steps

DESCRIPTIF DE L'ITINERAIRE

Bonshommes'way goes from Foix to the small Spanish town of Berga in a dozen days.

We advise against a departure from Foix, because, with donkeys it is not recommended to start the hike in urban areas!

It is better to begin at Roquefixade, quiet little village which corresponds to day 2 on the roadmap of the circuit.

Similarly, at the end of Bonshommes'way, we recommend stopping the hike to Baga rather than Berga which is a "real" city.

For a large part of the year, the Porteille Blanche, located at an altitude of 2500 m, can not be crossed by donkeys, but there is an alternative lower route

accomodations

  For that trek, tent is compulsory if you choose to pass by "la Porteille blanche-Portella blanca" (2500m) on day 9.

 

The French side who share Foix, provides 8 steps with accommodation (refuge or gite d'etape) to Roquefixade, Montsegur, Comus, the Chioula, Orlu, Mérens, L'Hospitalet-près-l'Andorre and Porta.
After Porta, to pass  Porteille Blanche,  tent is compulsory
see websites www.chemindesbonshommes.com   www.sentiers-pyreneens.com

practical informations

Donkeys

They are used to carry your luggage. For that trek, childre can ride donkeys, only on the low part, during around 1 hour. Kids ride donkeys under your responsability.
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 the evening, donkeys grazes in the mountain. In case of accomodation, a donkey park is sometimes already set nearly.
  We give you  a hike park (very light glass fiber sticks, a fence wire and a mobile battery as big as a torch). Like this, if needed, you build a fence near your tents  and the donkey eat grass in this fence during the night.

Preparing your trekking

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 trek can be done from june to october (july 15th to september 15th if passage by la Porteille Blanche)

Map

You have to buy the roadbook « Sur les traces des Cathares, Le Chemin des Bonshommes » before you come.

Accomodations

In formula "simple rent" you have to reserve yourself accomodations.

Groceries

See roabook.
For water, you need a gourd per person, which you can fill along the way if necessary

Your luggages

In Pyrenean mountains, 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 as soon as possible.

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 the church square, at Unac near from our farm.By bringing back the donkeys, our vehicle can bring back to Unac, 1 or 2 people. If you have precious stuff (bicycles, computer,...), we can keep it safe at home.

Terms and conditions for treks with donkeys

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

Reductions
family and group
- donkey 2:-10%
- donkey 3 and more:-15%

If you want to go all or part of this route, we can prepare a quote, especially for the transport of donkeys. The table below gives you an overview of the cost of transportation, rather important because of passing the two toll tunnels Puymorens and Cadi.

upload technical leaflet Bonshommes' way 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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Ask for a quote

Put an option

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 !)

Beginning of the trek*

End of the trek*

Your family or group

Specify number of people and class of kids' age

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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