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GR10 self-guided Section 6 : From Aulus les Bains to Merens
7 days
6 nights
6 days of activities
Easy Moderate
Self-guided
17PGR6LF
from 565 €
The walk from Aulus-les-bains to Mérens in Haute Ariège connects the western and the central sections of the Pyrenees with the Ariège part of the mountain range. This region is known for its high plateau landscapes, deep valleys hemmed in by soaring summits, sometimes covered with a sprinkling of snow, and mountain lakes whose waters change in colour. In the evening, the Ariège gastronomy will get you back in shape for the next day.
From Aulus, the guarded refuge of Bassiès surrounded by lakes will satisfy your desires for wide open spaces. In Vicdessos region, then, the discovery of orris, ancient circular dry stone constructions will allow you to put meaning and images on what is called pastoralism in the Auzat valley. The arrival on Mérens, at the gates of the nearby Capcir and Andorra, after the mountain stage of the Rulhe refuge will finally convince you that you will have to return one day to Haute-Ariège.
Dates and prices
Departures
Every days from the middle of June to the end of September.
Booking from 2 people (solitary traveller: consult us).
From 15/06/2023 to 30/09/2023 :
Prices with luggage transfer :
|
Price per person for a group of 2 persons |
695€ |
|
Price per person for a group of 3 persons |
650€ |
|
Price per person for a group of 4 persons |
625€ |
|
Price per person for a group of 5 persons |
610€ |
|
Price per person for a group of 6 persons |
595€ |
Prices without luggage transfer :
|
Price per person for a group of 2 persons |
620€ |
|
Price per person for a group of 3 persons |
600€ |
|
Price per person for a group of 4 persons |
585€ |
|
Price per person for a group of 5 persons |
575€ |
|
Price per person for a group of 6 persons |
565€ |
Extras :
- Comfort version (4 nights in rooms) : 55€/pers
- Extra for a single room : 160€/pers
- Transfer back from Mérens to Aulus les Bains on weekdays: 190€/transfer
- Transfer back from Mérens to Aulus les Bains on Sundays and public holidays: 210€/transfer
- Extra night in Aulus half board double room : 65€/pers
- Extra night in Aulus half board single room : 95€/pers
- Extra night in Aulus half board shared dormitory : 55€/pers
- Extra night in Mérens half board double room : 55€/pers
- Extra night in Mérens half board single room : 65€/pers
- Extra night in Mérens half board shared dormitory : 50€/pers
The price includes
- Half board accommodation
- Transfers days 5 and 6
- Luggage transport depending on the option chosen except for 2 nights in refuge on days 2 and 6
- Dossier containing maps, route notes (1 for 4 persons, given in 1st accommodation)
- GPS tracks if you ask us + access to the detailed itinerary on the Mhikes GPS mobile application
The price does not include
-Holiday and travel insurance
-15€ for booking fees
-Showers in the mountain huts
-Additional transfers
-Entrance fees, additional activities
-Drinks and picnics
Day 1 : Start of your holiday in Aulus les Bains
Your holiday starts at your accommodation in
Aulus-les-Bains. Option to visit the thermal village or to do a
loop
walk.
Guzet lake and Ars Waterfall
A great loop walk from Aulus-les-Bains to a mountain lake and the superb waterfall, the Cascade d’Ars.
The waterfall of Ars
This is another option for a shorter loop walk: it will take you to the great “Cascade d’Ars” which gives Aulus-les-Bains, famous spa resort, its reputation. Distance : 13km, duration : around 5h00, altitude gain : +880m, descent : -880m. OR Distance : 10,5km, durée : around 3h45, dénivelé plus : +740m, dénivelé moins : -740m.
Day 2 : from Aulus to Bassies refuge
From Aulus les Bains a walk up towards the Port de Saleix (1794m altitude). The beauty of the mountain scenery is awesome, rural barns, fresh, bubbly mountain torrents, a rich Pyrenean flora and an old mine. From the Port of Saleix, you can admire the view towards the Auzat and Vicdessos valleys, then the Bassiès lakes, before reaching the refuge. Distance : 11km, duration : around 5h15, altitude gain : +1270m, descent : -370m.
Day 3 : from Bassiès refuge to Goulier
The GR 10 goes along the magnificent Bassiès ponds, and joins
the lower part of the high Vicdessos valley in the direction of
Auzat, at the foot of Montcalm, the last summit of more than 3000m
altitude towards the Mediterranean. Then a superb path leads
to Goulier, passing through Olbier, a pretty little mountain
village in the Ariege Pyrenees. Distance : 13km, duration : 4h30,
altitude gain : +450m, descent : -995m.
Day 4 : from Goulier to Siguer
Starting from Goulier, the day's itinerary
crosses many cols and passes through beautiful forests and mountain
hamlets such as Lercoul and Siguer. The built heritage in these
places is important: Romanesque churches, orris, barns or bordes.
Near the villages, take the time to discover the remains of the old
cultivation terraces, with their low stone
walls. Distance : 11,5km, duration : around 4h45,
altitude gain : +650m, descent : -950m.
Day 5 : from Siguer to “Pont de Coudènes”
From Siguer and after a forest climb, you will
reach the panoramic ridge of the Bède which leads to the summit of
the Pla de Montcamp, a vast high plateau with a wonderful 360° view
of the Ariege mountains. You will then cross the wide open spaces
of the Pla du Four, ideal for grazing animals as the Courtal Marti
and Balledreyte huts testify. You will then cross the Sirmont pass
before descending to the Coudènes bridge. Transfer from the
Coudènes bridge to your accommodation in
valley. Distance : 15,5km, duration : around 7h30,
altitude gain : +1500m, descent : -1200m.
Day 6 : from the Plateau de Beille to Rulhe refuge
In the morning, transfer to the plateau de Beille, famous for its nordic ski station and as being on the itinerary for the Tour de France race. Ascent to the Rulhe refuge via the col des Finestres, Didorte, Belh and Terre Nègre. A high mountain ambience is guaranteed! Distance : 14km, duration : around 5h15, altitude gain : +785m, descent : -380m.
Day 7 : from Rulhe refuge to Mérens
Starting from the Rulhe refuge, the GR 10 first crosses the
Calmette pass, then skirts around the Etang Bleu, following the
Lhasse ridge with beautiful views over the Rulhe massif. Then a
descent leads over the Comte pond. The path then descends along the
Mourguillou stream to reach the jasse of the same name, opposite
the Font des Fièvres, before arriving in Mérens. Distance :
12,5km, duration : around 5h15, altitude gain : +330m, descent :
-1460m.
This programme is an example of the itinerary we aim to adhere to. It may be necessary, if situations arise that are beyond our control, for the itinerary to be modified.
Welcome
Day 1 at your accommodation in Aulus- les-Bains (09)
Dispersion
Day 7 after the walk, in Merens (09).
Level
Level 3/5
Regular walker, in good physical condition with experience of mountain hiking. Hiking 6h-7h per day on average, altitude difference 700m-1000m on average, on fairly easy trails, with some small technical difficulties.. The walking times mentioned are given as an indication, they are average times that only take into account the duration of the actual walking without counting the break times. Depending on the weather conditions, the walking pace can also vary, ranging from +300m to +500m of climb per hour.
Accommodation
Half board
2 nights in a shared dormitory in mountain refuges on days 2 and 6. Bring a sleeping bag liner (blankets provided)
3 nights in a shared dormitory in gite on days 1, 3 and 5. Bring a sleeping bag liner (blankets provided)
1 nights in room in guest room on day 4
COMFORT VERSION (with extra) :
2 nights in room in guest house on days 1 and 4
1 night in room in gite on day 3
2 nights in room in gite on days 3 and 5
Food
- Continental breakfast (tea, coffee, milk, butter, jam)
- Evening meals in gites, often based on local specialities, include a starter, a main course and a dessert.
- Pic-nics and drinks not included.
Carrying luggage
You will need to carry a day backpack only. Our bag-moving service means you can travel light during your walks. Except for the nights in refuges on day 2 and 6 where you will need to carry personal belongings for the night (sleeping bag sheet, change of clothes, toiletries) as you will not have access to your main luggage those nights. Your main luggage (that should please be easily transportable) will be transported by vehicle between the different night stops, unless you have chosen the version without luggage transport.
Guide
Self-guided walking, without guide.