Cascade de Escaliers (Merens), Ruhle Refuge (France), Juclar Refuge (Andorra), Etang du Comte
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 20.91 mi
- Elevation gain
- 7,192 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 7,192 ft
- Max elevation
- 8,362 ft
- TrailRank
- 53
- Min elevation
- 4,727 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Moving time
- 13 hours 39 minutes
- Time
- 2 days 11 hours 43 minutes
- Coordinates
- 6243
- Uploaded
- July 17, 2023
- Recorded
- July 2023
near Mérens-les-Vals, Occitanie (France)
Viewed 114 times, downloaded 2 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
Start and end at parking for Cascade de Escaliers (Merens), on to Ruhle Refuge (France), past Etangs de Fontargenta, to Juclar Refuge (Andorra). Col de l'Albe back to France, down to Etang du Comte and parking.
There is no free drinking water at Ruhle (but there is beer and wine). The water source is on the path some 50m past the refuge.
The left turn at the end of Etang de Couart (on the third day) takes you into a boulder filled valley. It is difficult in good weather. Presumably treacherous in bad weather. Instead, continuing on the path straight ahead at the end of the lake and keeping left at intersections will bring you to the boulder path, but below the boulder area! I am sure this alternative route will be more enjoyable. You have been warned!
We took three days and with a tent and food it was still quite strenuous. Packing lighter and eating/sleeping at a refuge could make it possible for a 2 day hike. Although it may seem relatively short for three days, look at the elevation! Also, I am not sure Wikiloc records all ups and downs very well, my Pacer app suggested 18, 14, 21k for the 3 days which totals 53k. This seems more in line with our levels of tiredness than the 33k recorded by Wikiloc. However, despite the ascents and the boulder valley, it is a beautiful route and the staff at Juclar are welcoming and have wine.
There is no free drinking water at Ruhle (but there is beer and wine). The water source is on the path some 50m past the refuge.
The left turn at the end of Etang de Couart (on the third day) takes you into a boulder filled valley. It is difficult in good weather. Presumably treacherous in bad weather. Instead, continuing on the path straight ahead at the end of the lake and keeping left at intersections will bring you to the boulder path, but below the boulder area! I am sure this alternative route will be more enjoyable. You have been warned!
We took three days and with a tent and food it was still quite strenuous. Packing lighter and eating/sleeping at a refuge could make it possible for a 2 day hike. Although it may seem relatively short for three days, look at the elevation! Also, I am not sure Wikiloc records all ups and downs very well, my Pacer app suggested 18, 14, 21k for the 3 days which totals 53k. This seems more in line with our levels of tiredness than the 33k recorded by Wikiloc. However, despite the ascents and the boulder valley, it is a beautiful route and the staff at Juclar are welcoming and have wine.
Waypoints
River
Lake
Flora
Fauna
Mountain hut
Waypoint
7,382 ft
Border
Official point to stop saying bonjour and start saying bon día. Unless you're going in the opposite direction. You work it out.
Intersection
Campsite
Panorama
7,067 ft
The map says no rocks!!!
This is by far the worst part of the walk. I recommend avoiding it. At the end of the lake, instead of turning left into this horrific boulder filled valley, go straight ahead. If you take this path, choosing left at intersections it will join the original one below the boulders. You have been warned.
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