, altitude gain : +330m, descent : -1460m.

This programme is an example of the itinerary we aim to adhere to. It may be necessary, if situations arise that are beyond our control, for the itinerary to be modified.

Welcome

Day 1 at your accommodation in Aulus- les-Bains (09)


Dispersion

Day 7 after the walk, in Merens (09).


Level

 Nature of the walk

The walks are on good footpaths and trails, the terrain is varied but often rocky. Walks on mostly waymarked paths, but some technical difficulties are possible.

 

Level 3

For walkers in good physical condition, already experienced in mountain hiking. The walking times mentioned are given as an indication, they are average times that only take into account the duration of the actual walking without counting the break times. Depending on the weather conditions, the walking pace can also vary, ranging from +300m to +500m of climb per hour. You need to be used to walking and take regular exercise to enjoy this holiday.


Accommodation

Half board
2 nights in a shared dormitory in mountain refuges on days 2 and 6. Bring a sleeping bag liner (blankets provided)
1 night in a shared dormitory in gite on days 3. Bring a sleeping bag liner (blankets provided)
2 nights in room in guest houses on days 1 and 4
1 night in room in hotel** on day 5

 

COMFORT VERSION (with extra) :
1 night in room in hotel** on day 5
2 nights in room in guest house on days 1 and 4
1 night in room in gite on day 3
2 nights in a shared dormitory in mountain refuges on days 2 and 6. Bring a sleeping bag liner (blankets provided)

 

Please note that according to the Covid-19 regulation which will be in force in the refuges in 2022, it is possible that blankets will not be provided. In this case, it will be necessary to bring a sleeping bag for those nights. This will be specified to you as soon as possible before your stay.

 

Food
- Continental breakfast (tea, coffee, milk, butter, jam) 
- Evening meals in gites, often based on local specialities, include a starter, a main course and a dessert. For dinner in Aulus les Bains, restaurants on site.
- Pic-nics and drinks not included.  


Carrying luggage

You will need to carry a day backpack only. Our bag-moving service means you can travel light during your walks. Except for the nights in refuges on day 2 and 6 where you will need to carry personal belongings for the night (sleeping bag sheet, change of clothes, toiletries) as you will not have access to your main luggage those nights. Your main luggage (that should please be easily transportable) will be transported by vehicle between the different night stops, unless you have chosen the version without luggage transport.


Guide

Self-guided walking, without guide.

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