TOPO Hiking | CLIMBING7.COM
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From the Col de Lers, which marks the transition between the Garbet valley in the Haut-Couserans and the Vicdessos valley in the Haut-Ariège, the route up to the Pic des Trois Seigneurs passes along the Etang d'Arbu on the outward journey and returns via the ridges, offering splendid panoramic views over the region and forming a beautiful loop. From the summit, you can admire the Pyrenean foothills and the Ariège plain to the north, and the Pyrenean peaks of Canigou, Pic du Midi de Bigorre and Mont Valier to the south... The route is not so easy, with a few passages where you have to use your hands to make progress, and a fairly significant difference in altitude. Very popular in summer, and understandably so given the spectacle, this hike is well worth the detour, and is sure to attract others in the Ariège region.
Type ✦ Snowshoe hiking
Location ✦ Port de Lhers
Region ✦ Ariège
Country ✦ France
Length ✦ 11,5kms
Vertical drop ✦ 900m
Difficulty ✦ MD
Max altitude ✦ 2199m
Duration ✦ 4h to 4h30
Interest ✦ ★★
From Foix in Ariège, continue on the N20 towards Tarascon, then the D8 to Vicdessos. In the village, turn right onto the D18 up to Port de Lers. Park either on the bend at the trailhead, or at the pass.
By parking at the start bend, the approach is almost immediate (2′). From the pass, descend 2 large switchbacks cutting through the fields to reach the start (10′).
Quite a demanding loop, with a few passages requiring the use of the hands. The itinerary is obvious but not always easy to follow due to distant markings.
The trail crosses from the road into undergrowth and then onto open ground with views over the Vicdessos valley. After 25′, with no real change in altitude, the trail forks up towards the pond. We're under a large waterfall, which we'll climb to the right on a steep, rocky path. There are one or 2 passages where you have to use your hands to climb. After about 45′ from the start, you reach a first landing with a pretty little stone animal shelter. After that, it's less steep, then downhill for a while before climbing up to the foot of the Étang d'Arbu, below the Pic des Trois Seigneurs.
We skirt the pond on the left, then the path climbs up a gully to finally return to the top of the pond (30′). Follow the path due north, which rises in stages, again with a few easy handholds. After a flat spot, continue steeply until you come across the East-West path that climbs up to the peak and will be the return route. We're at the foot of a small cliff below the ridge (1h), then head east to the right to join the ridge and follow it to the summit, an airy path weaving its way between the rocks. At the summit, at almost 2200m, you can see the 3 valleys of the 3 ancient seigneuries before your eyes: Massat, Tarascon and Vicdessos.
Backtrack to the intersection below the ridge. Then continue westwards. The trail is magnificent, with a permanent panorama. We pass the Barrès peaks (2043m) and then the Fontanette peak (2002m). Further on, the itinerary makes a wide curve to the south, still on a ridge, with a few ascents and descents before overlooking the Col de Lers, in a field of yellowed grass (50′). From here, the descent is steeper and thigh-busting at the end. You'll pass a fence on the left-hand side and then a small wooden gate on the right-hand side, before heading straight down to the pass. If the vehicle has stayed lower, there's still 10′ to cut the 2 bends and reach the parking lot.
Depending on the starting parking lot, immediate if Port de Lhers otherwise 10′ to return to the trailhead.
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