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L’étang Bleu via the Embans cirque

Publié le 11 November 2018 | Ariege, France Eng

At the entrance to the Haute Ariège, in the narrow valley that runs due south from Rabat-Les-Trois-Seigneurs, the ascent to the Etang Bleu begins along the Courbière stream, then rises to the impressive Embans cirque. The path then crosses large waterfalls and reaches a pretty little basin at altitude, where small lakes lie, a showcase of pure, translucent water, a natural mirror of the Pyrenean sky. The lake in question, blue if the sky is right, is just a stage on the way up to the Col de la Couillade at almost 2000m. Here, you can enjoy an incredible view of the Pyrenean peaks, now whitened by the first snows of winter. Last hike before putting on your skis?

Technical summary

Type ✦ Hiking

Location ✦ La Freyte, Rabat-Les-trois-Seigneurs

Region ✦ Ariège

Country ✦ France

Length ✦ 11kms

Dénivelé ✦ 800m

Difficulty ✦ MD

Max altitude ✦ 2150m

Duration ✦ 4h30 to 5h

Interest ✦ ★★

Access to the place

From Toulouse, take the freeway to Foix and continue towards Ax-les-Thermes. At the 4-way traffic circle, turn right towards Massat, then right again towards Rabat-Les-trois-Seigneurs. Pass through the village and continue towards La Freyte on the D223 to the end of the small road where there is a parking lot.

Map & topo

Voir en plein écran

Itinerary description

Hiking to the start 30'

Leave the parking lot at the back without crossing the stream and walk along the wide track for about 30′ before finding the 1st footbridge which marks the return of the loop.

Course 2h30 à 3h

The loop is marked in yellow all the way up to the Col de la Couillate. No difficulty, except for the last part of the ascent to the pond, which is a little steeper and potentially slippery in wet weather. The ascent to the pass is 920m and the distance of the loop with the return trip to the pass around 11kms. The exposure is more northerly, except when arriving at the pass due south. Allow around 1h45 to reach the pond and a further 45′ to make the return trip to the pass, without breaks.

Part 1: L'Étang Bleu (1h45, 1790m)

Continue for a while on the left bank of the stream before finding the second footbridge to cross. The path then climbs steeply through the forest, which is magnificent at this time of year. The route is not easy to find because of the carpet of leaves on the ground. Further up you come to a jasse (grassy flat where herds spend the night) with an orri (round dry-stone hut). We cross the flat area to tackle the second part of the ascent, discovering the Embans cirque above our heads. The trail then climbs along large waterfalls, rising to a higher level and reaching the basin where you'll find Etang Long and, further on, Etang Bleu.

Part 2: Col de la Couillate (30′, 1961m)

Follow the pond to find at the bottom the mini-trail that climbs into the combe towards the pass, obvious. The path climbs fairly straight up to the pass. In 20-30′ you're there. The view is splendid. You can continue due west towards the Pic de Peyroulet (2165m) to gain height and extend the panorama of the peaks.

Back

From the pass, retrace your steps to the blue pond, then turn right. You go down to a landing, then it's a steep yawing descent for a while. Further down, you find yourself back in the forest, and the path continues until you reach a track which you take to the left to reach the footbridge.