A long loop that leads to the summit of Roc de Quercourt before following the ridges from east to west between Ariège and Aude, returning via the Chioula refuge and Col d'Ijou. Quite a distance, but a reasonable altitude difference for a very pleasant hike with exceptional panoramic views of the Ariège and Andorran Pyrenees over much of the route.
Technical summary
Type ✦ Hiking
Location ✦ Sorgeat
Region ✦ Ariège
Country ✦ France
Max altitude ✦ 1824m
Length of ascent ✦ 20km
Dénivelé ✦ 900m
Difficulty ✦ AD
Duration ✦ 6h to 7h
Interest ✦ ★
Access to the place
From Ax-les-Thermes, climb towards Ascou. Leave Ascou to climb towards Col de Chioula and enter the village of Sorgeat to park.
Cross the village at the top towards the La Prade municipal campsite and just outside the village, take the Route de la Vallée track. Walk on a false flat until you find the GR markers which join the track. Continue along the track, leaving the GR uphill to the left (return path from Col d'Ijou). The track then follows the curve of the mountain, heading north into the small valley of the riu Caud, before skirting it and crossing it. It climbs 2 large switchbacks to reach a small abandoned house: le Courtel d'Aybram. Starting point.
Course 4h à 5h
Once on the ridge, the route takes in all the heights to trace a great curve from east to west, "climbing" the Roc de Quercourt and then over a series of small summits to the Col de Ballague. No technical difficulty, but it's quite long, and the orientation is fairly obvious.
Section 1: Roc de Quercourt (1824m)
Continue on the trail. It climbs steadily and, at a final hairpin bend, continues westwards. The track climbs again, skirting a mountainside to run aground a few hundred meters below the ridge at the top of Coume Frède. Climb off-trail to reach a spring (watering place) and then reach the ridge where the GR 107 passes. It then swings northwards. Beginning of the crest.
Follow the GR, possibly making a left turn towards a small summit, before returning to the Serre de Coume Belle ridge. After a few undulations in grassy terrain, we head straight for the Roc de Quercourt summit at 1824m.
Section 2: Roc de la Taillade, Roc de Pic Bert and Sarrat de l'Assaladou
From the summit of Roc de Quercourt, head south-west to Roc de la Taillade, pass to the right of Roc de Pic Bert and aim for Sarrat de l'Assaladou. From there, descend to the Col de Balaguès.
Part 3: Col de Balaguès to Col d'Ijou (1649m)
From the Col de Balaguès, flank to the west and descend further to reach the Col des Canons (1617m). From here, climb a little further up the grassy slope to reach the Col de Rieufred. Pass a few small valleys before descending steeply to the Col de Pierre Blanche (1551m), where you come across the GR 107.
Follow the GR track, cutting off a little further on before reaching the Chioula refuge. The trail then heads east again, eventually climbing a little to the Col d'Ijou (1649m).
Back
From the Col d'Ijou, descend southwards on the GR through the forest, then on a balcony above the Ascou valley. After about 20 minutes, you're back on the Route de la Vallée track near the starting parking lot.
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