Maping
1/25 000 TOP 25 map reference AX LES THERMES 2148 ET (INSTITUT GEOGRAPHIQUE NATIONAL edition) is compulsory.
Donkeys transportation: 52 Euros
Different stages
From that trip Belvederes from Sault Land, you can imagine an easier walk, once every two days, move to another spot or make a loop arround your gite. Prices are the same.
Accomodation
Far from high touristic places, this trip proposes genuine accomodation with good cooking and very sympathic welcome. Accomodation is available every day, gite or refuge, either bedrooms or 4 to 6 beds small dormitories.
A donkey park is set near by. Booking is compulsory to make sure, otherwise carry a tent in case.

Camping
Camping in the wild is always possible in that areaa and we shalll indicate some nice places near springs.
You can also camp in camp places with sanitaries and common room or in the neighbourhood of the refuge: you will be charged for sanitary use and common room.

TRIP DESCRIPTION
DAY 1 : from PRADES (1250 m) to BELCAIRE (1000 m)- 2 hours
You cross the small Aillou plateau dominated by Montaillou. Even if the ruins of its castle are scarce, the 20 inhabitants village is well-known history.Pamiers bishop, Jacques Fournier , a very famous inquisitor (and ethnologist beforehand), left many registers in which he recorded the village inhabitants’ testimonials. Taking those documents as a basis that accurately described the life of lower and modest classes, Emmanuel Leroy Ladurie wrote his history book «Montaillou, village occitan ». You go to Belcaire , in the heart of the Plateau de Sault. The pond is reserved each afternoon for swimming and it always enjoys walkers. You can spend a pleasant day there (either planning a day extra or cancelling the walk on Chioula Plateau planned on day 6). Hôtel 04 68 20 31 05 .Village camp site .All shops. Providing

DAY 2: from BELCAIRE (1000 m) to CAMURAC (1200 m)-3 hours
On leaving Belcaire, the road rises and it gets a little hot. Fortunately, the remainder of the ride is through the shady forest. You join the Col des Sept Frères and Camurac, village with only a main street dotted with huge water troughss. You can sleep and eat on stage lodging La Marmite, where awaits Michel. Tel 04 68 20 73 31. http://www.gites-camurac.com. Grocery

DAY 3: from CAMURAC (1200 m) to COMUS (1200 m)-3 hours
Along wide pastoral and forestry tracks, you will reach Comus, a charming village, where you’ll meet Anne and her excellent welcome in her gite.You go to the belvedere overlooking the Montsegur castle and Gorges de la Frau Gîte .Tel 04 68 20 33 69 .http://www.gites-comus.com. no grocery

DAY 4: walk in loop around COMUS
A stroll at your leisure to discover the impressive Gorges de la Frau (classified site) and the Basqui valley, its brooklet, its pastures and herds.

DAY 5: from COMUS (1200 m) to REFUGE DE CHIOULA (1600 m)-5 hours
You walk through mountain pastures and forests, going to Chioula refuge and its magnificent panorama of the Pyrenean peaks.
Chioula refuge. 05 61 64 06 97 http://www.refugeduchioula.com. Camping possible nearby .

DAY 6 : Walk around CHIOULA REFUGE
Right in the middle of the forests and the pastures, Chioula refuge is the starting point of many easy walks . On one side you are above the Ariège Valley, with Sault Plateau on the other side, surrounded by beautiful landscapes.

DAY 7 : from CHIOULA REFUGE (1600 m) to PRADES ( 1250 m)-4 hours
Following GR107, by the col de Balaguès, allong paths, bordered with blueberries and raspberries, you will reach Prades,your starting point.

Maping
1/25 000 TOP 25 reference AX LES THERMES 2148 ET
(INSTITUT GEOGRAPHIQUE NATIONAL edition) is compulsory.
The Top 25 BOURG MADAME map 2249 OT will be necessary in the reserve.
Donkeys transportation 21 Euros
Different stages
If you sleep in accomodation, steps 1 and 5 can not be modified because of the scarcity of accommodation. If you are camping, they can be cut. You'll camp near 2 springs halfway. Step 4 can be cut by sleeping into the cottage "La Forge" in Ascou
The hike of day 6 will be adapted to the strength of your legs. It is also very pleasant to do nothing near the lake!
Accomodation
Accomodation is possible every day, gite or refuge, from 4 to 12 beds, small dormitories.
A donkey park is set near by. Booking is compulsory to make sure, otherwise carry a spare tent.
You can also camp in the neighbourhood of the refuge.
Sometimes, you can be charged for sanitary use and common room.
Camping in the wild is always possible in that area.

TREK DESCRIPTION
DAY 1 : from UNAC (700 m) to CHIOULA REFUGE (1600 m) -5 hours
You leave the bottom of the valley where Unac is sheltered to reach the first heights and discover a wonderful panorama of the Pyrenean range.
Accomodation: Chioula refuge tel.05 61 64 06 97-http://www.refugeduchioula.com - Possible camping near the refuge - No provisions available.

DAY 2: from CHIOULA REFUGE (1600 m) to COMUS (1200 m)-4 hours
Through marvellous forests and Aillou summer fields you reach the « Aude » department. Gîte with dormitories or bedrooms 04 68 20 33 69- http://www.gites-comus.com-Possible meals in the gite - Provisisons at Camurac (2 km).

DAY 3 : from COMUS (1200 m) to CHIOULA REFUGE (1600 m)-5 hours
You cross the Aillou plateau 1000 m high, good in winter to cross country ski. The background thanks to mediterranean influence and calcareous ground and is very different from the High Ariège one. You walk through Montaillou village, famous for its cathar history which inspired the history book by E. Leroy Ladurie, then you reach Chioula refuge.

DAY 4 : from CHIOULA REFUGE (1600 m) to ORLU (850 m) -4 hours
Very varied landscapes, going through typical sunny villages and forests. You will come to Orlu, small village by the side of the Oriège river.
Village camp site : 05 61.64.30.09 - small grocery - Gîte with dormitories or bedrooms and restaurant : 05 61.64.61.88. http://www.aurelaismontagnard.com/

DAY 5 : from ORLU (850 m) to EN BEYS LAKE (1954 m)-6 hours
Fairly Long and difficult because of the big ehmb. Fortunately,all your efforts will be rewarded when getting to Orlu National Reserve, wide natural space, privileged observation spot of wild animals. You enjoy the high mountain atmosphere: summer flocks with ringing bells, swift isards, marmot whistling, rhododendrons flowering round the lake.
Managed refuge with dormitories : 05 61.64.24.24- http://www.refuge-enbeys.com-Possible camping near the refuge - Possible meals but no provisions.

DAY 6 : ORLU RESERVE (2000m)
Beyond the En Beys refuge, the paths are not suitable for donkeys. So you'll leave them in the park, and wallk for a day or a few hours, discovering lakes, flora, and fauna,both particularly abundant.
Night : En Beys refuge or camping in the wilderness

DAY 7 : from EN BEYS LAKE (2000 m) to ORLU (1000 m)-4 hours
Well, you have to walk away from those enchanted areas! You stop walking at Orlu. You leave the donkeys in a park and go back to Unac by taxi.

Maping
1/25 000 TOP 25 reference VICDESSOS 2148 0T (INSTITUT GEOGRAPHIQUE NATIONAL edition) is compulsory
Donkeys transportation: 64 €
Different stages
As you are equipped with tents, stages can be arranged, especially if they are too long for legs of youngest
Accomodation
This walk has to be planned without any accomodation. So you must carry a tent. You will come across pastoral shelters. Generally they stay opened and free for all but, of course, we can’t guarantee they are available when necessary! As no shop is to be found on the way, you will have to carry the quantity of food for several days. Think about it to reckon your load. When using the services offered by the refuge or gite manager (sanitary, common room, camping site) a basic charge is sometimes paid

TREK DESCRIPTION
DAY 1 : from UNAC (700 m) to ASTON (600 m)
Following the corniche paths you will need 5 hours to reach Aston village without. any difficulty. This is the best opprtunity to discover the most beautiful roman churches in Higher Ariège, built in the heart of the villages. You will see the rocky hill crowned with the rruins of lordat Castle. You can also admire the large panorama of the Ariège Valley. Camping providing at Les Cabannes.

DAY 2 : from ASTON ( 600 m) to BESSET SHELTER neighbourhood (1600 m)
This is a harder walk that takes you from the bottom of the valley to the high crests, the border line between Ariège and Vicdessos Valley.

DAY 3 : from BESSET SHELTER NEIGHBOURHOOD (1600 m) to SIGUER (750 m)
You keep going up to Pla de Montcamp, where you can admire a 360° landscape : Toulouse and pamiers to the North, Andorra peaks to the south. Then you will walk down the pastoral tracks to vicdessos Valley, among one of the wildest areas in Ariège. In Siguer village, you must spot, Gaston Fébus’ () Foix Ccount) hunting house

DAY 4 :from SIGUER (740 m) to AUZAT (750 m)
You first walk up to Lercoul pass (1549 m) and then down through the woods. On that day, you will stick to the old minors’ path leading to Rancié iron mine famopus for its particularly rich and abondant metal ore. Camping providing – swimming pool.

DAY 5 : from AUZAT (750 m) to BASSIES refuge(1650 m)
You follow for 1 hour, the bottom of Vicdessos Valley and, later walk up to Bassies Lakes , set in a chain in a rocky circus. Refuge 05 61 64 89 98- http://bassies.free.fr -Possible camping near the refuge. Meals at the refuge. No providing

DAY 6 : walk arround BASSIES REFUGE
You can enjoy marvelous walks up to the numerous surrounding peaks, an occasion to come across many « orrys » primitive stone shelters. Admire their remarkable architecture.

DAY 7 : from BASSIES REFUGE(1600 m) to AUZAT (700 m)
You walk all the way down to Auzat, end of your trip.

Maping
1/25 000 TOP 25 reference BOURG MADAME 2249 OT (INSTITUT GEOGRAPHIQUE NATIONAL edition) is compulsory.
Donkeys transportation: 73 Euros
The different stages
Most of them are relatively short. If you wish to walk more, several nice loops are possible from every camping spot (without the donkeys) to explore the ridges and the peaks of the area.
Accomodation and providing
This walk has to be planned without any accomodation and without any providing. So you must carry a tent and the quantity of food for several days. Think about it to reckon your load. Merens Village- you walk by it in the morning of the second day offers a gite and a grocery but it means you have to walk a little more. Besines refuge offers gite and meal.
Equipment
Compass and height mesure may be useful in case of nasty weather. Pack up with warm clothes.

Period
Possible walk from July to September. In case of bad weather forecast, you should avoid this kind of tour. This is why, we advice you not to book your accomodation in Besines refuge in case you want to make a stop there. Only after consulting the weather forecast, you can think of booking.

TREK DESCRIPTION
DAY 1: from ORGEIX (820 m) to JOUX PASS(1700 m)
Walking all the way through the forest, you’ll get to the mild pastures of Joux Pass. There, the soft lines, nearly like those of Vosges or Jura, contrast sharply with the landscapes you’ll come across later on.

DAY 2: from JOUX PASS to JASSE DE LA PRESSASSE (1832 m)
You nicely walk down to Mérens les Vals village, then follow up the Nabre Valley along a rocky path (GR 10) up to Pressasse « Jasse ». The word « jasse » is used for a flat area and throughout that very steep area, « la Pressasse » is realy the only flat spot, big enough to pitch a tent.

DAY 3: from JASSE DE LA PRESSASSE (1832 m) to the ancient SOULA COULOUME ORRY(2180m)
You keep walking up to « Porteille des Bésines » (porteille means pass) which overlooks, up above 2333 meters and which shows the border between the Nabre Valley and the Bésines circus. You walk up first along the Nabre mountain stream among a certain rocky environment, but still very green. When getting under « la Porteille », you come ecross in a very impressive universe full of granite blocks, and all size rocks, and you really wonder how can donkeys go through such obstacles! La Porteille being behind, the path is easier, and you stick to it until you come to Soula Couloumé orry (orry is primitive stone shelter used as a sheperd’s cabin in the old days)

DAY 4: walk around SOULA COULOUME
At 2300 m, Soula Couloumé Lake overlooks your camping spot. Leaving the donkeys around the tents, where they will enjoy the « réglisse », a famous plant on those pastures, you will discover that nice lake looking like those of the postcards. If the weather is doubtful, if you think of a shower or a nice meal, you can walk as far as the managed Bésines refuge, you’ll reach within one hour-http://besines.free.fr

DAY 5: from SOULA COULOUME ORRY to CLOT DES PUJOLS (2245 m)
After crossing the valley, you will then be facing your camping spot of the day before. After walking down to « Pla » and to Bésines Lake, you follow up the hill a small path, leading to Clot des Pujols, through pastures and hookpine woods.

DAY 6: from CLOT DES PUJOLS to COUME D’OR LAKE(2466 m)
You walk up along the stream. Behind you, the huge Bésines circus stretches under « la Porteille ». The grassy path is steep but progressive up to the small suspended Coume d’Or Lake. If brave enough, you can reach Pedrous Summit quite near, overlooking the big Lanoux Lake.

DAY 7: from COUME D’OR LAKE to PUYMORENS PASS(1920 m)
Smooth walk down to Puymorens Pass.

Maping
1/25 000 TOP 25 references TOP 25 Ax les Thermes 2148 ET and BOURG MADAME 2249 OT (INSTITUT GEOGRAPHIQUE NATIONAL edition) is compulsory.
Donkeys transportation: 64 Euros
The different stages
Most of them are relatively short. If you wish to walk more, several nice loops are possible from every camping spot (without the donkeys) to explore the ridges and the peaks of the area.
Accomodation and providing
This walk has to be planned without any accomodation and without any providing. So you must carry a tent and the quantity of food for several days. Think about it to reckon your load.Ruhle refuge offers gite and meal.
Equipment
Compass and height mesure may be useful in case of nasty weather. Pack up with warm clothes.

Period
Possible walk from July to September. In case of bad weather forecast, you should avoid this kind of tour. This is why, we advice you not to book your accomodation in Rulhe refuge in case you want to make a stop there. Only after consulting the weather forecast, you can think of booking.

TREK DESCRIPTION
DAY 1: from UNAC (700 m) to COUMELS WOOD (1526 m )
After crossing the Ariège valley, you walk up through the woods, along the coal workers path, used in the old days to carry down the wood coal used in the numerous catalan forges in the valley. On your way , you can have a drink thanks to “Font de l’Ours” spring (bear’s spring) providing such cold water that you must warm it up to drink it straightaway! Here, the tradition is adding some pastis to it, but sweet sirup can always do.

DAY 2: from COUMELS WOOD to EMBIZON LAKE (2086 m)
The path passes several pastoral shelters and you might meet unac sheperd, looking after the collective flock of the village. Going off the path, you will discover Bretounels orry, an old sheperd’s shelter, a good size one, with an impressive dry stone vault. If you wish to camp near Embizon lake, you must walk down a tricky passage.

DAY 3: from EMBIZON LAKE to RULHE LAKE (2018m)
You go up the tricky passage and follow the soft slope which takes you down to Didorte Pass. Further below, Rieutor winding stream winds among the pastures. After crossing it, you walk up to Rulhe lake, set on a balcony.

DAY 4: walk around RULHE LAKE
Rest by the lake, or nice walk to Pradet summit, here is a quiet day; if lucky enough, you can happen to watch one of those impressive vulture flight, those wild birds nest in the area. You may as well spend an hour leading you to rulhe refuge, where you can have a nice meal.http://www.rulhe.com

DAY 5: from RULHE LAKE to FONTARGENTE LAKES (2200 m)
You will see the beautiful Aston valleys stretching in front of you. After a short walkdown, you will come up to the top of the valleyand discover the Fontargente Lakes (meaning silver waters) Inclès Pass stands on the border. There, it’s not rare to meet custom-house officers right in the middle of the mountain.

DAY 6: from FONTARGENTE LAKES to SISCARO LAKES (2400m)
You walk down to vall d’Inclès, and following Juclar stream, you reach the twin Siscaro lakes. The first one is in a small grassy valley. The second one, is more gloomy, dominated by a rocky cliff.

DAY 7: from SISCARO LAKES to L’HOSPITALET PRES L’ANDORRE (1500 m)
A steep hill takes you to Port dret, the highest spot you’ll reach. A 750 m difficult walk down, along « Riu de Sant Josep » stream, takes you back to the ariège valley. Crossing la Soulane d’Andoore, a wide sunny pasture, you get to L’Hospitalet Près l’Andorre.

The Path of the Cathars was of XI th at the XVI th, an important economic axis between the County of Foix and Catalonia. Last Cathars into exile, fleeing prison, theft and death, used naturally this way to seek refuge in Catalonia. Following this cross-border route, you go through the same paths and discover the same landscapes that these men and women pursued by the Inquisition.
Arranged jointly by the Ariege and Catalonia, the GR No. 107, marked in red and white colours, connects Foix to the small Spanish town of Berga in a dozen days. The French side who share Foix, provides 8 steps with accommodation (refuge or gite d'etape) to Roquefixade, Montsegur, Comus, the Chioula, Orlu, Mérens, L'Hospitalet-près-l'Andorre and Porta.
After Porta, the road crosses the border to White Porteille located at 2500 m height which marks the boundary between France, Spain and Andorra. The tent becomes necessary, the accommodation is too far .
The Spanish part of the trail passes by Bellver de Cerdanya, Baga, Gisclareny, Gosol, Casanova and Queralt, Berga.

If you want to go all or part of this route, we can prepare a quote, especially for the transport of donkeys. The table below gives you an overview of the cost of transportation, rather important because of passing the two toll tunnels Puymorens and Cadi.
For information on the GR 107 "Bonshommes' Way", you can visit websites dedicated to him:
http://www.chemindesbonshommes.com http://www.sentiers-pyreneens.com