Étangs du Picot

Étangs du Picot is a chain of four mountain lakes in the commune of Auzat, in the Vicdessos valley, in the Ariège département of the French Pyrenees. It sits in the Couserans/Vicdessos area, where green pastures give way within a few hours' walk to bare, rocky glacial cirques.

Where exactly are the Étangs du Picot?

The lakes lie at the foot of the Picot peak, in a side valley branching off the Soulcem valley, one of the high valleys closing off the mountain block above Auzat. It is remote high-mountain terrain typical of Ariège's Pyrenees: bare granite ridges, sparse vegetation above 2,000 metres, and a quiet broken only by small waterfalls between the lakes.

How many lakes are there, and at what altitude?

The plural name is no accident — the group is made up of four lakes stacked one above the other on successive glacial steps:

• the first and lowest, at roughly 2,040 m,
• the second, at roughly 2,163 m,
• the third, the largest (about 5.7 hectares) and deepest (30–40 m), at roughly 2,286 m,
• the fourth and highest, at roughly 2,416 m.

Rock steps separate the lakes, with small waterfalls where the water drops from one basin to the next. The uppermost lake sits in a stark rocky cirque, overlooked by the peaks of Picot (2,707 m) and Malcaras (2,865 m).

How do you get to the Étangs du Picot?

The usual starting point is the Étang de Soulcem, a reservoir lake reachable by car via the departmental road that runs from Auzat through the hamlet of Marc. The road is narrow and winding but driveable; there are parking areas near the Soulcem dam and a bit further on, at the start of the Chemin des Orris. One catch: this stretch of high mountain road is normally closed by prefectural order over winter, from November to May, right at Marc, which cuts off car access for most of the year outside summer.

What is the trail like, and how hard is it?

From the shore of the Étang de Soulcem, the trail climbs toward the Picot lakes, opening up views over the Vicdessos valley and the peaks around it along the way. The full loop covers about 10.6 km and, despite its modest length, counts as a demanding outing — mostly because of the elevation gain and the rocky, mineral ground underfoot. On some stretches, especially near the higher lakes, a bit of scrambling with hands is useful, though nothing here amounts to technical climbing.

When is the best time to go?

The best window runs from May to October, once the trail is clear of snow and the access road is open. Outside that period, expect snow on the upper sections and a road that may be shut.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Étangs du Picot one lake or several? It is a group of four lakes arranged in a cascade, from about 2,040 m up to 2,416 m.

Where's the best place to start the hike? The natural starting point is the Étang de Soulcem, which you can drive to via the road through Marc.

Is the trail suitable for beginners? Given the elevation gain and rocky terrain, it is generally rated as difficult and better suited to hikers with some mountain experience.

Which is the biggest of the four lakes? The third one, covering roughly 5.7 hectares and reaching 30–40 metres deep.

Can you drive all the way to the lakes? No — you can only drive as far as the Étang de Soulcem; from there it's on foot along the mountain trail.