アリエージュの湖・トップ20

Very beautiful and photogenic lakes in a high valley, accessible only by long hikes/climbing. Therefore, they are not as crowded as the reservoir in the valley below. You'll often need your hands on the descent from the eponymous peak, Pic d'Étang Fourcat.

a breathtaking view of the lake

Conveniently located hut for those who want to take the technically easiest, but with 2,000 meters of elevation gain, longest climb from the parking lot at L'Artigue to the peaks of Pic du Montcalm, Pica d'Estats, and Pic de Sotllo. The hut was already closed when I climbed in mid-October, but a winter room with approximately 14 beds was open. There's a cash register at the entrance, charging €8 per night.

"The house by the lake..." Beautifully situated hut on the ascent path from the L'Artigue parking lot to several peaks, including Pic du Montcalm and Pica d'Estats (I also included the somewhat more difficult Pic de Sotllo, hence my photos here as a "highlight" of mountain hiking). The hut was already out of service in October 2024, but there was a winter room with approximately 14 beds. A cash register awaits a deposit of €8 per night.

Couserans is a Gascon country of mountains, hills, meadows, lakes, waterfalls and forests which is entirely part of the Pyrénées Ariégeoises Regional Natural Park. Among its 18 valleys located at the foot of the majestic Mount Valier, some remained landlocked until the recent past, which allowed them to maintain their own identity, such as the Bethmale valley. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was an overpopulated country whose small agricultural plots did not allow families to live, which is why the inhabitants had to show a lot of imagination to find survival activities. This is how some became “bear handlers”, peddlers of vanilla, fake stone, ice. Others became itinerant “raw distillers” or gold prospectors.

The artificial lake of Montbel has the particularity of being located between Aude and Ariège. Located at the foot of the mountains it offers very pretty views.

Beautiful hike, easy to access. However, there is work underway on the dam (August 2023). The lake has been emptied and there are Algecos installed at the finish. Avoid for the moment.

Pretty lake accessible from the beginning of April this year. Note that the return made by the other side is not marked but the path is obvious.