An ideal introductory hike to discover the mountains with the family. After starting in the forest, the path continues along the Mourguilhou stream, crosses numerous pastures strewn with gentians and rhododendrons up to the pond.
Access: From Ax, follow the RN20 and turn right 700m after Mérens towards the campsite. Cross the Ariège, pass to the left of the campsite and take the road, which becomes a forest track. Drive up the Mourguilhou valley to the parking lot.
- Guidebook with maps/step-by-step0h00 - PARKING (1,450 m). The yellow-marked path winds its way up through the fir-tree heath, and soon gains a foothold on an old, sometimes steep, paved path in the undergrowth.
0h30 - PONT DE PIERRES (1,538 m). Cross the Mourgouilhou stream and find the GR10, marked in red and white. Climb up the left bank of the stream. Winding first through hazelnut groves, then pastures, the path climbs in successive steps to l'Estagnol du Comte (1,652 m).
1h10 - INTERSECTION (1,660 m). As the GR10 begins to climb the slope towards the
refuge du Rulhe, follow the yellow-marked path that runs alongside the stream and climbs a small bolt.
1h20 - ÉTANG DE COMTE (1,726 m). After contemplating the pond and the long Mourgouilhou valley, follow the same route back down to a ford under the Estagnol du Comte.
1h40 - PASSAGE A GUÉ (1 645 m). Follow the yellow markers up a few dozen metres on the right bank to get around the rocky knoll, then start the descent through the undergrowth. The path then runs alongside the stream, which divides and narrows, past the Font des Fièvres and into the undergrowth.
2h - PONT DE PIERRES (1,538 m). Return to the parking lot along the same path as before.
2h30 - PARKING.
Services
Services
Picnic area
Car park
Free car park
