The Bassiès ponds and their refuge, hiking in Auzat: Ariège Pyrénées

This superb hike will allow you to cross beautiful forests before reaching the Bassiès ponds. They extend over 2.5km, from the Etang d'Escalès to the Etang du Pla de la Font, passing through the long pond and the majestic Etang Majeur.

Each of these ponds is suitable for a peaceful cool break. The bravest of hikers will reach the last pond!
Access to departure: In Tarascon-sur-Ariège, take the road towards Vicdessos. Arrived at Vicdessos, continue to Auzat and the Montcalm valley. 2,5km after Auzat, stop the car in a large hairpin bend turning left which allows you to park, a place called "Massada". There is also a large parking lot with a picnic area a few meters down. The trail, indicated by a sign to the right of the road (when climbing), begins just in the curve of the hairpin. It is also possible to join this route by the Pont de Gers a little higher.

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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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Join the starting point

1 - Massada car park

The start is at "Massada", the path immediately crosses the Vicdessos stream on a footbridge and then rises slightly in the forest towards the South-West. The climb increases, the path turns imperceptibly towards the West. Reach the junction with the path coming from the Pont de Gers.

2 - Gers bridge junction

Continue north-west uphill. By multiple laces, cross the track of the power station.

3 - Power station track

Cross it and continue the steeply uphill path just opposite, still heading northwest. Then attack the steepest part of this outward route. The path joins the GR®0 (which comes from Marc via an old channel). There are many tight laces. Pass imperceptibly on the southern flank of the valley of the Bassiès stream. The very steep climb ends, the path passes under sumptuous beech trees and descends very gently before arriving at a welcome source! The forest thins out and the path overlooks a landscape preceding a glacial lock, zigzagging between rocks. Reach the penstock, very clearly marked on the map.

4 - Forced driving

Continue with a more pronounced climb and attack the lock above which is the first lake (Escales). Arrive before the Etang d'Escales dam at a small stone bridge that spans the stream.

5 - Escales dam

From here, it's a walk in the lake circus of Bassiès. Reach the end of the Escalès pond.

6 - Etang d'Escales

Before reaching the Etang d'Escales, head towards the small Etang Long, and a little higher up the superb Étang Majeur.

7 - Major Pond

Begin the return by the same route to the Etang d'Escales dam.

8 - Escales dam

Do not go back over the stone bridge. Continue on the left bank of the Bassiès stream. Very easily find the stone mule track heading south-east, which rises very quickly over the rocks. Descend via twists and turns, first over rocks and then through a birch forest which gradually thickens during the descent. Even if this path is very well maintained and well traced, it is nonetheless very tiring, the descent is long and hard on the knees. You will be rewarded with a permanent view of the valley of Vicdessos and the peaks that dominate it to the east. Reach the top of the power station track.

9 - Power plant

Go down the track from the power station for a few minutes heading south, the descent is very gentle, to find the crossroads of the outward route.

10 - Power station track

Find the outward route to return to the departure car park.