View towards the Dent d’Orlu from the Portella d’Orlu, between two rock faces, in the Pyrenees

On foot

Hiking around Ax-les-Thermes: walk ideas and maps

Lakes, mountain huts, plateaus and ridges: the upper Ariège valley has trails for every level. Here are a few ideas to get started, and the best sites to find and follow a route.

Altitude of the accommodation1,000 m
Start from OrluÉtang de Naguilles
GR 10 at the Col de Finestres1,967 m
Maps and adviceTourist office

To get started

Three walks that come up often

Routes mentioned by the tourist office and hiking sites. Durations and levels are given on the route sheets: check them before choosing.

Orlu

The Étang de Naguilles

Start: Forges d’Orlu

The largest lake in the Ariège Pyrenees. You climb up a forest path from the Forges d’Orlu car park, reached by the D22 from Ax-les-Thermes.

See Orlu

Hiking

The Refuge d’En Beys

Via the Étang de Naguilles

A longer hike from the Forges d’Orlu, going past the Étang de Naguilles before reaching the hut. One of the signature hikes of Ax-les-Thermes.

Plateau

The Plateau de Beille

GR 10Col de Finestres 1,967 m

The GR 10, which crosses the Pyrenees from east to west, goes through the Plateau de Beille, at the Col de Finestres. In summer, many walks start from the plateau.

See summer

More ideas

And also, closer to Ax-les-Thermes

Col de Joux and Orgeix

A loop on the GRP “Tour de la Montagne d’Ax”.

From Ax-les-Thermes to Orgeix

A walk that goes past the Lac de Campauleil.

Pic de Canals

Starting from Ax-les-Thermes, towards Mérens-les-Vals.

Refuge du Chioula

A hike starting from Ascou.

Étang des Bésines and its hut

One of the high-altitude routes of the upper valley.

Pic du Tarbésou and the Étangs de Rabassoles

A high-altitude hike, to choose according to your level.

Find your hike

Maps and sites to choose your route

Rather than an embedded map, here are the sites where you can search for a hike by town, level and duration. Each link opens in a new tab.

Before setting off

In the mountains, the weather decides

A misty morning can lift within an hour, and a big blue sky can cloud over in the afternoon. Check the forecast before climbing, leave with a margin, and do not hesitate to turn back.

Mist clinging to the wooded slopes of the mountain above Ignaux, on a rainy morning

Weather of the day

It changes fast at altitude: check it before climbing, and during the outing.

Set off early

To have a margin on the way back, and to avoid afternoon storms in summer.

Water, clothing, map

Bring water, a jacket, good shoes and a map, even on a waymarked trail.

Orlu national nature reserve

Regulations apply inside it: find out before setting off.

Tourist office. In Ax-les-Thermes, the tourist office provides up-to-date maps and advice according to your level and the weather.

Questions

About hiking

Where can I find hiking routes around Ax-les-Thermes?

On the map sites and apps listed on this page, and at the Ax-les-Thermes tourist office, which provides up-to-date maps and advice according to the weather and your level.

Why is there no embedded map on the site?

To keep this site free of cookies and trackers. The links open the partner sites’ maps in a new tab; there you choose your route, then download or print it.

Can you hike in winter?

High-altitude routes are mostly practicable in summer. In winter, switch to snowshoeing, at Le Chioula or the Plateau de Beille. See the winter page.

Should I get information before setting off?

Yes: the day’s weather, the level of the route, and the regulations of the Orlu national nature reserve. In the mountains, set off early and check the sky before climbing.

Going further