A simple circuit, ideal for families including those with small children… the donkeys will be happy to carry them on their backs! This walk will lead you through a variety of landscapes, including high altitude plateaus with magnificent views of the Pyrenees, typical mountain villages such as Prades, Comus and Montaillou, forests on north-facing slopes and south sloping pastures…

Day 1
Arrival at the hotel La Grande Cordée. Trip to meet the donkeys and get all the information you need to ensure a pleasant time for both yourselves and your big-eared companions! Night in hotel.

Day 2
Walk between Ariège and Aude. Today you will pass across the Aillou plateau where the famous village of Montaillou can be found. The village with just 20 inhabitants is very well-known to experts on Cathar history. Jacques Fournier, the Bishop of Palmers and Great Inquisitor made detailed accounts of the lives of the humble inhabitants of the village, upon which the historian E.Leroy Ladurie later based his book “Montaillou, village occitan”. You’ll then arrive at Belcaire, at the centre of the Plateau de Sault, where you’ll spend the night in a hotel.
12km, +260m, -480m

Day 3
Today you’ll be leaving Belcaire through the forest and heading towards the quaint little village of Comus. You can take advantage of the panoramic view of the Gorges de la Frau, carved in the limestone and the Cathar castle of Montségur, which tells the tragic story of the “pure” Cathars. In 1244 the original castle fell at the hands of the Inquisitor, who burnt all the so-called “Heretics” in a fire. Night in gîte.
12km, +430m, -300m.

Day 4
Through mountain pastures and forests you’ll reach the refuge du Chioula with its outstanding views. From sunny plains to lush Mediterranean vegetation and deep valleys shaded by coniferous forest, the diversity of the landscape will leave you speechless. Today’s walk, which comes to a close at the scenic ridges of Chioula is sure to captivate the hearts of both young and old! Night in refuge.
13km, +740m, -280m.

Day 5
Situated amid the forest and pastures, the Refuge du Chioula is the great starting point for many easy walks. From here you can see the whole Ariège Valley on one side, and the Sault plateau on the other, with magnificent scenery and panoramic views of the Pyrenees whichever way you turn. The night will be spent in the refuge.

Day 6
Today you’ll follow the GR 107 (Chemin des Bonshommes), taking you past the Col de Balaguès to your departure point at the village of Prades. The Chemin des Bonshommes retraces the journey of the last of the Cathar people escaping the Inquisition, which took them to the more welcoming region of Berguedà in Catalonia, Spain. Your holiday ends at Prades, where you can bid a fond farewell to your big-eared friends before leaving Haute-Ariège.
10km, +150m,-500m.

Start
From 16:00 at La Grande Cordée, Ax-les-Thermes
End
Day 6 at La Grande Cordée, approximately 6pm.
How to get there
Motorway A66 , then N20, or SNCF station of Ax les Thermes (09).
Accommodation
Stop-over gîte, refuge and hotel, rooms for between 2 to 4 people (sleeping bag essential for nights in the gîte and refuge).
Number of people
From 2
Level of difficulty
Easy. Walks of between 4-5 hours a day, specially adapted for families with children aged 4 years and over. Without any particular difficulties.
Guide
Self-guided walk. We will however provide you with IGN maps and a Topo-guide.
Carrying
Only personal belongings for during the day and your picnic. Your bags will be carried by the donkeys.
Price includes
Half-board accommodation, local transfers, information pack with maps and Topo-guide, donkey hire.
Price does not include
Transport to and from start/finishing points, insurance, drink, site visits, visitors’taxes.

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