Ax-les-Thermes, in the high mountains, is the ideal place for hiking and accessing magnificent lakes. A stone's throw from Andorra, hikes can be done for half a day or for the whole day with the family, with a beautiful night in a refuge On the edge of a lake. It is also savored while roaming, on the trails crossing the Ariège as the GR10 or GR107 (path of the fellows). All the lakes around Ax-les-Thermes promise beautiful walks, joyful picnics, and beautiful moments of life, feet in the water for the less cautious!
Our selection of lakes around Ax-les-Thermes
- THEBésines pond : departing from Mérens-les-Vals, 10 minutes from Ax-les-Thermes by car, the Bésines pond is nestled in a beautiful valley lined with hook pines and rhododendrons. You can also go to the refuge overlooking the lake. All this, in 2h30 round trip, only!
- THEComte pond : it's THE family hike around Ax-les-Thermes! After a start in the forest, you arrive on a vast plateau which then climbs towards the pond. A nice little hike without too much elevation, in 2h15 round trip.
- THEPond of En Beys : sporty (6h round trip), the climb to the pond of En Beys nevertheless promises a beautiful palette of different landscapes to discover: plateau of the jasse d'En Gaudu, mark of marmots, then climb through the forest, for a clear arrival towards the magnificent pond of En Beys.
![]()
The Laurenti pond © Ariège Pyrénées Tourisme / S.Meurisse ![]()
Descent to the Rabassoles ponds © Magda Fuster
Lakes accessible by car
For those who do not want to hike, but simply want to land at the edge of a lake, several possibilities are available to you!
Among those :
- Pond of Goulours, going up towards Ascou-Pailhères, on the right.
- Lake Campauleil in Orgeix, just before the village, on the right.
Ideal corners to relax, and have a good picnic with family or lovers!