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 the hardest day of the trek. It is only 8 kilometres, but most of it runs over rough alpine terrain: rock steps, boulder fields and scree, with a steep climb of about 410 metres to the high point of the day at around 2,460 metres and a long, steep descent on the other side. Keep in mind that this stage may take longer than expected, especially if you have limited hiking experience or are carrying a heavy backpack. Take your time, watch your footing, and start early to allow enough time to complete the route comfortably.

From the Refuge des Bésines you follow the GR10 along the Coume d'Agnel stream, through meadows and mountain pines. The path then steepens, passes a small lake and crosses two or three tricky rocky sections before it reaches the Col de Coma d'Anyell. Here the view opens south over the Étang du Lanoux and Pic Carlit. You leave the GR10 and traverse east on the red-and-yellow Tour des Pérics markings to the sign of the Orlu reserve.

Then comes the crux: a steep, long descent over stone steps and large granite boulders to the Étang de Faury, where you join the GR7. This is slow going, rock to rock, and a heavy pack makes every step count. Below the lake the path follows the young Oriège, still rocky at first and with a steep slope of big blocks, before it softens over grass towards the En Beys lakes. Early in the season snowfields can linger near the pass, and in rain or fog this stage is a lot harder.

The Refuge d'En Beys sits right on the lakeshore. Boots off, you earned this one.

This route descends from Refuge d’En Beys to the Forges d’Orlu parking 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. Technically it is the easiest day of the three, but the continuous descent of around 1,070 m is hard on the knees, especially after day two. 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.