Source de l'Aude (lac d'Aude, Carlit)

Les Angles

The Aude rises in the Carlit massif, in the commune of Les Angles. According to Wikipedia FR, the source is at 2,172 m, a few hundred metres upstream of the Lac d'Aude; some place it in the lake itself. The altitudes differ: 2,135 m, 2,136 m (Wikipedia EN) or 2,185 m (website of the Les Angles resort). The lake covers 0.03 km². The course begins parallel to the Têt, then crosses the col de la Quillane (1,713 m), the watershed between these two coastal rivers. It runs through the Capcir, feeds the lakes of Matemale and Puyvalador, then plunges into the gorges de Saint-Georges. The name is ancient: the Romans said Atax (recorded in Strabo), Polybius Narbôn, and a cartulary of 1342 writes l'Auda. Atax is said to come from the Gaulish atacos, ‘fiery’ or ‘very fast’, according to Wikipedia. At 223.6 km long according to the Sandre, the Aude flows into the sea near Narbonne. The sources consulted mention no legend or history specific to the source; the only uncertainty is that of its exact location, river or lake.

Getting there: Source a few hundred metres upstream of the Lac d'Aude, Carlit massif (coordinates from the Wikipedia FR infobox, areq.net copy). Hike of about 12 km (4 h 20, 440 m of ascent) from the animal park of Les Angles according to the resort's website; passable mainly in summer.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound