One Week in the Natural Parks of the Pyrenees

Begin with a visit to the medieval bastide of Mirepoix, with its surprising 14th-century covered arcades, and explore the neighboring villages of Camon, Vals, and Léran. You’ll have no trouble finding a pretty spot in nature for your picnic break!

Then head to Tarascon sur Ariège, and take the direction of Col de Port and Lers Lake (right in the village). Narrow road and steep climb towards the classics of the Tour de France. Superb mountain landscapes at the top of the pass, at Port de Lers.

For the night, you’ll have no trouble finding a quiet spot between Port de Lers and, further down, Lers Lake. Honk your horn if necessary to move the herds of cows!

Superb hike starting from Port de Lers, climbing to Lake D’arbu then to Pic des Trois Seigneurs, and returning via the ridges.

Info: Hiking guide for Pic des Trois Seigneurs

Night: at the same place as the previous evening! The van is waiting patiently for you.

And for your meal, if you’re a fisher (and get a day permit), you can try to catch some nice trout in the late afternoon on Lers Lake…

A few kilometers further, in the beautiful village of Aulus les Bains, you’ll find the starting point for a beautiful hike leading you to a superb waterfall, the Ars Waterfall. Possibility to extend to Guzet Lake.

Info: Hiking guide for Ars Waterfall

Night: No difficulty finding a quiet place, along a stream, to set up your camp

From Aulus les Bains, head towards Saint Girons via Ercé. On the way (5km from Ercé), stop to see the Cominac barns. The site benefits from an exceptional panoramic view of the Aulus mountains and the Mont Valier massif. The meadows are dotted with stone barns whose gables have a very particular shape specific to the region.

Another attraction not to be missed is the medieval city of Saint Lizier. An ancient Gallo-Roman city, a Bishopric from the 6th century until the Revolution, Saint-Lizier has many Romanesque monuments.

After these beautiful visits, head towards Spain via Saint Béat, then Vielha. Just before the town of El Pont de Suert, turn left towards Vall de Boi and Aiguestortes park.

For the night, we recommend the impeccable small campsite Del Remei. Very friendly welcome, in French, and especially impeccable facilities! Swimming pool, ping-pong table, and the possibility to order paellas. Royal in the evening when returning from hiking… Small family campsite: we recommend you book!
Another solution: find a quiet spot along the road that climbs the Boi valley, or near one of the many villages.

This Spanish national park is a true paradise for nature lovers. It contains the highest concentration of lakes in the entire Pyrenean range – 190 estanys (lakes), and numerous torrents and waterfalls – as well as an extremely rich fauna and flora.

This superb hike allows you to discover Estany Llong and many other beautiful ponds, while enjoying exceptional panoramic views.

Two possible starting points:
– From Boi, climbing up to the Planell d’Aiguestortes along the Sant Nicolau river, passing by Estany de Llebreta and the Sant Esperit waterfall (8h)
– From the Planell d’Aiguestortes, after taking the public transport service (4×4 Land Rover) that takes you up from Boi (4h)

From the Planell d’Aiguestortes, climb up to Estany Llong (route 1+2 on the map). Then go back down to the fork for the Dellui Valley circuit.

More info here!

This beautiful hike, less frequented than the previous one, will take you up through blueberry patches to the Géména Lakes. The superb landscape of lakes at the summit will be the reward for this beautiful and accessible ascent, and a privileged place for a nice picnic.

Starting point: Boi parking lot

To conclude this visit to the park, and before leaving, a visit to the Romanesque churches of the Boi Valley is a must. The valley indeed presents a set of exceptional Romanesque churches, recently classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO: churches of Boi, Taull, Erill la Vall, Barruera…
Most of these churches were covered with sumptuous colorful frescoes.