steps

TREK DESCRIPTION

Day 1 : from Prades (1250 m) to Belcaire (1000 m) 4h30

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).

Day 2 : from Belcaire (1000 m) to Comus (1200 m) 4h

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 and you cross the beautiful Pla du Boum. Tel +33(0)4 68 20 33 69 .http://www.gites-comus.com.

Day 3 : from Comus (1200 m) to Refuge du Chioula (1600 m) 5h

You walk through mountain pastures and forests, going to Chioula refuge and its magnificent panorama of the Pyrenean peaks. It is the sportiest day because the course is quite long. In refuge du Chioula, you sleep in shared dormitory. The refuge is very clean and well adapted for families with young children or babies. Refuge du Chioula. +33(0)5 61 64 06 97 www.refugeduchioula.com..

Day 4 : Walk around Refuge du Chioula (1600 m), you can choose the duration

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. You can find blueberries and raspberries

Day 5 : from Refuge du Chioula (1600 m) to Prades (1250 m) 4h

You are on the path GR107 (Bonshommes Path) until the highest point of your hike: Balaguès Pass (1669 m). Scenery is magnificent. You see the Pyrenean chain and you have typical mountain vegetation all around you: gentian, aconite, blueberry... The path GR 107 or Bonshommes path was used by last Cathars who fled to Spain.
You go down slowly until Prades where you finish your tour. It’s time to say good bye to your long eared friend.

Each day, you can hike on a shorter variant that passes at the bottom of the valley. So, if you want to have a quiet day or if the weather is not favorable, you can easily continue your hike to the next accommodation with a short stage.
The times indicated are the time you go on hike, excluding breaks.

accomodations

First night: accomodation at   Belcaire hotel, in familial bedroom..

Second night: accomodation at Comus gite, in familial bedroom.

Third and fourth night: accomodation at Chioula refuge, in small dormitories of 4 to 8 beds.

practical informations

Donkeys

They are used to carry your luggage and  your young kids, under your responsibility.
The kids must be able to sit by themselves (so being over 2,5 years old) and must be looked after to avoid any kind of problem (being ready to fall asleep,…). You have to protect the head of your child with a helmet (riding helmet or bike helmet). If you don’t have, you have to say us because we have.
When there is a child on its back, the donkey has to be hold by an adult with the tether (rope). If your child is very small, you must take with you a special bag to carry the baby on your own back to put him when sleeping.
When the path is steep, you can’t put the child on the back of the donkey. So it’s very important to choose a trek well adapted to the age of your children.

* Their equipement: each donkey wears a halter, a tether, a wooden pack-saddle, with a big bag clipped on each side. It can carry a load of 35 kilos, that is to say the luggage for 2 or 3 walkers. This load must be perfectly balanced (17-18 kg on each side as maximum).
On top of that, only very light stuff (such as mattress) can be added, to avoid weariness or lack of balance.

*Night gestion : A donkey park is already set near accomodations. You have to give it some hay we let nearby and water.

Preparing your hike

You choose your departure day, the best way being arriving the day before, between 15pm and 19 pm. Then you'll get all the instructions concerning your tour, modify it according to your wishes or the characteristics of your group. At that stage, during one or two hours, we will talk about the details of your tour and we trace it on the map. The next morning, you are introduced to your donkey and you are tought how to load it and lead it. Then we share the first loading.

Period

This hike can be done from may to october.

Map

We give you the map 1/25000ème TOP 25 AX LES THERMES n° 2148 ET by IGN.

  Groceries

In Belcaire, you will find all shops (except pharmacy). Then there is no grocery store along the way. You must therefore arrive with the necessary (especially your first picnic). For the following days, accommodations can prepare picnics, if you book them in advance.
For water, plan one or two gourdes per person, which you can fill along the way if necessary.

Your luggages

In High Ariege, the climate is irregular, proper to medium heights : bright sunshine during the day, surprising coolness at night.
Packing:
* Walking boots, and light shoes
* Change clothes, a warm pullover, a sunhat
* Rain clothing (waterproof raincoat)
* Warm coat
* Flask, torch, notepad, pen, lighter, knife, string, medecine (don't forget aspivenin), suncream, sunglasses
* Plastic bags to wap your gear within your rucksack (very efficient in case of rain) and to carry your waste back
* Sheet (only blanquets are provided in refuges)
*  Wherever you walk through a village, you'll find drinkable water. If you want to camp in wilderness you'll get water from the numerous springs. Take chlorine tablets with you.

S.O.S. donkeys service

In case of a problem with one of your donkeys, we freely replace it the same day.

Your dog

Your dog may accompany you during your hike.
After a time of adaptation and mutual observation, it will cohabit with the donkeys.
But note that it does not simplify the organization of your hike. It is sometimes difficult to manage everything at once: the donkey or donkeys, children, luggage, map and follow the right path and ... the dog. Especially since it is sometimes necessary to keep away from the donkey with the dog on a leash.
You  keep your dog on a leash in areas of grazing cattle. Dogs can not sleep in accommodation; In general, a shelter is provided for them outside.
Remember to let us know if you plan to walk with a dog.

Your car and various things

It will stay  on a square, in the small village of Prades (09110). If you have precious stuff (bicycles, computer,...), we can keep it safe at the farm, at Unac

Terms and conditions for hikes with donkeys

prices

Price 2025 per person (from 2 people)

Villages and mountains of Pays d'Aillou  is a 5 days trek. If you want to do it in 4 days, you can take off the day 4, around Chioula refuge.

free for children less than 2 years
for 5 to 9 persons :-6%
10 persons and more:-12%

All inclusive formula is a turnkey formula. We take care of the booking from your accommodation.
This tariff includes:
- half-board: including the donkey, its pack-saddle and bags, transportation of the donkey, accomodation and maps.
You must add your personnal expenditure and showers in Chioula refuge. Add also costs of accommodation and meals out of the hike (the day before your departure and return from the hike)
- full board: same thing with a picnic basket for each lunch from the second day to last day of hiking (first day picnic not included)

technical leaflet

upload all inclusive trek leaflet "Villages and mountains of Pays d'Aillou" format pdf

contact

Some questions?
Phone us 33 (0)6 85 34 20 22
To help you choose the hike-donkey that suits you, nothing better than a small conversation!
You can also fill out the form below. We will reply as soon as possible.

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Type of trek chosen

Choose your formula

- all inclusive trek: we manage the accommodation reservations.
Prices includeone 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 for full board) picnic day 1 not included
Showers in Chioula and En Beys refuge are not included.

- simple rent donkey-trek: You manage your own accommodation reservations.
Prices include only the donkey, its pack-saddle and bags.
Accomodation and maps will be priced separately

All inclusive treks

2-3 days: All inclusive-Donkey trek Stroll at the farm

2-3 days: All inclusive--Donkey trek Around Montaillou

2-3 days: All inclusive--Donkey trek Let's climb to Chioula!

2-3 days: All inclusive--Donkey trek Orlu Reserve d'Orlu and En Beys lake

3 days: All inclusive--Donkey trek and tree climbing

4-5 days: All inclusive- Donkey trek Villages and mountains of Pays d'Aillou

4-5 days: All inclusive-Donkey trek Ax valleys discovery

4-5 days: All inclusive--Donkey trek Chioula loop

6-7 days: All inclusive-Donkey trek Belvederes of Pays d'Aillou

6-7 days: inclusive-Donkey trek Ax valleys tour

6-7 days: All inclusive--Donkey trek great Chioula loop

Simple rent treks

2-3 days: Simple rent-Donkey trek Stroll on Corniche

2-3 days: Simple rent-Donkey trek Around Montaillou

2-3 days: Simple rent-Donkey trek Let's climb to Chioula!

2-3 days: Simple rent-Donkey trek Orlu Reserve d'Orlu and En Beys lake

2-3 days: Simple rent-Donkey trek Appy pond

4-5 days: Simple rent-Donkey trek Villages and mountains of Pays d'Aillou

4-5 days: Simple rent-Donkey trek Ax valleys discovery

4-5 days: Simple rent-Donkey trek Chioula loop

6-7 days: Simple rent-Donkey trek Belvederes of Pays d'Aillou

6-7 days:Simple rent-Donkey trek Ax valleys tour

7-8 days:Simple rent-Donkey trek Crossing High Ariege Range

6-7 days:Simple rent-Donkey trek great Chioula loop

6-7 days:Simple rent-Donkey trek Tabe's tour

7 days or more: Simple rent-Donkey trek Bonshommes' Way

Number of days of hiring (use your fingers to count !)

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Adults*

Kids from 4 to 11 years included*

Kids from 2 to 3 years included*

Babies less than 2 years old*

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