your hike
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.
Download the technical leaflet
See this hike in "all inclusive" formula
steps
TRIP DESCRIPTION
DAY 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
DAY 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).
DAY 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
Day2 and day 3, 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
In formula "simple rent" you have to reserve yourself the accomodations.
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. You have to pay 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.
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
Accomodations
In formula "simple rent" you have to reserve yourself the accomodations.
Groceries
There is no grocery along the way. You must therefore arrive with the necessary (especially your first picnic). For the following day (s), accommodations can prepare picnics if you book them in advance.
For water, you need a gourd 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.
In High Ariege, the climate is irregular, proper to medium heights : bright sunshine during the day, surprising coolness at night.
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
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 €
Transportation of the donkeys to Prades: 38 €
(from 1 à 5 donkeys)
Reductions family and group
- donkey 2 :-10%
- donkey 3 and more :-15%.
technical leaflet
Departure and arrival at Prades (09110)
