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» • Access to main luggage everyday except 2 nights option in refuge • Family walking, with friends or as a couple • Unpublished route • Bookings from 2 people • Green valleys and Plateaux • Duration 7days/6 nights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 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 . 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 , 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 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. Unless you have chosen the reduced luggage transfer fee, in this case it is your responsibility to carry your own luggage from one stopover to the next. We ask you to please limit your main luggage to between 10-15kg per person to facilitate the transportation and carrying for the taxis. It is also important to consider that it may be necessary to carry your own bags short distances at the start or end of your holiday. (Consult with us for left luggage facilities).

• ACCOMMODATION/FOOD

Accommodation 2 nights in mountain refuges and 4 nights in gites (communal dormitories), half-board. Bring a light-weight sleeping bag or a liner (sheets provided). COMFORT VERSION : 4 nights in rooms, according to availabilities and with an extra cost : 85€/person. Please inform us when booking.

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. - Pic-nics and drinks not included.

• PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Starting : Day 1 at St Girons train/bus station, at 2.45PM for a transfer to your accommodation in Aulus les bains (09). Ending : Day 7 after the walk, in Merens (09).

How to get to Saint Girons :

- By air : Toulouse-Blagnac airport (128km), tel : 0033 561424400 ; connections to Toulouse Matabiau train station via navette every 20mn.

- By train or bus : Trains from Toulouse-Matabiau station to Boussens, SNCF line between Toulouse and Montréjeau. In Boussens, SNCF bus to Saint Girons, Ariège. Transfer from Saint Girons to Aulus les bains, transfer organised by taxi at 14.35, infront of Saint Girons bus station to Aulus les Bains. To meet at an other hour, inform when booking. As an indication : Leaves Toulouse – arrives in Boussens, SNCF bus from in front of Boussens station, arrives in Saint Girons. Contact SNCF (www.ter-sncf.com) to confirm the timetable.

- By car : From Toulouse, 128km, autoroute via Saint Gaudens ; to Saint Martory, take Saint-Girons.

From Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, rejoin Carcassonne, then direction /Mirepoix ; to Foix, Foix, rejoin directly Saint-Girons.

PARKING : Free parking in Aulus-les-Bains : Camper van parking space, near the tourist office or in the village ; inform a member of staff at the office.

How to leave Mérens : TER train direction Toulouse (SNCF line La Tour de Carol – Toulouse), stops in Foix. 2 trains in the afternoon. From Foix correspondances by bus to Saint-Girons. (Line Foix - Saint-Girons, Denamiel busses, tel : 0033 561662437)

How to get to Saint Girons from Mérens : From Foix to Saint Girons : bus from Foix, behind the post office, to get to Saint Girons, (no bus on Sundays) - contact Autocars Denamiel tel : 0033 561662437. Taxi Dedieu : tel 0682853296 SNCF to confirm timetable.

We recommend to arrive by train to avoid returns to departure to recover your car, because itineraries can be very long and badly served and very expensive if you take a taxi. If you insist to come with your car, we recommend you to leave your car on the arrival point the first day and to do the run to the departure point because the first day you have plenty of time to do the run and you will not be tired by a week walking.

Public transports Informations SNCF: https://uk.voyages-sncf.com/en

Practical information - Ariège Pyrénées tourism committee -BP 143 - 09004 Foix Cedex - Aulus-les-Bains tourist office, tel : 0033 561960001 - Foix tourist office, tel : 0033 561651212 - Haut Couserans tourist office, tel/fax : 0033 561960001 Web site : www.haut-couserans.com Email : [email protected] - Ax-les-thermes tourist office, tel : 0033 561646060 - Transport Denamiel ligne bus company, Foix-Saint Girons, tel : 0033 5.61.66.24.37 - Train information : www.ter-sncf.com - Local weather : 0033 (0)892680209 (Ariège) - High mountain police, tel : 0561642258

•WHAT TO BRING AND PACK

Bags : A small day pack for your water bottle, camera, picnic and waterproof. A bag, rucksack or suitcase for your main luggage weighing a maximum of 12kg per person. The size of your bag varies upon the type of activity. For a walker without portage : 30L minimum For a walker with partial portage : 50L minimum For a walker with portage : 60L minimum

Day Bag Whatever activity you participate in, you should always carry in your rucksack waterproof clothing, a picnic, a bottle of water aswell as a small first aid kit and personal belongings, a camera, a hat, binoculars etc.

Walking Boots The type of boot depends upon the activities you take part in however they are one of your most important items. They should be confortable, waterproof and breatheable. For the best protection we advise ankle boots. We recommend our young walkers to wear flexible walking boots with a good sole and back.

For mountain walking for more than 4 hours long we recommend a boot with a fairly ridged sole. If you need to buy a new pair of boots we advise you wear them in before the start of your holiday. Don't wear boots that are too small because feet have a tendance to swell up.

Clothes: - A wind and rainproof jacket - A thick jumper or a fleece - Comfortable walking trousers - Shorts, t shirts.. aswell as breathable base layers - Spare clothes - Swimwear and towel - For the start and end of season, hat and gloves suitable for GR20 walks at altitude.

For Sleeping - Sleeping bag for all nights spent in the gites and mountain shelters (sheets are provided) - Earplugs

For Picnics - Sealed plastic box (0.5L) to carry salads - Cutlery (folding knife and fork) - A 1L minimum flask

For Walking : - Good walking shoes or boots with a good grip sole - Walking socks. - Warm fleece - Shorts and T shirts. - Swimming costume or trunks - Towel - 2 Walking poles (optional) - Water bottle (one litre minimum) - Personal first aid kit with good blister protection - Sunglasses and sun cream - Sun hat - Wind and waterproof jacket (Gore-tex style)

Other little things - A pair of trainers or sandals for a night - Glasses and suncream - Walking poles - Hats - Camera - Small toiletry bag and towel - Torch or headlight - A first aid kit with personal medication, blister plasters (compeed), aspirin and survival blanket.