Tabe' tour
Simple donkey- rent
7 days, possible in 5 or 6 days
From july to october
Altitude from 700 to 1870 mm
Departure and arrival at Unac
Loop hike to discover the Tabe’s Massif, dominated by the Pic Saint Barthelemy and located between the Ariège valley and Montsegur. You see very open landscapes and breathtaking views of the Pyrenees and Ariege Valley.
votre rando
The first part takes place in mountain, between 700 and 1700 m on marked trails through forests and mountain pastures.
You hike close to the Chioula refuge and the famous village of Montaillou. It was a Cathar stronghold.
On the fourth day after passing the crest, you access the massif of Tabe. You cross on its southern flank until Appy pond nestled in his circus.
The terrain is very rough that's why we do not accept young children on this circuit. It is better to have already hiked with a donkey to pass more easily the difficult passages. Trails are not always marked with paint and sometimes not visible, so you have to be able to find your way in the mountains. Finally, note that in case of fog the only solution is ...waiting
steps
TRIP DESCRIPTION
day 1 : from Unac (700 m) to Chioula (1600 m) 5h
You leave the bottom of the valley where Unac is sheltered to reach the first heights and discover a wonderful panorama of the Pyrenean range.
You can go camping in the wild or camp near the refuge.
Accomodation: Chioula refuge tel.+33(0)5 61 64 06 97 http://www.refugeduchioula.com/
No provisions available. .
day 2 : from Chioula (1600m) to Les Cols (1350 m) 4h
You follow the GR 107 (Path of the Cathars) that takes you at the Col de Balaguès and at the village of Montaillou dominated by small remnants of his castle.
Cross the Country of Aillou, Tea at 1200 m above sea level which has just 4 villages. You join the Aude village of Camurac, above which you go camping at Les Cols. You can also sleep in the gîte La Marmitte Camurac.
Accommodation and meals. Tel +33(0)4 68 20 73 31 http://www.gites-camurac.com/ No provisions available.
day 3 : from Les Cols to Fontaine d’Andouze (1600m), 5h
You reach the village of Comus.
You cross forests and large mountain pastures.
You continue your walk until Andouze Fount where you establish your camp.
day 4 : from Fontaine d’Andouze to Pas du Gai (1700m) 4h
You start the high mountain part without villages or accommodation.
You reach the peaks by non-marked trails. The landscape is very open and you get a spectacular view over Ariege valley. You bypass the talc quarry and you go camping in Gai Pas, near the stream.
day 5 : from Pas du Gai (1700m) to Appy Pond (1730m) 4h
You walk on the southern flank of the massif. Landscape is beautiful. You have a superb view of the Pyrenees range. You cross the mountain pastures and you pass near pastoral huts. Maybe you'll have the chance to observe isard, mountain sheep and marmots. You plant your tent near Appy lake.
day 6 : Walk around Appy Pond (1730 m and more),you can choose the duration
Beyond Appy pond, the paths are not suitable for donkeys. So you'll leave it 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".
day 7 : from Appy Pond (1730m) to Unac(700m) 5h
It's the last day of hiking.
You quit the heights to reach the villages.
You go down until Unac admiring the Romanesque churches of Axiat and Vernaux.
The times indicated are the time you go on hike, excluding breaks..
accomodations
In formula "simple rent" you have to reserve yourself the accomodations.
For that trek, tent is compulsory. Day 1: bivouac or camping near Chioula refuge (participation requested)
Day 2: bivouac close to a spring or camping near Camurac gite
Days 3, 4, 5 and 6: bivouac
The day before your departure, during our interview, we indicate on the map, the places suitable for wild camping, near a spring.
Campfires are prohibited during the summer season because of risk of fire.
For evenings 1 and 2,accommodation is possible.
Day 1: Accommodation and meals available at Chioula refuge tel. 33 (0) 5 61 64 06 97 www.refugeduchioula.com
Day 2: Accommodation and meals possible at the lodge tel 33 (0)4 68 20 73 31 www.gites-camurac.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 case of accomodation, a donkey park is already set nearly.
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.
There is a night-park for the donkey near En Beys refuge. But you have to let it graze out of the park during 3 or 4 hours each day.
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
Possible walk from July to September.
In case of bad weather forecast, you’d better cancel this type of trip, as you might be stuck in the same spot, because of a heavy mist.
Map
Map 1/25000 TOP 25 référence AX LES THERMES 2148 ETby Institut Géographique National is compulsory.
Accomodations
This hike is planned without accommodation. You must therefore be equipped with a tent. However, you have the opportunity to sleep in accommodation on the first two steps. You will find pastoral refuges on your way. They are sometimes open and accessible to everybody but of course we can not guarantee that they will be free when you arrive!
If you want to sleep in accommodations, you have to book yourselves. We advise against booking beforehand: it will be enough to do it when we have decided together the details of the hike, the day before your departure.
Groceries
There is only a small grocery in Camurac (day 2).You must therefore carry all the necessary food for your trek .
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)
* Compass and height mesure may be useful in case of nasty weather.
* 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 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. If you have precious stuff (bicycles, computer,...), we can keep it safe at home.
Nos conditions générales pour la randonnée avec des ânes
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
7 days : 399 €
6 days : 355 €
5 days : 305 €
Reductions family and group
- donkey 2:-10%
- donkey 3 and more:-15%.
