The refuge is staffed continuously
from 4 June to 2 October 2011
then the weekends of the 8/9, 15/19 and 22/23 October 2011
Venez au Refuge des Estagnous...
For its environment – In the heart of the Mont Valier natural reserve, in hte Regional Natural Park of the Ariège Pyrenees, you'll discover wild, unspoiled nature. You can observe, photograph and breathe it with all the respect it instills. The natural high altitude environment is preserved here, in particular the wildlife (isards, bearded vulture, royal eagle, marmots...) as well as the characteristic flowers of our mountains (Pyreneen lily, Koch's gentiane...).
For the view – from the refuge you can see the Pic de la Pale de la Claouère, the Pic des 3 Comtes, the Round Lake and Long Lake, Tuc des Hêches, the Calabassse, the Cagire...
For the mythic summit of the Mont Valier, at 2838 metres altitude via the classic route (Ribero valley). From this superb belvedere you can contemplate the valleys and summits of the Couserans, the plains of Ariège and Haute Garonne right up to the chain of the Ariège Pyrenees. Beyond the Pic du Midi and l'Aneto... on a clear day you can see forever.
For numerous other walking routes : Summits (Barlonguère...), lakes (Milouga...), valleys (Estours...) and circuit hikes (Muscadet and Peyralade Valleys...) offer man choices. Itineraries of several days, PASS'ARAN, the Chemin de la Liberté, the transborder trails, and the GR10 invite you to prolong the pleasure.
For its Via ferrata : It links the refuge to the Long Lake and allows you to safely explore verticality. The starting point is either at the refuge or at the lake. It's 1200 m long of which 620m are equipped with metal railings and handholds. It takes about 2h30, D classification. (for information on equipment, safety, opening dates call the refuge or the Castillon tourist office.)
For its Festi’Valier. Every Friday night in July and August the refuge has an evening of cultural entertainment with music, dance, storytelling and gastronomie in an exceptional setting. The performers make the hike up to the refuge with their instruments. The programme can be found on the refuge's blog.
For its warm welcome and high quality Pyrenean cuisine. A good table and good humour are the keys to the success of the refuge des Estagnous! You can taste delicious traditional dishes (Axoa, Azinat, Aïgo Bouillido...) and homemade desserts, produced with local products. You can accompany it all with a good Ariège wine (plus a wide choice of beers and wines) and discuss your next hike with the gardians.
For a pleasant, convivial stay in an exceptional setting. You'll appreciate the hot and cold drinks and the terrace with the panoramic view. For a nice, light hiking trip we recommend staying at full board (hot meal, overnight accommodation, breakfast and picnic).
For its history. Built in 1912 by the Touring Club of France at the initiative of the Saint Girons Tourism Group, this refuge was used then by mountaineers climbing Mont Valier and by hunters. During WWII, members of the resistance and others fleeing Nazi-occupied France used when escaping over the Pyrenees to Spain over the "Chemin de la liberté".
Tel : 00 33 (0)5 61 96 76 22 
