PYRÉNÉES ARIÈGEOISES

THE REGION OF COUSERANS, PYRÉNÉES ARIÈGEOISES, OCCITANIE, FRANCE

In a few words...

Couserans is located in the French Pyrenees , more precisely in the western part of Ariège «département ». This region has one of the lowest density of inhabitants in western Europe.
For the last decade it has been one of the destination in France, for the people in search for alternatives ways of leaving among the mountains. The only urban area in this region are the towns called Saint-Girons and Saint-Lizier.
Our accommodation is situated in lower part of of the « Parc Naturel Régional des Pyrénées Ariègeoises », the area environmentally protected. We will stay in the hamlet with only two old charming stone houses and a barn. This remote property is reachable by a private forest track, at 800 meters altitude, offering superb panoramic views of the valley and surrounding mountains. The nearest small villages are Alos and Moulis. We are 20km away from Saint-Girons, 53km from Foix and and 115km from Toulouse. From the nearby town called Castillon de Couserans, we will explore the area. Driving through different valleys (Bethmale, Biros, Bellongue etc.) up into the mountains we will discover hidden wonders of nature of Couserans. The highest summits of this part of the Pyrenees are Pic de Mauberme 2882m and Mont Valier 2838m.
The main house is intended for you. It offers 5 bedrooms , spacious kitchen, dining and living room. Your meals can be also served in the garden. There is an open fire place in the living room too. There are two big bathrooms and toilets to your disposal.
Below you will find a selection of walks I have chosen for you. We can discuss together about your preferences and choose the most adequate trails. Already after the first walk we will learn more about our capacity, rhythm etc. We will also watch closely the weather forecast as it might verify our plans too. Anyway the idea is to enjoy a hike every morning and slow down and relax in the afternoon. Apart of two walks the rest of them are circular routes. Some of them might seems to be short distance. But we have to take to our account the difference of elevation and above all we are not in a hurry. We can take our time, and enjoy the landscape.

Program

  • WALK 1

    Vallée de Bellongue – ‘Les villages de Bellongue’ ( distance 7km, time 3h, elevation 300m, highest point 886m)

  • WALK 2

    Vallée de Bellongue – ‘Les granges de l’Estremailles’ ( 8km, 4h, 400m, 143Om)

  • WALK 3

    Vallée de Bellongue – ‘Vers Saint-Jacques de Compostelle’ ( 9km, 4h, 35Om, 908m)

  • WALK 4

    Col de Portet d’Aspet – ‘Pic de Paloumere’ ( 9km, 5h, 550m, 1608m)

  • WALK 5

    Vale de Lez – ‘La chapelle Saint-Michel’ ( 6km, 2h, 200m, 694m)

  • WALK 6

    Vallée de Balague – ‘Les granges de Balague’ ( 7km, 3h, 400m, 1080m)

  • WALK 7

    Vallée de Bethmale – ‘Lac de Bethmale, Cirque de Campulls et L’etang d’Ayes’(9km, 4h, 300m, 1694m)

  • WALK 8

    Vallée de Biros – ‘Le cirque de la Plagne’ ( 5km, 2h, 250m, 1197m)

  • WALK 9

    Alos – ‘Le Pic de la Quere’ ( 12km, 5h, 500m, 1135m)

Informations

As we will dedicate most of our time to walking, I am planning only a couple of visits. On Sunday morning we can enjoy a pretty special atmosphere of artisanal outdoor market in Saint-Girons. I would like if you could also discover the architecture of Saint-Lizier, its cathedral, cloister, gardens and 17th century pharmacie, and eventually some more surprises.

Dates

From 5th till 15th of June 2023. 11 days, 10 nights.
From 18th till 26th of September 2023. 9 days, 8 nights.

Payment

Booking this trip I would ask you to transfer an account payment of 10% of the price, which is an amount of 170 euros. With this money I will prepay our accommodation and this deposit is non-refundable. The remaining 90% (1530 euros) should be transferred within one month before the trip. Thank you.

Food

Food will be provided with fresh and local products.
Please let us know about eventual diet or allergy.

Price

1700 € per person.
Price includes my guiding and driving, accommodation for 7 nights ( each couple or single person has its own room), 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches (most of them picnic, 7 dinners), costs of transport, entrance ticket in Saint-Lizier.
Price does not include your personal insurance and beverages.
Please feel free to ask if you need any further information.