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2-3 days treks
Tariff for simple rent of an donkey 2012
including only the donkey, its pack-saddle and bags.
Accomodation and maps will be priced separately

2 days: 92 €
3 days: 137 €

reduction for family and group
- second donkey:-10%
- third donkey:-15%.

transportation of the donkeys:
- Arround Montaillou:
54 €
- Chioula Plateau , Appy Pond, Orlu Reserve : 0 €

Global price with board
including one donkey for 2 or 3 persons, its pack-saddle and bags, transportation of the donkey and maps, and for each person: dinner, night and breakfast (+ picnic days 2 and 3 for full board) picnic day 1 not included
Showers in Chioula and En Beys refuge are not included.

or 2 days and a night:
• half board

adult:                      110 €
kids 4 to 10 years:   93 €
kid less 4 years:      78 €
• full board (with picnic)
adult:                      123 €
kids 4 to 10 years: 102 €
kid less 4 years: s:  88 €


for 3 days and 2 nights:
• half board
adult:                      182 €
kids 4 to 10 years: 148 €
kid less 4 years:    126 €
• full board (with picnic)
adult:                      206 €
kids 4 to 10 years: 168 €
kid less 4 years:   146 €

From
* 5 persons:-10%
* 10 persons:-15%
We accept checks,cash and bank transfers.
We are not equipped to receive payments by credit card.

Here are 3 proposals of 2 days treks that you can prolong by a third day.
The 1st day to go up, 2nd for an excursion on the high mountains, 3rd to go down.


chateau de Montaillou
on regarde le paysage
l'âne traverse le ruisseau dans la réserve d'Orlu
un ane à l'étang d'Appy


Around Montaillou

Easy
Throughout the year except snow
Altitude from 1250 to1669 m
Marked trail
Departure and arrived at Prades
Tent or refuge


technical leaflet and map: click to open ! and click one more time to close...
carte de la randonnée avec un ane autour de Montaillou

puce description itinéraire de rando avec ane Maping
1/25 000 TOP 25 map reference AX LES THERMES 2148 ET (INSTITUT GEOGRAPHIQUE NATIONAL edition)
puce description itinéraire de rando avec aneDonkeys transportation 52 Euros
puce description itinéraire de rando avec ane Different stages
For small or tired legs, we can imagine easier tours. Before May, you won't go to the Chioula Plateau, because the weather is still rather cold.
puce description itinéraire de rando avec aneAccomodation
Genuine 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.
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 and we shalll indicate some nice places near springs.

TRIP DESCRIPTION
puce description itinéraire de rando avec aneDAY 1: from PRADES (1250 m) to CHIOULA REFUGE (1600 m - 2 hours
Leaving Prades behind, you walk up to Marmare pass, from where you reach Chioula refuge and its wonderful panorama on the Pyrenean ridges, going through grassy mountains and forests.
If you find that a walk of 2 hours is too short, you can take a longer way through the mountain.
Chioula refuge.accomodation Tel 05 61 64 06 97 http://www.refugeduchioula.com
Possible camping near the refuge. No providing

puce description itinéraire de rando avec aneDAY 2: from CHIOULA REFUGE (1600 m) to COMUS (1200 m) -  4 hours
Following GR107, allong pastoral and forestry paths, you will reach Aude department, towards Comus, a charming village, where you'll meet Anne and her excellent welcome in her gite.
Gîte .Tel 04 68 20 33 69 http://www.gites-comus.com Possible meals in the gîte ;Providing at Camurac (2 km).

puce description itinéraire de rando avec aneDAY 3: from COMUS (1200 m) to PRADES ( 1250 m) -  4 hours
Through the fine forets of Comus and the pastures, you go back to Prades


départ vers Montaillou avec un ane
walking toward Montaillou with a donkey
en randonnée au dessus de Prades
over Prades village
la pause des anes et des randonneurs
donkeys' ans walkers' rest

 

 

 

 

 

 

This trip is ideal for families wanting an easy walk : often on a pastoral paths or forest trail (no big heights), young kids can stay on the donkeys’ back. Short walk every day.
You will cross the grassy mountains and forests of the soft Chioula Plateau with spectacular views on the Pyrenees.
You will come across the tiny Aillou region, a 1200 m high plateau which shelters four villages; among them Montaillou is dominated by the sparse walls of its castle.Prades village is both the starting point and the end of the trip.
Recommanded if yor children are less than 8 years old: you'll feel as if you are in the high mountains without difficulty.

An accomodation is possible at each step of the trip. If camping in the wilderness, you can pitch your tent near the springs we recommend.


Chioula plateau

Rather easy
Throughout the year except snow
Altitude from 700 to1669 m
Marked trail
Departure and arrived at Unac
Tent or Chioula refuge

technical leaflet and map: click to open ! and click one more time to close...
carte de randonnee avec des anes vers les montagnes du Chioula

puce description itinéraire de rando avec ane Maping
1/25 000 TOP 25 map reference AX LES THERMES 2148 ET (INSTITUT GEOGRAPHIQUE NATIONAL edition)
puce description itinéraire de rando avec aneDonkeys transportation 0 Euros
puce description itinéraire de rando avec ane Different stages
Days 1 and 3 can't change.
First day, you must climb, third day, the paths goes down. Second day, you do as you want: short walk or great trek.
puce description itinéraire de rando avec aneAccomodation
You can sleep in Chioula Refuge, in 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.
You can also camp in the neighbourhood of the refuge. You'll have to pay to use sanitary and common room.
Camping in the wild is always possible in that area and we shalll indicate some nice places near springs.

 

TRIP DESCRIPTION
puce description itinéraire de rando avec aneDAY 1: from PRADES (1250 m) to CHIOULA REFUGE (1600 m) - 2 hours
Leaving Prades behind, you walk up to Marmare pass, from where you reach Chioula refuge and its wonderful panorama on the Pyrenean ridges, going through grassy mountains and forests.
If you find that a walk of 2 hours is too short, you can take a longer way through the mountain.
Chioula refuge.accomodation Tel 05 61 64 06 97 http://www.refugeduchioula.com Possible camping near the refuge. No providing

puce description itinéraire de rando avec aneDAY 2: 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.

puce description itinéraire de rando avec aneDAY 3: from CHIOULA REFUGE (1600 m) to UNAC (700 m)-  4 hours
Wonderfull prospect during the whole day. You follow the path on the top of this smooth mountain


arrivée au Chioula
arrival Chioula refuge
vue du Chioula
view from Chioula
Aïe, mes pieds...
Poor feet!...

 

 

 

 

 

 


This excursion leads you from Unac, in the bottom of the Ariege valley , to Chioula plateau , marvellous view-point from where you admire all the Pyrenees.
Quietly installed in those mountains, Chioula refuge is a friendly shelter.
During the second day you'll do a small or great walk, as you like because there is an important network of very easy paths on the plate.

The first and the third day, slopes are rather important and the children can't ride the donkeys. That's why we recommand this trek if your chilcren are more than 7 years old.


Orlu National Reserve and En Beys Lake

Initially very easy then rather difficult
From July 1st to August, 31 and weekends of June and September if good weather
Altitude from 1100 to 2000 m
Marked trail
Departure and arrived at the entrance of the Reserve, at Fanguil Parking
Tent or En Beys refuge
The dogs are prohibited in the reserve.

technical leaflet and map: click to open ! and click one more time to close...
carte de randonnée avec des anes dans la réserve Nationale d'Orlu

puce description itinéraire de rando avec ane Maping
1/25 000 TOP 25 map reference BOURG MADAME map 2249 OT (INSTITUT GEOGRAPHIQUE NATIONAL edition)
puce description itinéraire de rando avec aneDonkeys transportation 0 Euros
puce description itinéraire de rando avec ane Different stages
If you sleep in the refuge, days 1 and 3 can't change.
First day, you must climb, third day, have to go down. Second day, you do as you want: short walk or great trek....or even, farniente near the lake!
If you have a tent, you can cut step and camp near a spring after 3 hours climbing.

puce description itinéraire de rando avec aneAccomodation
You can sleep in En Beys Refuge, in dormitories.
A donkey park is set near by. Booking is compulsory to make sure, otherwise carry a tent in case.
You can also camp in the neighbourhood of the refuge, use the toilets and take drinking water.




TRIP DESCRIPTION
puce description itinéraire de rando avec aneDAY 1 : from FANGUIL PARKING- entrance of the Reserve (1000 m) to EN BEYS LAKE (1954 m)- 5 hours
Fairly long and difficult because of the great ascent. 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 - Possible camping near the refuge - Possible meals but no provisions.

puce description itinéraire de rando avec ane DAY 2 : ORLU RESERVE (2000m ) Trek from the EN BEYS REFUGE
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.

puce description itinéraire de rando avec ane DAY 3 : from EN BEYS LAKE (2000 m) to FANGUIL PARKING (1000 m)-4 hours
Well, you have to walk away from those enchanted areas! You stop walking at the Fanguil Parking and you leave the donkeys in a park.


de belles vacances...
fine holidays...
Mais que peuvent-ils bien regarder comme-ça ?
At what do they look?
l'isard, notre chamois pyrénéen
Yeah, I see: an "isard"!

 

 

 

 

 



Following a stony way, you climb to En Beys lake and refuge , in the middle of Orlu National Reserve (2000m).
Famous for its wild fauna, the Reserve is a natural laboratory to study and observe isards and marmots.
You can make marvellous excursions all around the lake , looking for wild fauna but, there are too much rocks, so the donkeys can't go with you: they wait for you near the refuge, in their little cattle fence.
During the main part of this trek, the path is very steep. So, children can't ride the donkeys.


Appy Pond

Rather difficult
All the year except snow
Altitude from 950m to 1700 m
Marked trail
Departure and arrived at Appy
Tent necessary

technical leaflet and map: click to open ! and click one more time to close...
carte de randonnée avec des ânes à l'étang d'Appy


puce description itinéraire de rando avec ane Maping
1/25 000 TOP 25 map reference AX LES THERMES 2148 ET (INSTITUT GEOGRAPHIQUE NATIONAL edition)
puce description itinéraire de rando avec aneDonkeys transportation 0 Euros
puce description itinéraire de rando avec ane Different stages
Days 1 and 3 can't change.
First day, you must climb, third day, the paths goes down. Second day, you do as you want: short walk or great trek.

puce description itinéraire de rando avec aneAccomodation
No accomodation, no shelter. Only an old hut near the lake and a spring.You must camp.


TRIP DESCRIPTION
puce description itinéraire de rando avec aneDAY 1: from APPY (950 m) to APPY POND(1734 m) - 4 hours
The trek begins in Appy, a small village on the sunny side of the mountain. The path climbs to the little pond. It's hard and hot but such a fine view on the highs mountains!

puce description itinéraire de rando avec aneDAY 2: around APPY POND
Beyond Appy pond, the paths are not suitable for donkeys. So you'll leave them in the park, and wallk for a day or a few hours.
If you are courageous, you can climb on the top of Pic Saint- Barthélémy (2348 m), discovering on one side Ariege Valley and on the other side, Montsegur Castle on his "pog".
Maybe will you'll observe the flock of moufflons which leave there.

puce description itinéraire de rando avec aneDAY 3: from 'APPY POND (1734 m) to APPY (1000m) - 3 hours
You go down to Appy by the same way


Après une dure grimpette, l'âne peut également vous servir d'oreiller!
The donkey can also be used as a pillow!
l'étang d'Appy
Appy pond
randonnée avec un âne à l'étang d'Appy
Trek with a donkey to Appy Lake

 

 

 

 

 



Lake, quiet mountain, wilderness: perfect holidays!
Started from Appy, a small village on the "Route des Corniches", you rise gradually to the pond, by a sunny path discovering a superb sight on the high mountains of Andorra and Ariège. The camping can be established near Appy pond . You'll go back by the same way
During this trek, the path is very steep. So, children can't ride the donkeys.