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Counozouls walks
Callau refuge from the Col de Jau
Enjoy the snow on an easy walk in Catalan country.
El Madrès and Pic del Bernat Salvatge from the Col de Jau
This route, which passes through Madres and Bernard Sauvage, is absolutely beautiful.
The climb to Madres is on a very well-marked path.
The climb up to Bernard Sauvage is easy to see and follow.
The rest of the return route follows a good ridge path to La Glèbe (14). *
Then, to reach (15), you will need the GPX track on the app. *
Callau Refuge Circular Walk
This year, with its exceptional snowfall, it is possible to tackle routes that were difficult to complete in previous years. There seems to be nearly a metre of snow, which is impressive. To climb up to the pass, we took advantage of a very clear road, with no snow or ice. A very beautiful circular route, a little challenging as you sink in a lot, but very interesting. For the less adventurous, a round trip on the flattest part of the route makes for an easy discovery hike (between the Col de Jau at 1,506 metres and the point (2) at 1,529 metres).
Pic Dourmidou
This year, with its exceptional snowfall, allows you to do this route on snowshoes in good conditions. To climb up to the pass, we took advantage of a very clear road, with no snow or ice. A beautiful hike that takes you to the summit of Pic Dourmidou with heavy snowfall, just after 5 to 10 centimetres of fresh snow fell during the night, adding to the thick layer that had fallen in previous days. Beautiful 360° view from the summit before the fog rolled in.
The 5 Senses Trail from the Col de Jau road
A superb, very easy hike that is accessible to everyone and will allow you to appreciate the Mosset communal forest.
Below the Col de Jau, Sentier des 5 Sens
Inspired by a Visorandonneur hike called "Le Sentier des 5 Sens depuis la route du Col de Jau" (The 5 Senses Trail from the Col de Jau road), the idea of doing it on snowshoes was made possible by the exceptional snowfall of the previous days. There was enough good snow to avoid having to climb up and start from the Col de Jau as we did in other winters. Apart from the track leading from the road to the car park, the entire hike took place in virgin snow, allowing us to see animal tracks in all directions. It was a real treat!
Below the Col Jau, towards the old ski lift
Circular hike starting below the Col de Jau at the start of the old ski resort. Except for the track leading from the road to the car park, we were able to complete the entire hike in virgin snow and discover areas marked only by animal tracks in all directions.
Puilaurens Castle
An easy hike, partly through the woods, suitable for families. Most of the hike is on a track. You can visit the castle (check opening times). It is closed in winter.
La Serre des Aiguilles, viewpoint overlooking Puilaurens Castle
This short forest hike will take you to the top of a hill with a magnificent view of Puilaurens Castle. It is an interesting addition to a visit to the castle.
Around Saint-Martin-Lys
A beautiful, shaded hike in the forest of the charming village of Saint-Martin-Lys, at the foot of the River Aude. This route is well worth the detour, with a beautiful viewpoint over the Axat Valley at the start of the trail.
Tour of the villages of Donezan
A fantastic hike in the Donezan, allowing you to discover all of its villages and rich heritage.The main difficulty of this route is its length, covering nearly 20 km.Best enjoyed in autumn, when the flamboyant colours of Donezan offer landscapes of exceptional beauty.
Estanys de Nohèdes
Starting from the village of Nohèdes, the hike climbs to three lakes that are part of the Nohèdes Nature Reserve: Estany del Clot, Gorg Estelat and Gorg Nègre. At the foot of the prestigious Pic de Madrès, this hike takes you through a magnificent environment of streams, lakes, meadows and pine trees where pastoral activity is very much in evidence, as the ever-present and very active "patous" are keen to remind hikers.
Tour of Donezan
This hike is best done at the end of October. If the weather is favourable, the "French Quebec" will dazzle you with its autumn colours. But there's nothing to stop you coming back in spring or summer. There are some beautiful views of the plateau and its villages: Rouze, Mijanes, Artigues, Le Pla, Le Puch, Quérigut and the peaks overlooking Donezan. The first half of the route follows the Vauban trail.
From Puyvalador to the Quérigut Pond
A beautiful border getaway between the Pyrénées Orientales and Ariège that will take you to the wild Étang de Quérigut in Donezan.
The Devil's Belvedere
A family hike accessible to all, in the Aude Pyrenees, leading to the Belvédère du Diable viewpoint, with the chance to discover the unusual Carach chalet along a constantly shaded route.
Saint-Jaume Gorges and Fenouillet Fortresses
When the valley was unsafe, the men would retreat to the heights. The hills surrounding the Boulzane and Agly valleys are dotted with prestigious strongholds (Puylaurens, Fenouillet, Quéribus, etc.). And getting there was no easy task, as the Gorges de Saint-Jaume demonstrate.
From Sansa to the Estanyols Lakes
A family hike accessible to all in the wild Garrotxes valley. From the village of Sansa, on a forest trail on the way there, the route leads to the Estagnols Lakes, where there is also a refuge.
The ruined sheepfolds of La Couillade and Campeaux
In this remote corner, two hours from the nearest village, families dedicated to farming lived just a few decades ago.
Pic de Rossilló and Pla de l'Arca Dolmen
A beautiful hike facing the Canigou massif. It takes you up to Pic del Rosselló, from where you enter a spectacular mineral area. Cross a plateau dotted with rounded rock mounds that look as if they were placed there by giants. A magnificent landscape used for grazing, facing the long Pyrenees massif to the south.
Pic del Rosselló from Molitg-les-Bains
A hike with multiple panoramic views, ideal from October to May: very sunny. The GPX track will be useful on a few sections where the yellow markings are scarce. See §: Practical information
Above Molitg-les-Bains
A quick detour to view the village from above and admire the irrigation system along the canal. Much of the walk is in the shade.
Loop from the Col de Creu to the Estagnols refuge
A lovely loop to do on snowshoes (or on foot in summer) starting from Matemale.
The return via the other trail requires a certain level of fitness if the tracks in the snow have not been made. From the Col de La Sansa, follow the yellow-red markings.
It is also important to follow the description carefully, otherwise you will have to return to the bottom of the road and walk back up to the pass to retrieve your cars.
The Galbe Valley
This route takes you through one of the most beautiful valleys in the Eastern Pyrenees, namely the Galbe Valley and its breathtaking landscapes in Capcir, starting from the typical and authentic village of Fontrabiouse.
Point S/E moved - Route modified on 02/03/2023.
The Belvédère du Diable and the Chalet de Carach from Quillan
A challenging hike if you choose the circular Belvédère du Diable with its high, airy viewpoint! The route takes you through forests, along tracks and paths, with the amazing Chalet de Carach, the villages of Belvianes and Cavirac to discover, and a return trip along the Aude river: magnificent!
Please take note of the comments in the description regarding points (5) and (6).
From Railleu to Sansa
A short, accessible hike connecting two of the five villages located in the wild and little-known Garrotxes valley. Several old mills with information panels can be found along the route.
Circular snowshoe loop above Formiguères
A simple and enjoyable circular snowshoe loop above the village of Formiguères. There was a lot of snow when we did it. The ridge offers magnificent views of the surrounding mountains.
Pic de Mortiers - Les Camporells from Formiguères station
Fairly long route with a significant elevation gain.
It is possible to shorten this hike at two points.
It can be done in two days with an overnight stay at the Camporells refuge.
Torrential streams, huts, lakes, peaks, mountain huts, animals and spectacular landscapes await you.
Camporells protected area: see the regulations in force; dogs must be kept on a lead. Free car parks.
The hike is fully marked. Except for the option that avoids the bends on the track from (10) to (13).
The Refuge de la Lladure
A beautiful getaway in the wild Lladure valley, starting from Lac de l'Olive, located on the road to the Formiguères ski resort.
The Camporells Lakes
The Camporells Lakes are magnificent. This loop is varied and avoids having to make a return trip. The outward journey is little known and you don't come across many people.
Portella d'Orlu
A very pretty, fairly gradual hike with a superb view at La Porteille.
The Barrenc de Picaussel chasm from Belvis
This easy hike takes you through the woods above Belvis, alternating between footpaths and forest roads. There are some beautiful views of the region, as well as the Barrenc de Picaussel chasm. The chasm, located at the edge of the path, is very well secured (barriers and gates prevent accidents).
The Coll del Torn refuge
This route will take you to the Coll del Torn refuge, where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Capcin peaks and some of the Ariège peaks.
Le Pech du Bugarach from Bugarach
This is a relatively short, intense loop route at altitude, climbing Pech du Bugarach from the village via La Fenêtre.
Tour and ascent of Roc Campanyà via the Vauban trails
Roc Campanyà or Campagnia rises to an altitude of 1,134 metres, just above the Mas de Lastourg campsite in the Têt Valley, very close to Villefranche-de-Conflent. Its pointed, aggressive silhouette and the chaos of the Sant-Pere massif on which it is perched suggest that it is inaccessible without climbing equipment... But it's not. With a good pace and a good sense of direction, hikers can reach the summit in just 3 hours.Read the comments carefully before setting off on this route. Don't hesitate to turn back. There is a way out of the route between (10) and (5): return via the Vallon des Horts, a hike described here on visorando. The point (10) on this route corresponds to the point (4) on the other route.
Loop on the steep slopes of Sant-Pere, at the foot of Roc Campanya
This is a good, challenging hike, mostly off the beaten track, along ancient paths in the Sant-Pere massif. At the foot of Roc Campanya/Campagna, you will discover an incredible view of the Têt and Rotja valleys. There is a 180° view with the 2,784-metre-high Canigou in the south.
Tour of the chapels from Ria-Syrach
Hike on good trails that allow you to discover mountain chapels. Beautiful views of the Madres Massif. A visit to Conat is also interesting.
The only difficulty is above Saint-Christophe Chapel: the trail is unmarked and sometimes difficult to see. It is necessary to know how to use a map and compass and/or how to follow a GPS track.
However, it is possible to avoid this section and shorten the hike by connecting the points (3) to (9).
Chapel of Our Lady of Life and caves
What could be more surprising than visiting a chapel built by human hands, completely isolated on a seemingly impassable rock face, with a huge cave overlooking it, also equipped with an altar forming another chapel, this one natural and even larger than the previous one!On the way up, there is a smaller cave. Both caves are completely safe. With a torch, you can explore them more fully...From up there, you'll get a breathtaking view of the Têt Valley, the surrounding valleys and the Canigou.
Historical route above Villefranche-de-Conflent
This route allows you to discover military remains (Vauban's cistern and redoubt) as well as former ore quarries (marble, manganese and talc) and, above all, superb panoramic views of the Têt and Cady valleys. You can also see Villefranche-de-Conflent and Fort Libéria from above.
This is a fairly easy hike, but don't underestimate the length.
Le Pech de Bugarach from the Col du Linas
Route providing access to Pech de Bugarach.Warning: the access path is extremely damaged and eroded. It is more like a mountain trail.Do not underestimate this short hike, where you will need to use your hands in places. I have classified it as difficult.Please stay on the marked path. Warning signs saying "Hors Sentier" (off trail) have been installed in many places. Thank you.
5 May 2025. Route updated following user comments. So please follow the advice above: stay on the marked paths.
The Pech de Bugarach via the shortest route
It's not the most interesting route in the massif, but it's the shortest way to quickly reach the summit of the famous site that became legendary in 2012, the Pech de Bugarach, the mysterious highest point of the Corbières massif, a foothill of the Pyrenees and a landmark for griffon vultures, which you're sure to spot.
Puig del Pam loop via La Balmette
A lovely loop offering 360° views and glimpses of the Capcir, Madres and Canigou peaks. Added to this are the two magnificent lakes you pass by.
Part of the hike is off-trail, so you need to know how to find your way.
Mont Llaret and Roc d'Aude
A breathtaking hike with stunning landscapes and uninterrupted views, in the heart of the Catalan Pyrenees Regional Nature Park, starting from the Les Angles ski resort.
Circular from the Vallsera Pond
This short circular starting from the Étang de Vallsera relaxation area is recommended as a complement to a relaxing picnic by the lake in the heart of nature. It is short but a little challenging due to the uphill section, which culminates in a passage with handrail ropes. The route has been modified following the fall of large trees.
From Étang de Balcère to Étang de la Balmette
A beautiful hike above Les Angles, from Étang de Balcère to Étang de la Balmette. The route, accessible to all despite a few climbs, offers a peaceful atmosphere and unspoilt natural surroundings. At the end of the trail, the tranquillity of Étang de la Balmette rewards your efforts.