• Pyrenees GR10: Part 6, Aulus les Bains - Merens

• 15 June - 30 September (every day subject to availability)

• From £825 / €915
• Without bag transfer: less £105 / €120 per booking
• All prices per person, except where stated

• 7 nights, 6 day's self-guided walking moving between accommodation

• The high plateau of summer pastures
• Ariege, its lakes and green valleys
• The site of the Etang de Bassiès and its refuge
• Varied itinerary : crest, forests and summer pastures
• The wild beauty of the Ariege and its Regional Natural Park
• A tried and tested logistics to compensate for the lack of accommodation on this section of the GR10

• Half board

  3 nights in room in guest house on days 1 and 4 & 7
  2 nights in room in gite on days 3 & 5

  2 nights in a shared dormitory in mountain refuges on days 2 and 6. Bring a sack sheet (blankets provided)

• Half board accommodation
• Transfers days 5 & 6
• Luggage transport depending on the option chosen except for 2 nights in refuge on days 2 and 6
• Dossier containing maps, route notes (1 for 4 persons, given in 1st accommodation)
• GPS tracks if you ask us + access to the detailed itinerary on the Mhikes GPS mobile application

• Travel to Aulus les Bains and return from Merens
• Lunches and drinks
• Holiday and travel insurance
• Showers in the mountain huts
• Additional transfers
• Entrance fees, additional activities
• Drinks and picnics

• Find out more about the GR10 and the different walking holidays
• GR10 part 1: Hendaye - St Jean Pied de Port
• GR10 Part 2: St Jean Pied de Port - Etsaut
• GR10 Part 3: Etsaut - Cauterets
• GR10 Part 4: Cauterets - Luchon
• GR10 Part 5: Luchon - Aulus les Bains - see other walking holidays in the Pyrenees: Cerdagne Explorer - Pyrenees Coastal Trail - Azun Valley: Pyrenees Balcony Trail
• Return to Home Page

Walking Profile

6 days independent walking moving everyday between accommodation. It is graded strenuous because there are two days with well over 1000m of altitude gain, the longest day having +1500m of ascent. Average days include 6 hours hours walking and 850m of ascent & descent. Details are provided with the descriptions below. Paths are generally good and well defined, although they are often rocky and mountainous in character. You should have a good head for heights and be able to navigate.

Walking Holiday Day-by-day

Day 1: Arrival in Aulus les Bains

Arrive at your accommodation in Aulus les Bains. Options to visit Aulus les Bains or go hiking:

Guzet lake and Ars Waterfall
A great loop walk from Aulus-les-Bains to a mountain lake and the superb waterfall, the Cascade d’Ars.
The waterfall of Ars
This is another option for a shorter loop walk: it will take you to the great “Cascade d’Ars” which gives Aulus-les-Bains spa resort, its reputation.

• Distance : 13km, duration : around 5h00, altitude gain : +880m, descent : -880m.
• Distance : 10,5km, duration : around 3h45, altitude gain : +740m, dénivelé moins : -740m.

Day 2: Aulus - Bassies Refuge

From Aulus les Bains a walk up towards the Port de Saleix (1794m altitude). The beauty of the mountain scenery is awesome, rural barns, fresh, bubbling mountain torrents, a rich Pyrenean flora and an old mine. From the Port of Saleix, you can admire the view towards the Auzat and Vicdessos valleys, then the Bassiès lakes, before reaching the refuge. Distance : 11km, duration : around 5h15, altitude gain : +1270m, descent : -370m.

Day 3: Bassies Refuge - Refuge Goulier

The GR 10 goes along the magnificent Bassies lakes, and joins the lower part of the high Vicdessos valley in the direction of Auzat, at the foot of Montcalm, the last summit of more than 3000m altitude heading towards the Mediterranean. Then a superb path leads you to Goulier, passing through Olbier, a pretty little mountain village in the Ariege Pyrenees.
Distance : 13km, duration : around 4h30, altitude gain : +450m, descent : -995m.

Day 4: Goulier - Siguer

Starting from Goulier, the day's itinerary crosses many cols and passes through beautiful forests and mountain hamlets such as Lercoul and Siguer. The built heritage in these places is of historic importance: Romanesque churches, orris, barns or bordes. Near the villages, take the time to discover the remains of old cultivated terraces, with their low stone walls. Distance : 11,5km, duration : around 4h45, altitude gain : +650m, descent : -950m.

Day 5: Siguer - Pont de Coudenes

From Siguer and after a forest climb, you will reach the panoramic ridge of the Bede which leads to the summit of the Pla de Montcamp, a vast high plateau with a wonderful 360 degree view of the Ariege mountains. You'll then cross the wide open spaces of the Pla du Four, ideal for grazing animals as the Courtal Marti and Balledreyte huts testify. After crossing the Sirmont pass you'll descend to the Coudenes bridge. Transfer from the Coudenes bridge to your accommodation in the valley. Distance : 15,5km, duration : around 7h30, altitude gain : +1500m, descent : -1200m.

Day 6: Plateau de Beille - Rulhe Refuge

In the morning, transfer to the plateau de Beille, famous for its nordic ski station and for being on the itinerary for the Tour de France race. Ascent to the Rulhe refuge via the col des Finestres, Didorte, Belh and Terre Negre. A high mountain ambiance is guaranteed ! Distance : 14km, duration : around 5h15, altitude gain : +785m, descent : -380m.

Day 7 : Rulhe Refuge - Merens

Starting from the Rulhe refuge, the GR 10 first crosses the Calmette pass, then skirts around the Etang Bleu, following the Lhasse ridge with beautiful views over the Rulhe massif. Then a descent leads over the Comte Lake. The path then descends along the Mourguillou stream before arriving in Merens. Distance : 12,5km, duration : around 5h15, altitude gain : +330m, descent : -1460m.

Day 8: Departure

Holiday ends after breakfast.