GR10 self-guided Section 6 : From Aulus les Bains to Merens

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.

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 : +1250m, descent : -350m.

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 : 5h, altitude gain : +450m, descent : -1000m.

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.

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 : 14,5km, duration : around 7h, altitude gain : +1500m, descent : -1200m.

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.

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 : +350m, descent : -1450m.