your hike
A dream holiday near a pond in the middle of the mountain. No possibility of accommodation, few people, the wild mountain ....
Leaving the village of Appy, you climb on the sunny side of the Tabe massif to the small Appy lake nestled between the mountains where you set up your camp.
The return is by the same route.
Progression by pouring south requires you to start early in the morning to avoid the heat.
On this itinerary, it is not possible to put the children on the back of the donkey.
Upload technical leaflet
steps
TRIP DESCRIPTION
DAY 1: from APPY (950 m) to APPY POND(1734 m) - 4 hours
The hike 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.
DAY 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.
DAY 3: DAY 3: from 'APPY POND (1734 m) to APPY (1000m) - 3 hours
You go down to Appy by the same way
The times indicated are the time you go on hike, excluding breaks.
accomodations
There is no accommodation on this tour. Only bivouac is possible. Near the lake you will find a source for your water supply.
Campfires are forbidden because of risks of fire.
practical informations
Donkeys
They are used to carry your luggage and occasionally your young kids, under your responsability, and along certain paths within your tour.
The kids must be able to sit by themselves (so being over 2 years old) and must be looked after to avoid any kind of problem (being ready to fall asleep,...)
When there is a child on its back, the donkey has to be hold by an adult with the tether. For security, it's better to protect child's head with a ridehat or a mountain bike helmet. 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.
* Their équipment : 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). On top of that, only light stuff (such as matress) can be added, to avoid weariness or lack of balance.
* Food and nights of the donkey : In case of accomodation, a donkey park is already set nearly.
If you camp in the wilderness, you'll be provided with a hike park (very light glass fiber sticks, a fence wire and a mobile battery as big as a torch).Like this, you build a fence near your tents and the donkey eat grass in this fence during the night.
Preparing your hikeking
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
map IGN Ax-les-Thermes 2148 ET 1/25000
Groceries
There is no grocery along the way. You must therefore arrive with the necessary.
For water, you need 2 bottles 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
* Stove and cooking equipment, tent, sleeping bag (if camping)
* Sheet (only blanquets are provided in refuges)
* Compas and altimeter( for higher mountain tours) Wherever you walk through a village, you'll find drinkable water. If you only walk in the mountains, you'll get water from the numerous springs. Take chlorine tablets with you.Your luggages
For certain tours, food is provided every 2 or 3 days. Others happen in very wild areas and you often are several hour walk from the first inhabited spots. Think about this while packing.
S.O.S. donkeys service
In case of a problem with one of your donkeys, we freely replace it the same day. l pack animals carrying goods up the mountain Your luggage or material can be carried up in a nice place. From here, you'll go discovering the surrounding mountains. Ask for an estimate
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 parking, in the village of Appy.
If you have precious stuff (bicycles, computer,...), we can keep it safe at the farm, atUnac
prices
Price of simple rent for 1 donkey 2024
including only the donkey, its pack-saddle and bags.
Accomodation and maps will be priced separately
2 days : 130 €
3 days : 193 €
Reductions
family and group
- second donkey:-10%
- third donkey:-15%.
Departure and arrival at Appy
