Cerdagne and Capcir, paradise of lakes and sunshine.

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Perpignan - Font-Romeu

  

  Welcome at the SNCF train station in Perpignan at 5:00 pm and transfer to Font-Romeu. If you are coming by vehicle from the Ariège valleys and surrounding areas, you can meet the group directly in Font-Romeu around 6:30 pm. Upon your arrival, your guide will give a short briefing about the stay. Transfer: private vehicle, about 1h30. Accommodation: hotel**. Meals included: dinner. Meals not included: breakfast, lunch.

• day 2

  Bouillouses Lake - Mount Llaret (2,376 m)

  

  Short transfer to Pla de Barrès then, aboard the public shuttle, we reach the Bouillouses lake. Hike then in the Malpas forest, a pine forest characteristic of the Pyrénées-Orientales; discovery of the lake and the Auda valley, then continuation up to the summit of Mont Llaret (2376 m), a true viewpoint over the Puig Carlit massif (2821 m), over the lake plateau that stretches at its feet, and over the Puig Péric massif (2810 m). To the east, the Matemale lake and the summit of Madres (2469 m) close the landscape. A 360° panorama... Then continue to the Balmette lakes and, between pines, streams and vast green meadows, discover the magnificent high-altitude Esparver lake. Return along the banks of the Bouillouses lake and check-in at the mountain hotel (2050 m) built on the lakeshore. Transfer: private vehicle then public shuttle, about 30 minutes. Walking time: about 6 hours. Positive elevation gain: + 500 m. Negative elevation loss: - 500 m. Distance: about 12 km. Accommodation: mountain hotel. Meals included: breakfast - lunch (picnic) - dinner.

• day 3

  Bouillouses Lake - Carlit Lakes

  

  After admiring the sunrise that bathes the Carlit peaks in pink, set off on the trail that gradually rises above the Bouillouses lake; it then winds through the countless lakes cascading between small pine groves at the foot of the Carlit peak... A true myriad of colors! The panoramic views are magnificent, the landscapes undeniably charming! Return via the trio of Pradella, Nègre, and Long lakes, nestled in the pine groves, which give these landscapes the appearance of a true Japanese garden. Return to the Font-Romeu hotel at the end of the afternoon. Transfer: public shuttle and private vehicle, about 30 minutes. Walking time: about 5 hours. Positive elevation gain: +400 m. Negative elevation loss: -400 m. Distance: about 10 km. Accommodation: hotel**. Meals included: breakfast - lunch (picnic) - dinner.

• day 4

  La Llagonne - Balcon de la Têt (1875) - Yellow Train

  

  Short transfer to La Llagonne, a small mountain village located at 1650 m altitude. By a path bordered by dry stone walls, crossing agricultural terraces to reach the small village of Sauto, which marks the entrance to the Têt valley. Then, it is by the famous "Chemin Vauban" and the "Balcon de la Têt" that we will continue, to reach the tiny village of Llar (1300 m), probably the most authentic remaining in the Pyrénées-Orientales. Then descent by a winding path where we will gradually find the deciduous forest again, which will lead us to the station of the "Petit Train Jaune de la Têt", listed as Regional Heritage; we will take it for the return to the hotel (the station is 200 m from the hotel) at 5:30 p.m. In case of fatigue on the descent, some participants can wait in the village of Llar for the guide to come and pick them up around 6 p.m. They can then take the next "Train Jaune", if they wish, for an arrival at the hotel around 7:30 p.m. Transfer: private vehicle, about 20 minutes. Train Jaune: about 1 hour. Walking time: about 5 hours. Positive elevation gain: + 300 m. Negative elevation gain: - 900 m (only - 500 m if you wait in the village of Llar). Distance: about 14 km. Accommodation: hotel**. Meals included: breakfast - lunch (picnic) - dinner.

• day 5

  Lakes of Camporells

  

  Transfer to the Formiguères ski resort. Then departure on foot among the scattered pine groves and clearings to quickly reach the Serra Mauri ridge (2412 m). This offers an exceptional 360° panorama over the entire border range with Ariège, from the Pic de Baxouillade (2546 m) to Pic Carlit (2921 m), passing by Pic Péric (2810 m) and the myriad lakes of Camporells and Bouillouses. Further away, Pic du Canigou (2785 m) seems to watch over these magnificent landscapes... Descent then to the Camporells refuge (2240 m), built on the shores of the lake; we will have the pleasure of stopping there for lunch and tasting some grilled food... The descent continues along a magnificent trail winding between rhododendrons and scattered pines, along the Galba stream, to reach the Esposolla valley, renowned for its authenticity. Transfer: private vehicle, about 1 hour 15 minutes round trip. Walking time: about 5 hours. Positive elevation gain: + 750 m. Negative elevation loss: - 750 m. Distance: about 14 km. Accommodation: hotel**. Meals included: breakfast - lunch (picnic) - dinner.

• day 6

  Carol Valley - Lake Lanoux (2215 m)

  Transfer to Porte-Puymorens, where our hike begins. Lovely loop starting from Lake Passet (1700 m), a place of transhumance for some animals; a path along the mountainside runs along the slope and offers a magnificent panorama over the entire valley and Lake Font Viva. This wild and verdant region is home to some herds of isards that we may be able to observe among the rhododendrons and other large, brightly colored flowers. Upon arrival at the large Lanoux dam (2215 m), at the foot of Pic Carlit, the path gradually rises above the lake and reaches a magnificent viewpoint over the multitude of lakes "set" on this high plateau. Return via the small Coma Joan hut (2133 m), built on the edge of the stream, where rhododendrons, lush meadows, erratic boulders, and pine groves create a legendary landscape... On the way back, we will take a break at the ancient baths of Dorres to discover the sulfurous hot waters of this place. Transfer: private vehicle, about 2 hours round trip. Walking time: about 5 hours. Positive elevation gain: + 600 m. Negative elevation loss: - 600 m. Distance: about 12 km. Accommodation: hotel**. Meals included: breakfast - lunch (picnic) - dinner.

• day 7

  Font-Romeu - Perpignan - End of the stay

  

  Return transfer to Perpignan SNCF train station after breakfast, arrival in the morning. Transfer: private vehicle, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Included meals: breakfast. Meals not included: lunch, dinner.