This lovely walk, to be expected during the day, will take you to the Biros valley to admire the Araing pond. Nestled at the foot of the Pic du Crabère, the pond, of natural origin, has been enhanced with the construction of a dam. Bordered by the GR10, the refuge which overlooks it can be a step to discover other natural beauties of Couserans.
Pond of Araing

Road access: From Saint-Girons, take the direction of Castillon en Couserans. Cross Les Bordes sur Lez and Sentein. After Sentein, arrive at a place called Le Pont. Take the road to the right just after the bridge. 700m away, either turn right to reach the first converted car park in Anglade, or continue straight on until the end of the road, to reach the Frechendech car park (smaller).

Location

Couserans Pyrenees

On the western part of Ariège, the Couserans and its 18 valleys is a vast territory divided between high mountains, mountains and [...]

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Your itinerary

Map List

1 - DEPARTURE PARKING ANGLADE

Take the path, located above the building at the beginning of the car park, going to the left towards Frechendech, towards the chapelle de l'isard.
Arrived at Frechendech, pass over the parking lot. Continue straight on the path, left bank of the stream.
After 30 minutes of walking, descend to the river and cross a footbridge. Continue on the path which takes height, right bank of the stream to arrive at a new footbridge.
Do not cross this footbridge and continue straight on on the path. After crossing a small stream, continue following the signs indicating the Araing pond until you come out of the woods. The path continues up the pastures to reach the Illau hut.

2 - CABANE D'ILLAU

The path continues its ascent then branches off to the right, towards a new wood. After crossing a small stream, the path rises in the rocks, to arrive in front of the pond dam and find the GR10.

3 - ARAING POND AND ITS REFUGE

Take the GR10 (red and white) on your right. Pass under the dam, and continue for 10 minutes to reach the refuge and overlook the pond.
For the return, take the same path to the car park.