This spectacular hike is one of the most beautiful in the Pyrenean region with the ascent of Mont Valier, the emblematic summit of Couserans.
In a high mountain setting, you will be able to see izards, marmots, and if you are lucky, a bearded vulture... A guarded refuge will allow you to do the hike in two days, taking the time to admire the Ribérot valley with its waterfalls and lakes.
You will admire the Ribérot valley with its waterfalls, its lakes, the Milouga ponds and the Muscadet valley.
Mont Valier via the Milouga pond
Mont Valier © Virginie Gaszynski - Ariège Pyrenees Tourism

From Saint-Girons, take the direction of Castillon-en-Couserans, then the direction of Bordes-sur-Lez. 2kms after Bordes-sur-Lez, take a small road on the left towards Ayer / Maison du Valier. Pass the hamlet of Ayer and continue for nearly 6km to the Pla de la Lau car park.

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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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Refuge les Estagnous

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Your itinerary

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1 - PARKING DEPARTURE PLA DE LA LAU

From the car park, follow the road to the Maison du Valier. Leave it on the left and continue to the right on a marked track, towards the Estagnous-Mont Valier refuge

2 - BARLONGUERE ROAD INTERSECTION

Ignore the route on the right going up into the Peyralade valley and turn left, still in the direction of the refuge. Cross 2 footbridges and continue on the right bank of the stream.

3 - TUTTLE OF THE BEAR

Just after the bear's tutte, turn right to cross the stream on a footbridge and find yourself again on the left bank of the stream. Continue until you reach the pretty Nérech waterfall.

4 - NERECH WATERFALL

Cross the footbridge located under the waterfall. The path turns left and then continues its ascent on the right side of the valley towards the Caussis hut.

5 - CAUSSIS CABIN

Once you have passed the hut, turn left at the junction with the round pond and continue climbing towards the Estagnous refuge.

6 - ESTAGNOUS REFUGE

Once you have reached the refuge, continue east on a gently sloping trail which will become increasingly steep (handrails are present to secure certain places) until you reach the col de Faustin.

7 - FAUSTIN COLLAR

Arrived at the pass, take the path on the left which will lead you in switchbacks to the summit of Mont Valier.

8 - SUMMIT OF MONT VALIER

Congratulations, you have arrived 😍

9 - Estagnous refuge

Go back down to the Estagnous refuge.

10 - PECOUCH COLLAR

Go up to the Col de Pecouch.

11 - Pond of Milouga

Go down and cross the Milouga pond.

12 - TAUS CABIN

Go to the Taus hut.
We find the GR10 then we go down to the Aouen hut.