We set off from our hospitable refuge, and trek downhill to the lovely Lac Rond (1929m), stretching out any aching muscles inWe set off from our hospitable refuge, and trek downhill to the lovely Lac Rond (1929m), stretching out any aching muscles inanticipation of the next challenge. Lac Long lies only about half an hour away, but is 200m above us, and the path to it isextremely steep; in places there’s a fixed cable to assist us. Once at Lac Long (2125m) the border at the Col de la Clauère isalmost within sight. Our path crosses a deep gully, usually filled with snow, which provides an arduous slog to the top (2522m), where we gaze into Spain. It’s hard to imagine how the escapees from France would have felt at this moment, having survivedwhere we gaze into Spain. It’s hard to imagine how the escapees from France would have felt at this moment, having survivedthe mountain crossing. We are likely to feel a mix of relief and elation, as all that remains of our very challenging trek now is arelatively gentle descent over grassy slopes to the end of the trailhead above the village of Esterri de Aneu. We get into ourwaiting transport and drive back to France and the lovely spa town of Ax les Thermes.
Trek approx. 6 hours; drive approx. 3 hours