이그노‬에서 가장 멋진 ‪5‬개의 천연기념물

Half of those present aren't following the rules! At the start of the climb, a sign clearly states that swimwear should be worn out of consideration (especially for children). Instead, a Frenchman presents himself completely naked. Some French women enjoy exposing their breasts. Everyone present is smugly sprawling, lying head-to-toe in the water without a single gesture of consideration for newly arrived visitors. A little further upstream from the spring, we encounter the third disappointment: Down in the village, several signs indicate a camping ban. A few meters above the spring, we found a camping tent in the forest (keyword: wild camping) and a prepared campfire site (as if there weren't enough forest fires in France by 2025). The behavior of some of the people is unacceptable.

The gorge is gorgeous indeed! I was there in August. Not a drop of water. Would like to go back a different season. Descent was partially overgrown and hard to find. No views there.

Over a length of three kilometres, the Èrç river has sculpted the rocks over thousands of years, creating a deep gorge that reaches between 300 and 400 metres deep. A place where the power of nature and the traces of erosion are clearly visible. The Gorges de la Frau are not only an impressive natural phenomenon, but also a witness to history. For centuries, they served as a natural passage between the Pyrenean valleys and thus tell stories of trade, travel and discovery. Today, this gorge is a central point of the Grand Traversée Ariège Pyrénées (GTAP) VTT, a mountain bike trail that makes the hearts of all adventurers beat faster. But whether you are on foot or on two wheels, the view of this narrow and steep gorge is breathtaking. It's almost like entering another world, where the rocks form the walls of an ancient castle and every stone, every tree, every curve has a story to tell. And although photos try to capture its beauty, they simply cannot do justice to the majestic atmosphere of the Gorges de la Frau. It is a place to be experienced, felt and breathed - an unforgettable natural wonder not to be missed on your trip through the Pyrenees.

Nice idea, if I had had more time it would be something for me too. More information: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ax-les-Thermes?wprov=sfla1

Gorges de la Frau is a narrow canyon that stretches for three kilometres. This protected natural area was formed by the erosion of the Èrç river on the rock. The canyon is between 300 and 400 metres deep and has been a passageway between the Pyrenean valleys for centuries.

The Etang de Naguilles is a dam lake which supplies the hydroelectric power station of Orlu. With an area of almost 100 hectares, it culminates at 1,855 meters. Now in industrial use, the pond has long animated local tales and legends. The Ariégeois say that the pond of Naguilles was born from the meeting of a blacksmith and the beast of the forest of Naguilles. The blacksmith allegedly gave the ferocious ferocious beast a white-hot iron bar. The beast, then thirsty, would have emptied all the water sources of the mountain before exploding at the current location of the pond.

These natural curiosities on the heights of Mérens-les-Vals are hot springs. Open at the end of the Nabre valley, the constitution of the springs contrasts with the spa towns of the region. Between the trees, its four basins hold water that is naturally sulphurous and heated to around forty degrees, completely devoid of human development. Whether you start or end your hike, bring a towel to enjoy this idyllic place.

The Devil's pond can be either a stopover towards the Pic Saint-Barthélemy for the more athletic, or an objective for those who hike to the Trout pond and want to push a little towards another magnificent lake.