Walking grade two --

 
This self guided tour is based at Castillon en Couserans a village at the center of three beautiful valleys in an area that offers a multitude of walks. We have put together a varied and exciting programme that combine the comforts of a village guest house set in the perfect location for a walking holiday. Our program will enable you to discover the beauty and wildness of the Couserans. It is a programme that gives you 5 days on your own, with us providing maps, notes, and advice. We also provide a taxi service to and from the walks where needed. Our notes are written by professional mountain leaders who know the area extremely well, so we take you right to the heart of the best walks in our region. It is also possible to hire a guide for a day should you wish to do something more technical or adventurous. Walkers can choose their own dates.




Price : 570 € per person in a double room. Single supplement : 120 € per person

The price includes: full board in a bed and breakfast (double room) - overnight, breakfast, picnic lunch, evening meal, transfers in a minibus, the loan of a map and notes for the 5 days of unguided walking.
Price does not include: beverages and personal expenses or activities not mentioned. Fee for a qualified mountain leader if you use his services.

Accommodation: in Castillon en Couserans – Ariege.
Bed and Breakfast « Le Clos Enchanté » 12 kms southwest of Saint Girons on the main street of the village. "Despite an austere façade – as it is described in one guide – once inside you will be pleasantly surprised to discover an early 19th century house that has been tastefully restored.
Our house can accommodate up to 12 people. We have several bedrooms with 2, 3 or 4 beds..


 PROGRAM

Day 1: Arrival day - Settle into rooms and take a tour of the house. At 3:00pm, around a pot of tea, we will tell you about the area and take you through the notes. From 4:00 to 6:30 pm you can take a little walk around the village.
When you return to « Le Clos Enchanté », an aperitif will be served in the garden followed by dinner in the garden.

Day 2: From Castillon to the Bethmale valley - 5 hours walking with 600 meters ascent. A lovely introductory walk to the area. You follow ancient tracks through beech & oak forest up to the largest village in the valley of Bethmale. You can visit a clog maker. At the end of the walk there is a wonderful place to taste traditional pancakes and home made wild fruit sorbets.

Day 3: The valley of Biros – La Soulan du Biros. 5 hours or 6 hours walking with 500 meters ascent or 800 meters ascent. This is one of our favourite walks that begins in the village of Balacet and ascends to the Pic de L’Arraing that dominates much of the region of Castillon. The views looking south towards the high mountains are breathtaking. On this walk you visit an abandoned marble quarry, a mountain hut and a cave. The terrain is varied as you walk through pastureland, forest and on open moor land.

Day 4: The valley of Balagué - 4 hours walking with 500 meters of ascent.This is  a lovely walk in the foothills of the Castillonais that goes through four typical Pyrenean villages, visits a cave, the famous chapel of Tramesagues with it’s medieval frescoes, farm land and pasture, and all this with the magnificent backdrop of the Mont Valier mountains.

Days 5: The valley of the Izard & the L’etang d’Araing – 3.5 hrs or 5hrs 30minutes walking time with 500m or 1100m ascent. A beautiful walk up the valley de L’Izard. An easy path through thick beech forest, with gushing streams plenty of wildlife, great views, and the chance to visit the chapelle de L’Izard.

Day 6: The pic of  Cornudère - 6 hours with 700 meters ascent.This is a circular walk that takes you up to the pic of Cornudère. The views are magnificent. You will see vultures and golden eagles, and as far north as St.Gaudens. The path is varied as you ascend through beech forest and then arrive on the top to walk along a grassy ridge to a sheepfold where you can have a panoramic picnic lunch.

Day 7: departure day; rooms must be vacated by 1 pm.

 

Departure dates are not given as it is open to your choice.

See some pictures

book the french unguided walks