GR10 from Aulus Les Bains to Mérens : Natural Park of the Pyrénées Ariègeoises

Factsheet | Self-guided walk | Level 3/5 | 6-7 walking days GR10 from Aulus les Bains to Mérens : Natural Park of the Pyrénées Ariègeoises Your route in brief Strong points • Self-guided walk, with a « comfort version » • Access to main luggage everyday except 2 nights option in refuge • Family walking, with friends or as a couple • Unpublished route • Bookings from 2 people • Green valleys and Plateaux • Duration 7days/6 nights The stretch from Aulus-les-bains to Mérens in Haute Ariège crosses the western and the central sections of the Pyrenees and 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 evenings, at your accommodation, superb ariégeoise cuisine will set you up for the day ahead. We can supply you with GPS tracks for the entire route, just ask us! www.gr10-liberte.com / www.respyrenees.com Tél : (33) 5.34.14.51.50 ou (33) 6.83.82.98.28 [email protected] •PROGRAM Day 1 : Start of your holiday in Aulus les Bains Transfer from St Girons. Your holiday starts at your accommodation in Aulus-les-Bains, time to settle into the gite. Option to visit the thermal village or to do a loop walk. A great loop walk from Aulus-les-Bains to a mountain lake and the superb waterfall, the Cascade d’Ars. Distance : 12km, duration : 4h00, altitude gain : +1000m, descent : -1000m. 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 : 9km, durée : 3h00, dénivelé plus : +650m, dénivelé moins : -650m. 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. Distance : 11km, duration : 4h30, altitude gain : +1240m, descent : -330m. Day 3 : from Bassiès refuge to Goulier From the Bassiès refuge, the GR10 passes a series of lakes at Bassiès and leads towards the valley of Auzat. A superb trail continues on from the valley to Goulier, via the village of Olbier. Distance : 12.5km, duration : 4h30, altitude gain : +300m, descent : -850m. Day 4 : from Goulier to Gestiès From Goulier to Gestiès, the itinerary follows different cols and crosses picturesque mountain hamlets such as Lercoul, Siguer and Gestiès.The built heritage of these typical villages is amazing: roman churches; orris, barns, farms. After the walk, transfer to your accommodation (see planning). Distance : 13km, duration : 6h, altitude gain : +700m, descent : -830m. Day 5 : from Gestiès to “Pont de Coudènes” In the morning, short transfer to Gestiès. The GR10 crosses the large open spaces of Pla du Four, passes by the “cabanes” of Courtal Marti and Balledreyte, and the Col de Sirmont, 1693m high. Then, you cross the wood of Clavière to reach the Pont de Coudènes. From there, transfer to your accommodation. Distance : 15km, duration : 7h30, altitude gain : +1250m, descent : -1170m. 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 : 5h30, altitude gain : +800m, descent : -400m. Day 7 : from Rulhe refuge to Mérens This is the last day’s walking and the trail is particularly scenic. You will need to set out fairly early, following the GR10 past two mountain lakes to arrive early afternoon at the railway station in Merens. Distance : 12km, duration : 4h45, altitude gain : +450m, descent : -1580m. 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. •DATES AND PRICES Departures Every Sunday from the middle of June to the end of September. According to availabilities, booking from 2 people. Departure on another day : extra 25 euros per person. Consult us for group discounts. Prices : From 15/06/2017 to 30/09/2018 : Price per person for a group of 2/3 persons 595 € Price per person for a group of 4/5 persons 520 € Extras/Discounts : - EXTRA COMFORT VERSION : 4 nights in rooms : 85€/pers - EXTRA departure another day than Sunday : 25€/pers - EXTRA transfer back 1 to 4 pers from Mérens to Aulus les bains (according to availabilities) : 160 €/transfer - DISCOUNT « BAROUDEURS » : no luggage transfer : 110 €/booking The price includes : The price does not include : - Half board accommodation -Holiday and travel insurance - Transfers days 1, 4, 5 and 6 -Showers in the mountain huts - Luggage transfers days 3, 4, 5 and 7 -Additional transfers - Dossier containing maps, route notes (1 for 4 -Entrance fees, additional activities persons, given in 1st accommodation) -Drinks and picnics - GPS tracks if you ask us • TAILOR MADE HOLIDAYS We can put together a suitable holiday for you taking into account all your specific requests and budget. Many individuals and trekking companies have relied on us for years. With our tailor-made holidays we always aim to provide you with the best quality at the fairest price. .If you want to : • increase the comfort of your accommodations, Contact Mathieu • change the duration of your trip, Tél : 0033 5 34 14 51 50 • organize additional activities or visits, Port : 0033 6 83 82 98 28 • get a transfer from/to an airport, [email protected] • organize an extra night • ORGANIZATION We propose a self-guided, independent formula. You choose your departure date and we will take care of all the rest between the initial meeting time through to the end point. We transport your bags between the accommodations (you will have it on days 3, 4, 5 and 7), We organize transfers on days 1, 4, 5 and 6 ; we provide the maps and detailed walking route notes sent on the first accommodation. This is a way of enjoying complete flexibility, you dictate the pace and rhythm of your holiday. Moreover, our team will answer all your questions, and will provide all useful advice in order to make this holiday a success. Your transfers during the walk : Even if you choose our DISCOUNT « BAROUDEURS » and carry your gear all along the walk. - Day 1 : At 2.45 PM, transfer from St Girons to Aulus des bains for those who are not going on from stage 5 of the GR10. - Day 4 : At 4.30 PM, transfer from the village of Gestiès to your accommodation. - Day 5 : At 7.45 AM, transfer to Gestiès. At 5.30 PM, transfer from the Pont de Coudènes to your accommodation, please contact us on 0033 6 83 82 98 28 to make us aware of the time of your arrival. - Day 6 : At 8.00 AM, from your accommodation to Plateau de Beille. - Day 7 : Luggage collected at the gîte "Le Nabre" in Merens. We ask that you arrive on time for these transfers so not to cause a delay for yourselves or other passengers using the same transfer. DISCOUNT « BAROUDEURS » no luggage transfers We can offer you a reduced fee that does not include luggage transfers. It is therefore your responsibility to carry your own luggage from one stopover to the next. You are only permitted to use the people transfers and not the luggage transfer service with this option. The reduction is only available if everyone on the reservation has asked for this option. • TECHNICAL INFORMATION Some information Maximum ascent : +1250 m Global denivelation : 11380 m Global ascents : + 5490 m Global descents : - 5890 m Highest point of the section : 2439 m Nature of the walk Sportive. Walks on mostly waymarked paths, but some technical difficulties are possible. Level 3 The walks are on good footpaths and trails, the terrain is varied but often rocky. You need to be used to walking and take regular exercise to enjoy this holiday. Detailed walking schedule Detail Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Ascent +1000m or +1240m +400m +700m +1250m +800m +450m +650m Descent -1000m or -650m -330m -850m -830m -1250m -400m -1580m Walking duration* 4h00 or 3h00 4h30 4h30 5h45 7h30 5h30 4h45 Distance 12km or 9Km 11km 12.5km 13km 15km 14km 12km *Be advised : the walking duration is given to help you in your choice, but this is an average, not including the stops during the walk, and overall walking duration is just an indication, but can be different between walkers. Bibliography Pyrénées Magazine, GR10, nos plus belles étapes, n°92 mars-avril Guide vert Pyrénées Aquitaine, éd. Micheli Guide Bleu, éd. Hachette Chemins du Piémont n 1 G. Véron L’épopée des Cimes, Bellefon, Ed. Alpes Pyrénées Rough Guide the Pyrenees - Marc Dubin 2004 Guide Self-guided walking, without guide. Carrying You will need to carry a day sack only, with your water bottle, camera, picnic and gortex jacket. 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 - will be transported by vehicle between the different night stops on days 3, 4, 5 and 7.

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