The Pérics tour, hike in Orlu: Ariège Pyrenees

An incredible loop between Haute-Ariège and the Pyrénées-Orientales. 4 days of hiking from refuge to refuge.

The Perics tour — Refuge d'en Beys © Magda Fuster - Ariège Pyrénées Tourisme

4 days linking 4 guarded refuges between Ariège and the Pyrénées Orientales.
High point: 2591m
About 22 hours of walking over 49km
Cumulative elevation + and -: 2m

Difficulty level: 3/5.
You are in good physical condition and are prepared for hiking over several days in the mountains.
5 to 6 hours of walking per day with positive elevations of 30 to 500 m and negative elevations of 750m to 280m

GOOD TO KNOW
This circuit crosses different areas with specific regulations, particularly for bivouacs, fires and dogs. Find out beforehand about the regulations in force in the classified sites of Camporells, Bouillouses and the Orlu National Reserve. A simple clarification: dogs are prohibited in the Orlu reserve, even on a leash.

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Ariège Pyrenees

South of Ariège, on the border with Andorra, are the Ariège Pyrenees. Between mountainous landscapes and activities, there are many [...]

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1 - REFUGE D’EN BEYS > REFUGE DES BESINES

Duration: 5 hours
Distance: 8km
Elevation +: 550 m
Elevation -: 430 m

This stage between the two Ariège refuges, along the streams, winds between small ponds, to reach the high mountain between the Portella d'Orlu and the Coume d'Anyell.
The unobstructed view of the Lanoux pond, which reveals its grandiose expanse and of the Pic du Carlit, the famous summit of the Pyrénées Orientales. After the Coume d'Anyell, the trail descends to the Besines valley, where hook pines and rhododendrons dot the soft lawns around the trail.

2 - BÉSINES REFUGE > BOUILLOUSES REFUGE

Duration: 6h30
Distance: 15km
Elevation +: 750 m
Elevation -: 830 m

The Besines - Bouillouses section is undoubtedly the one that offers the most impressive diversity of landscapes. From the very wooded part of Besines, and its lakes, you gradually climb towards virgin areas of vegetation, very mineral, to reach the Lanoux pond, barely seen during the previous stage.
After passing this pond, we reach long steppes, almost mysterious, looking like Ireland or Mongolia: the large grassy spaces of the Cerdan altiplano.
After a few hours of walking, on the edge of the Eastern Pyrenees, we find the wonderful Bouillouses Reserve, its raw and unspoiled landscapes.

3 - REFUGE DES BOUILLOUSES > REFUGE DES CAMPORELLS

Duration: 5 hours
Distance: 11km
Elevation +: 510 m
Elevation -: 280 m

This stage, crossing the Capcir, is an ode to the beauty of the Pyrenees, preserved, intact, rich in vegetation. Crystal clear water of the Camporells lakes, in which those who gave the name to this route like to be reflected: the little and the big Pérics!

4 - CAMPORELLS REFUGE > EN BEYS REFUGE

Duration: 5:30
Distance: 11km
Elevation +: 500 m
Elevation -: 770 m

This stage is certainly the one where the view of the peaks is the most breathtaking... On the crests of Pic Mortier, we can see all the peaks that make up the richness of the Ariège territory... The Dent d'Orlu, the Pic Saint Barthélémy, the Pic du Rulhe… It is characteristic of the return to Haute-Ariège, with a view “from above” on the Orlu National Reserve, and the Jasse d'En Gaudu, landmark of our most beautiful chamois and most beautiful marmots.

Allow 2h30 of additional descent (and + 500m of negative elevation) to reach the Fanguil car park if your departure was Orlu.