GR10 from Aulus Les Bains to Mérens : Natural Park of the Pyrénées Ariègeoises
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
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 without guide • The high plateau of summer pastures • Walk with family, friends or as a couple • Ariège, its ponds and green valleys • Possibility of a comfort version with 4 nights in • The site of the Etang de Bassiès and its refuge room • Diversified itinerary : crest, forests and summer • Transport of your luggage between each stage pastures (depending on the option chosen) except for 2 • The wild beauty of the Ariège and its Regional nights in mountain refuges Natural Park • Duration 7 days / 6 nights • A tried and tested logistics to compensate for the lack of accommodation on this section of the GR10 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. www.gr10-liberte.com / www.respyrenees.com www.maison-iputxainia.com Tél : (33) 5.34.14.51.50 ou (33) 6.10.97.16.54 [email protected] •PROGRAM Day 1 : Start of your holiday in Aulus les Bains Transfer from St Girons bus station (can be avoid, consul us). 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 : 5h00, altitude gain : +880m, descent : -880m. Distance : 10,5km, durée : 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 : 5h15, altitude gain : +1270m, descent : -370m. 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 : 13km, duration : 4h30, altitude gain : +450m, descent : -995m. 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 hike, transfer to Goulier to spend a second night there. Distance : 13km, duration : 5h30, altitude gain : +760m, descent : -900m. Day 5 : from Gestiès to “Pont de Coudènes” In the morning transfer to Gestiès to continue the hike. 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 in Tarascon sur Ariège. Distance : 14,5km, duration : 7h30, altitude gain : +1310m, descent : -1235m. 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 : 5h15, altitude gain : +785m, descent : -380m. 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 : 12,5km, duration : 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. •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 15/06/2021 to 30/09/2021 : Prices with luggage transfer : Price per person for a group of 2 persons 660€ Price per person for a group of 3 persons 585€ Price per person for a group of 4 persons 545€ Price per person for a group of 5 persons 525€ Price per person for a group of 6 persons 505€ 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) : 50€/pers - Extra for a single room : 85€/pers - Transfer back from Mérens to Aulus les Bains , for 1 to 4 persons : 160€/transfer (week), 185€/transfer (Sunday & public holiday) - Extra night in BB double room in Aulus les Bains : 40€/pers - Extra night in BB single room in Aulus les Bains : 60€/pers - Extra night in half board shared dormitory in Mérens : 40€/pers - Extra night in half board double room in Mérens : 47€/pers - Extra night in half board single room in Mérens : 57€/pers The price includes : The price does not include : - Half board accommodation except day 1 in Bed & -Holiday and travel insurance Breakfast -10€ for booking fees - Transfers days 1, 4, 5 and 6 -The dinner of day 1 - Luggage transport depending on the option -Showers in the mountain huts chosen except for 2 nights in refuge on days 2 and 6 -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 + access to the detailed itinerary on the Mhikes GPS mobile application • 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 Gaëtan • change the duration of your trip, Tél : 0033 5 34 14 51 50 • organize additional activities or visits, [email protected] • get a transfer from/to an airport, • 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 from the initial meeting time through to the dispersion point. We transport your bags between the accommodations (depending on the option chosen) except for 2 nights in refuges on days 2 and 6 ; We organize transfer on days 1, 4, 5 and 6 ; we provide the maps and detailed walking route notes sent on the first accommodation as well as access to the detailed itinerary on the Mhikes GPS mobile application. 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 : - Day 1 : At 2.45 PM (or other schedule agreed with you), transfer from St Girons bus station to Aulus des bains (can be avoid, consult us). - Day 4 : At 4.30 PM, transfer from the village of Gestiès to your accommodation in Goulier to make up for the lack of accommodation on this part of the GR10. - Day 5 : At 8 AM, transfer from your accommodation in Goulier to Gestiès to continue the hike where you stopped the hike the day before. Day 5 : At 5.30 PM, transfer from the Pont de Coudènes to your accommodation in Tarascon sur Ariège to make up for the lack of accommodation on this part of the GR10. - Day 6 : At 8.00 AM, transfer from your accommodation in Tarascon sur Ariège to the Plateau de Beille to resume the hike. • TECHNICAL INFORMATION Some information (without day 1) Maximum ascent : +1310 m Global ascents : + 4905 m Global descents : - 5340 m Highest point of the section : 2439 m Nature of the walk The walks are on good footpaths and trails, the terrain is varied but often rocky.