Adventurous Beginner Tour des Pérics

This stage starts in L'Hospitalet-près-l'Andorre and climbs steadily towards Refuge des Bésines. The route follows sections of the GR®107, also known as the Camí dels Bons Homes, and the GR®10, with clear white-and-red waymarks for most of the walk. It is a well-marked and generally comfortable trail without major technical difficulties, exposed ridges or extensive boulder fields, but you still gain height into mountain terrain and should keep a steady pace.

From the village, the trail leaves the road and follows tracks and narrower paths into a quieter valley, crossing several mountain streams along the way. Much of the route passes through shaded pine forest, with some rocky steps, occasional boulders and narrow sections on mountain slopes. After rainy springs, vegetation can be lush around the trail, so the path may feel tighter in places. Higher up, the forest thins and the terrain becomes more open.

Near the end of the ascent, the route reaches Étang des Bésines, a scenic lake and an ideal resting point before the final climb. From the lakeshore, the trail continues ascending through Jasse du Pla to Refuge des Bésines, where you arrive above the valley with wide views and a clear place to rest after the climb.

This is a demanding high-mountain traverse between Refuge des Bésines and Refuge d’En Beys, crossing rough Pyrenean terrain with steep ascents, steep descents and long rocky sections. Much of the route follows the GR®7 across high passes between the Bésines and En Beys valleys. The ground is often covered in scree and large granite boulders, so this stage asks for strong legs, good balance and careful route-finding from start to finish.

From the Bésines basin, the trail crosses uneven slopes with rock slabs, mountain streams and small pools before climbing towards Coma d’Anyell Pass (2,487 m), the highest point of the stage. The ascent follows cairns through rough granite terrain and loose stones. Early in the season, especially after snowy winters, snowfields can remain around the pass and make this section much more demanding.

The descent towards Refuge d’En Beys is the most technical part, especially via Étang Faury. Expect boulder fields, scree and sections where you move carefully from rock to rock. The terrain gradually softens lower down, but remains uneven in places before reaching the lake and Refuge d’En Beys, where you can rest after a serious mountain crossing. Enjoy a peaceful evening by the water and relax!

This route descends from Refuge d’En Beys to the Forges d’Orlu parkig area through the Orlu Valley. It is a long, steady downhill rather than a technical mountain stage, following clear paths and later wider forest tracks. The route is suitable for beginners, but the continuous descent of around 1,070 m can be hard on the knees. Walking poles are strongly recommended, especially if you are not used to long downhill sections.

From the refuge, the trail leaves the lake area and follows the valley down alongside L’Oriège torrent. The first part still crosses rougher mountain ground, with rock slabs and uneven sections, but the line is clear. Lower down, the terrain becomes gentler as you enter forest and meadows in the Réserve Nationale d’Orlu. Around Jasse d’en Gaudu, the valley opens into wide green ground surrounded by granite walls, a good area to pause and look for marmots.

Later, the route joins a broader forest track and continues comfortably towards Forges d’Orlu. The final stretch follows the river through the lower valley until the car park comes into view. You finish at the Parking des Forges d’Orlu, with picnic tables, shade and a practical place to arrange onward transport or continue towards nearby accommodation.