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May 3 - 10 £100 discount
Ariège Pyrenees
Mountain walks and visit to Cathar castle of Montségur
Gîte accommodation. Places available for two couples (or four people who don’t mind sharing rooms). For more information on accommodation visit gîte Le Bourdassou at www.lebourdassou.com
Pickup Toulouse or Carcassonne airports possible on request.
Programme:
Day 1 Saturday 3 May
Afternoon walk from the gite down to Seix through forest with views of main range from ridge. Coffee in Seix?.
A gentle walk, about 6km, mostly downhill!
Alternatively you may wish to spend some time in Toulouse, and I can pick you up later in the day. Approximate journey time is two hours.
Day 2 Sunday 4 May
We do a section of the “Chemin de la Liberte”, one of the routes used to smuggle people out of France into Spain during the Second World War. We will either start at Alos and walk to Aunac via the Col de L’Artigue, or we will walk up to the Col de Core from Aunac. For more information take a look at http://www.conscript-heroes.com/escapelines/FreedomTrails.htm and click on anything marked “Chemin”
Possibly 15km and 6hrs walking but nothing very rough.
Day 3 Monday 5 May
We drive to Aulus les Bains, then walk up to the Cascade de l’Ars. We continue up past the top of the waterfall to the Etang de Guzet then back down to the road. A very scenic walk in the heart of the old bear-trainer country. In the C19th the Couserans was renowned for its bear trainers. Poor mountain men would catch a young bear (often killing the mother) and train it to “dance” and do tricks. They would travel all over Europe and America with them. Some made their fortunes and returned to Ariège.
900m of ascent and 5hrs walking. Mix of easy track and rough path.
Day 4 Tuesday 6 May
We drive to the nearby ski station of Guzet, and continue up above it to an open col (Escots). Here we park and walk to the spectacularly situated lake of Etang de l’Aube, and ascend the Pic de Seron. Descending on the other side into the remote valley of Turguilla we pass the tiny Turguilla refuge. Using a short section of steel ladder we regain tracks which lead back to Escots. Possibility of seeing bearded vultures (lammergeiers) (I have seen one here!).
750m of ascent, 6hrs walking, mix of easy trails but mostly steep rough ground.
Day 5 Wednesday 7 May
We drive to the Etang de Lers above the little town of Massat. From there we drive a little further to the Port de Lers. Here we walk past a lake to the summit of the Trois Seigneurs. Spectacular countryside, great views and lots of mountain flowers.
700m of ascent, 7 hrs walking. On paths, varying from clearly marked to almost non-existant! Some steepish stuff and a little bit of exposure right at the top, but nothing too scary!
Day 6 Thursday 8 May
We take a day off from big mountains to drive east to Montsegur. Here there is a castle spectacularly situated on a hilltop where the Cathar heretics made their last major stand in March 1244. All who would not recant were burnt. There is a museum at the foot of the hill. Possibility of visiting the Neolithic cave paintings at Niaux if you wish.
Day 7 Friday 9 May
We drive up above Aulus, to Coumebière, almost to the Col d’Agnes. We walk up to the Port de Saleix then drop down to the Refuge de Bassies (unfortunately not open till the end of May). From here we climb the valley, cross a little footbridge, pass mountain lakes and gain the crest of the range to the Pic Rouge de Bassies (2676m). Descending via the long crest to the north we return to the Port de Saleix and so back to Coumebière. Magnificent views, and we may be lucky with the flowers.
1300m of ascent, 9 hrs walking. A long tough day but one that will make a big impression!
Day 8 Saturday 10 May
Depart after breakfast.
Notes:
All nights are spent in the gite. This is too early in the season for the huts in the area to be open. There are “winter rooms” where people can get shelter but there are no facilities available until the end of the month.
I have not included any major summits such as Montcalm, or Mont Valier. This is because there is a good chance the routes would still be snow covered
- I may change the order of the days depending on the weather. There is also always the possibility we will have to cut short days if bad weather moves in. If poor weather is forecast I will plan lower level walks or organise trips to places of interest. Please note admission charges are not included.
- I am perfectly prepared to change the itinerary to suit your wishes, within reason. For example we could shorten a day so we could spend time searching out and identifying the flowers, or look for Pyrenean desmans!
- Please remember your holiday insurance must cover rescue costs.
- Please read the general terms and conditions before booking.
- Note that your fee does not include insurance or entry fees to sites e.g. Montségur, or refreshments.
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