your trek
The departure is from the farm to Unac. After a good shaded climb, you reach the magnificent site of Chioula. The next day, if the weather is favorable, you reach Camurac via the ridges, in an open landscape. After a night in Camurac, you go to Belcaire, alternating between forest and summer pastures. Day 4, you hike around Belcaire.
The next day, you will discover forest and nature between Belcaire and Comus. You can even enjoy a panorama of the castle of Montségur, the Mecca of Catharism. You stay at Comus gite. Then you will discover the mountain pastures of Prades, during a fairly long stage (5h), but without technical difficulty. You reach the Chioula refuge. On the last day, you follow the crests of Chioula which take you down to the level of the villages: Tignac then Unac.
The stages of the first and the last day are sporty because of a significant drop (900m). and children cannot ride the donkey in the steepest parts. This tour is therefore recommended for children aged 7 and over.
upload trek leaflet
steps
TREK DESCRIPTION
The steps day by day
Day 1 : from Unac (700 m) to Refuge du 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 sleep in Chioula refuge. +33(0)5 61 64 06 97 www.refugeduchioula.com.
You leave the bottom of the valley where Unac is sheltered. Following a small past in the forest, you reach the first heights. It's hard to climb, but it's so fine to discover a wonderful panorama of the Pyrenean range!
Day 2 : from Refuge du Chioula (1600 m) to Camurac (1200 m) 4h 
If good weather, you hike in the summer pastures of Chioula, reach the Col de Balaguès and cross the ridges of Camurac in an open landscape. This stage leads you in Aude, to the village of Camurac. If the weather does not allow a hike in crest, you join Camurac by the valley. Gîte La Marmite 33 (0)4 68 20 73 31 www.gites-camurac.fr. Grocery in Camurac open in the morning and late afternoon.
Day 3 : from Camurac (1200 m) to Belcaire (1000 m) 3h
You follow a forest trail first with mountain pastures all around you then in forest. You go to Belcaire, in the heart of the Plateau de Sault.
The accommodation is a familial hotel where you meet Xavier and Sandrine.
Only day with possible providing.
Day 4 :A day at Belcaire or walk around Belcaire (1000 m), you can choose the duration
Belcaire Pond is reserved each afternoon for swimming and it always enjoys walkers. You will spend a pleasant day there: bathing and walking to discover the landscape around the village.
You can choose to hike all the day. You enjoy the beautiful view between Belcaire and Roquefeuil. You come back by an other path.
Day 5 :from Belcaire (1000 m) to Comus (1200 m) 4h
You go up towards the vast summer pastures of Pla du Boum and continue through the forest. You pass the viewpoint overlooking the castle of Montségur and the Gorges de la Frau. Variation possible via the Languerail plateau (add one hour). You arrive at Comus. No grocery
Day 6 : from Comus (1200 m) to Refuge du Chioula (1600 m) 5h
You reach, through mountain pastures and forests, Chioula refuge and its magnificent panorama of the Pyrenean ridges. Accommodation is in small comfortable dormitories. Refuge du Chioula. 33(0)5 61 64 06 97 www.refugeduchioula.com. No grocery store
Day 7 : from Refuge du Chioula (1600 m) to Unac (700 m) 4h
Wonderfull prospect during the whole day. You follow the path on the top of this smooth mountain and go back to Unac.
The times indicated are the time you go on hike, excluding breaks.
accomodations
Accomodationis possible each evening, in gite d'étape (in Comus and Camurac) and in the refuge of Chioula, in small dormitories from 4 to 6 beds. A donkey park is set up near each of them. In Chioula refuge, showers are not included in half-board.
In formula "simple rent" you have to reserve yourself the accomodations.
Gîte d’étape of Camurac 04 68 20 73 31 www.gites-camurac.fr Gîte d’étape of Comus 33 (0)4 68 20 33 69 www.gites-comus.com Chioula refuge 33 (0)5 61 64 06 97 www.refugeduchioula.com -
You want to camp near accommodation :At Comus : The gîte d’étape Le silence du Midi has a camping ground. You can go in the common area where you can use an equipped kitchen.
www.lesilencedumidi.com +33(0)4.68.20.36.26.
At refuge du Chioula : you can camp near the refuge and you have to pay something. You can use toilets and can enjoy of the common area (but you can’t cook because there isn’t common kitchen) if it’s not full.
www.refugeduchioula.com +33(0)5.61.64.06.97.
You want to camp on the wilderness:When we meet the day before your trek, we explain you where you can camp on the wilderness, near springs.However, wilderness camping is not always possible because, near Comus and Camurac, the springs do not always flow.
Campfires are prohibited during the summer season.
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
prices
Chioula great loop is a 7 days trek. If you want to do it in 6 days, you can take off the day 4 around Belcaire.
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 €
Reductions family and group
- donkey 2 :-10%
- donkey 3 and more :-15%.
Departure and arrival at Unac
