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In Montferrier, do not cross the bridge leading to the village centre but continue on the D9. Then turn right onto the D909, which leads to the Monts d'Olmes ski resort. Take the hairpin bend on the left(caution ) onto the Route Forestière de la Mine (signposted). Park about 400m further on, either on the left or right of the track.
Except for the final climb to Roc de la Gourgue, the entire hike is marked with yellow PR® signs of varying density.
(S/E) Head towards the information sign for the Sentier Forestier de l'Orri, walk a few steps and then leave the forest road to take a steep path that starts on the right (double sign: Sentier Forestier / Orri). This path, which is quite congested in places, quickly rejoins the forest road, which you should follow to the right.
(1) Just after a small area that appears to be used for storing logs (piles of bark on the ground), take a path on the left. After a few metres, which are difficult to navigate due to the numerous branches on the ground, the path leads to a forest track which you must cross to continue straight ahead on a wide path, despite the pile of earth that appears to block the way.
The path has been damaged by heavy forestry work and the ground is littered with branches and pieces of wood, but these do not hinder progress. Pass a platform with an orientation table with no information (!) and join the forest road.
(2) Continue to the left. Further on, ignore an ascending track on the left and go straight ahead (contrary to the map, there is only one track on the left). When you reach a crossroads (with beehives on your right), stay on the stony track you have been following to quickly reach the Maison Forestière de l'Orri, located in a beautiful clearing with a barbecue and picnic tables.
(3) Head towards the signpost straight ahead and continue along the wide path, following the double sign for "Les Pics et les Étangs / Fontaine de Souc". Pass under an electric fence without a gate (not very convenient) and continue uphill.
Pass the Fontaine de Souc, marked by a wooden sign on a majestic tree, and continue climbing through a beautiful coniferous forest with a ground covered in ferns and blueberry bushes.
Cross the fence again (even less convenient than the first time) and follow the path that climbs up a meadow where the trail becomes a little lost. Look for a cairn with yellow markings.
(4) Turn left (east). Leave the woods and head north, following the path along the edge of the woods.
(5) Enter the woods again, ignore a multi-track path opposite and turn right. Then tackle a very steep climb (the IGN map is incorrect here) and reach the ridge. Below you can see the Cabane du Vacher and Lac de Moulzoune, which you will pass on the way back.
Turn right. Ignore the path that descends to the left (sign for Mine de Fangas / Lac de Moulzoune). At the signpost shortly after, do not follow the sign straight ahead to climb the Pic de Saint-Barthélémy, but turn left onto a wide stony path. You will reach the old Porteille quarry.
(6) Turn right to follow it, then take a steep path downhill, first south, then east-northeast. Further on, the path levels out and follows a wide ledge that runs along the side of two small peaks. When it turns left, you will enjoy a beautiful view of the small rocky peak (elevation 1,678 on the map) and the Cabane de la Taula, located to your right.
Go around this peak on the left and continue almost on the contour line. Ignore the grassy track on the right that leads to the Cabane de la Taula, pass a cattle enclosure further on and continue to a fork at an electric fence and a signpost.
(7) Cross the fence and follow a wide grassy path on level ground. After about 150m, turn right and climb the steep slope to reach the summit of Roc de la Gourgue.
(8) Magnificent 360° view. To the northeast, the fortress of Montségur perched on its vertiginous rocky peak with the Lavelanet basin in the background. To the southeast, the Pic de Saint-Barthélémy and the Pic de Soularac, iconic peaks of the Montagne de Tabe.
Turn back to the signpost.
(7) Turn right, following the sign for "Parking - Moulzoune" on a sign on the ground. The path slopes to the left and begins a fairly steep descent before making a hairpin turn to the left.
(9) Turn right. After a cattle grid, the slope becomes steep but levels out once the path turns south-west. Continue until you reach a crossroads with a car park on your left and an information board about the Montagne de Tabe on your right.
(10) Turn left to begin the climb to Lac de Moulzoune, which you will reach after a few hairpin bends.
(11) The place is enchanting: lawns, picnic tables, barbecue. The lake is dominated by the summit of Planas with a few rocky escarpments that embellish the picture.
Turn around.
(10) Take the track on the left. It is almost flat and this last part of the circuit may seem a little monotonous.
(12) Don't miss the magnificent view of the Château de Montségur, a vertiginous citadel perched on a rocky outcrop. This is the only place where it can be seen through the vegetation.
Continue straight ahead to the start (S/E).
We met a few more people after the fork for Lake Moulzoune.
Visorando member
Very difficult 
Difficult 
