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Changes to the route and description following the diversion put in place by the Communauté de Communes de la Haute Ariège.
From Ax-les-Thermes, follow the D613 towards Quillan and the Col du Chioula, which is clearly signposted. Go past the pass, drive for about one kilometre, then park in a compacted lay-by on the right. There is more than enough space for around ten vehicles.
YellowPR®® signposting
(S/E) Start on the right-hand side of the car park, taking a wide, uphill path (signposted ‘No entry for all vehicles’). Continue to a junction at a small clearing.
No signposting
(1) Turn left onto a wide grassy track which starts on level ground and quickly leads to a junction directly beneath a power line.
(2) Carry on to the left along the path, which begins a gentle descent and leads to another junction.
(3) Take a sharp left-hand bend and continue down to a very well-maintained, motorable forest track.
(4) Turn right and pass a wooden sign for Montaillou alongside a mountain bike sign for Route No. 3. Follow this forest track for almost 3 km as it winds through a magnificent beech forest. Ignore all the paths and tracks branching off on either side and you’ll reach a clearing offering a beautiful view to the left over the Prades valley and the Pic de Gérale.
(5) Take care not to miss the hairpin bend on the right leading onto the grassy track, which is not marked by any signposts. Go straight on at the junction about a hundred metres further on and follow the wide path which enters the forest again and climbs steadily to the edge, where you’ll need to cross an electric fence, taking care to close it properly behind you. Continue gently uphill to the Col de Rieufred, where you’ll find a signpost bearing several signs for mountain bike routes.
GR®® white and red markings
(6) To the south-east, enjoy the breathtaking view of the Pic de Brasseil or Dent d’Orlu, with its very distinctive profile. Turn right onto theGR®®107, also known as the Chemin des Bonshommes in reference to the Cathars. Further on, the path gives way to a grassy track that winds through the forest, taking a series of bends. Reach the Col de Pierre Blanche.
(7) Turn right onto the track, which straightens out and winds round twice before reaching a junction, just after a log bridge.
YellowPR®® markings
(8) Leave theGR®® and turn right, then right again 100 metres further on, following the wooden sign pointing towards the Refuge du Chioula, and head for the refuge.
(9) Make the most of this stop to admire the breathtaking view of the Pyrenean range and have a go, with a good map, at spotting and naming the major peaks of the Ariège. An orientation table would be extremely useful here.
Leaving the refuge, cross the wide track leading to a small chalet and take the path opposite, which, for the first 150 metres, has suffered greatly from repeated use by herds and is completely rutted (as of September 2017). Immediately after passing under a power line, the path reaches a junction with a signpost, where you should continue to the right.
The path widens and becomes grassy as it runs alongside a copse on the left before beginning a wide bend to the right. Ignore a wide path branching off to the left and carry on to a further junction situated directly beneath the same power line.
(10) Cross the electric fence and turn left.
(1) At the first junction you come to on the ascent, carry on straight ahead and return to the car park (S/E).
Visorando Member
Easy 
