Country:
District:
Park in the car park on the edge of the D613, about 100 metres from the Col de Marmare.
YellowPR® markings
(S/E) Return to the road and immediately turn left, south-east, onto a wide stony track. You will come to a fork marked by a signpost.
(1) Continue left towards Prades and cross the long, flat meadow facing north-east until you reach the next signpost.
(2) Turn right onto a grassy path that leads back, and reach a four-way intersection located directly below a power line.
No markings
Turn left, ignoring the signpost that directs you to the right. The wide path, which can be very muddy depending on the season, approaches the Rieufred stream and runs alongside it for a few metres.
(3) Very tricky junction: at the foot of a meadow on the right, veer left to ford the stream and find a faint trail opposite. It is essential not to miss this passage: if you come across a metal barrier a little further on, it means you have gone too far. Turn back to find it.
After a few hundred metres, the trail splits into several paths. Keep going in the same direction, choosing the path that is most suitable given the often muddy terrain. This will take you to a track coming from Prades.
(4) Turn right onto this track, which becomes grassy and climbs gently to a crossroads where there is a signpost. Continue straight on to the nearby Col de Pichaca.
Markings:GR® White and Red +PR® Yellow
(5) Continue straight ahead for about 30 metres, then turn right, following the double markings.
Join the path from Montaillou, turn right and begin the long climb up the valley where the Ruisseau de Balaguès stream flows.
(6) Cross a track and continue straight ahead on the path, which starts off very steeply. Further up, go through a metal gate, turn right onto the path and you will reach a hollow where a stream flows, often making the passage extremely muddy and impassable.
Cross the obstacle by making a short detour to the left, then return to the original path, which quickly leads to a fork where you must turn left. Climb up the eastern side of Sarrat d'Artuzet to reach the Col de Balaguès.
White and redGR® markings
(7) Enjoy the magnificent view of the Haute Ariège, then turn right, heading south-west. After heading west, the path makes a sharp left turn to head south and reach the Col des Canons, where five paths intersect.
(8) Follow the double track that starts on the right and continues south-west. Walk along the almost flat path to reach Col de Rieufred, a wide gap at the crossroads of several tracks where herds are often present.
(9) Continue straight ahead in the same direction. The path gives way to a grassy track that winds through the forest, making several turns. You will reach Col de Pierre Blanche.
No markings
(10) Turn right onto the Route Forestière de Drazet. Reach its terminus, where there is a turning area and the start of two paths.
(11) Take the left path and continue to the junction with the Refuge du Chioula path, directly below a power line.
YellowPR® markings
(12) Turn right and begin the descent. Ignore a wide grassy path on the right and continue to the D613.
(13) Cross the road carefully and take the path opposite, which quickly leads to the Col de Marmare. Cross the D613 again at the entrance to the bend (good visibility) and continue to the right until you reach the car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Easy 
Association / Club / Walk leader
