Les Cabannes walks

A beautiful but challenging hike in the mid-mountain range, along little-used paths through unspoilt countryside, offering lovely views over the Ariège Valley and the surrounding mountains. Directly accessible by TER from Toulouse.

Round trip to reach the Hermitage of Saint-Pierre and its view of the Ariège valley from the Cabannes railway station.

Circular route from Les Cabannes station. Beautiful views of the valley and varied surroundings.

From the Appy car park, climb the peak but follow an anti-clockwise circular loop, which is much less common. That is to say, ascend via the Jasse de Sédars then the Sarrat de Bertenac, and return via the Col de Girabal, the Col d'Appy and then the Étang d'Appy.

A short, pleasant half-day hike in spring to the Étang d'Appy and its cirque.

Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Pyrenees. From Canigou to Mont Valier, the summit of Pic de Saint-Barthélemy offers breathtaking views of the entire eastern Pyrenees and the Ariège plain. The ridge path and the pretty Étang d'Appy lake are a pleasant addition to this beautiful route. The significant elevation gain and length of this route are its main difficulties (²). See practical information (¹).

A beautiful nature hike in the mid-mountains, starting from the small village of Larnat. The ridge passages and side traverses offer extensive panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and the Ariège valley. The entire route is on wide stony or partially grassy paths and ends on the Doulent forest road through a beautiful forest of beech and spruce trees. This hike can be done on snowshoes, in which case it is rated as difficult.

Starting from Lordat, this route takes you through six small mountain villages, all well exposed and offering beautiful views of the surrounding peaks and the Ariège valley. Alternating between small sunken paths, stream crossings and balcony trails, the route is not difficult, but you will need to save your strength for the last part, which involves a steep climb of a few hundred metres.

Perched on a rocky promontory, Lordat Castle guards and dominates the Ariège valley. This hike takes you around it, offering panoramic views and typical mountain villages. Yellow markings. Be careful as the markings are sometimes difficult to see.

From the railway tracks to the peaks of the Ariège! Setting off from Luzenac station, escape on a unique trail amidst the cool mountain streams, shady forests and the majestic ruins of Lordat Castle. A circular route combining nature and history, accessible by train.

This forest path follows the course of the Ruisseau de Lavail. It is a very shaded round-trip walk, right in the heart of the forest, which leads out onto the large plain where the Cabane de Sauzet is situated. The cool air and the murmur of the stream will ensure you have a pleasant time, despite the constant effort required as the route has virtually no flat sections. You should plan for several breaks, but you’ll easily find plenty of places to access the river to cool off.

Located on the outskirts of Tarascon-sur-Ariège, this hike gradually takes you up the slopes where you can admire the Ariège, Tarascon and several peaks of the Pyrenees!

This circular hike will take you across the Plateau de Beille, offering beautiful views of the eastern Ariège Pyrenees throughout the hike. When you reach the top of the plateau, you may encounter a few herds grazing (goats, cows or Mérens horses).

Circular route to the Quioules hut, returning via the Rieufort de Gascous and Ludines huts. No technical difficulties (a bit steep at times – this is the Ariège, after all), but the second part of the route is mainly off-track, sometimes a faint track, sometimes nothing at all, and therefore requires good sense of direction or careful following of your GPS track.Classified as difficult due to the unmarked route and the steep gradients in places. Stunning views of the Aston massif, the Pic de l’Homme Mort, the beautiful huts and, on the return journey, the Soularac, Saint Barthélémy and Pic du Han. The outward leg along the Ruisseau de Quioulès offers the chance to discover some lovely pools. This walk can be done in the opposite direction, which would certainly offer a fine view of the Aston massif, but the ascent would then be concentrated in the first section.

Circular starting from the Monts d'Olmes resort, passing through the Pics de Girabal and Galinat via the Col de Girabal, the Col de l'Étang d'Appy (with a beautiful view of the lake) and finally the Col de Cadène. Some sections require the use of your hands but are not particularly dangerous (in the absence of snow). You can also make a round trip to Pic du Han (from Col de Cadène) or Saint-Barthélémy (from Col de Girabal), but the additional elevation gains are not included in this technical data sheet.

Snowshoe hike from the Monts d'Olmes resort. We did this hike on a Friday in January, outside of school holidays, which was great. It's likely to be a bit busier during school holidays or at weekends! If possible, choose a day with clear weather. It would be a shame to miss the view.

This varied hike around the village of Arnave takes you over four mountain passes in a landscape dominated by the lofty silhouette of the Teste de Cuing. Alternating between woodland trails, forest tracks and balcony paths, it offers beautiful views of the Ariège Pyrenees and the Tarascon-sur-Ariège basin. There are a few sections on roads that are generally quiet outside the summer season.

This route, which circles the village of Arnave, is particularly dedicated to visiting the Romanesque chapel of Saint-Paul, a jewel of tranquillity in a rural setting. From its promontory, it invites you to take your time and enjoy the peace and quiet.

This loop takes you from the village of Arnave up to the Col d'Ijou, where you can see the village of Croquié before starting the descent via the village of Serres. You can also admire the beautiful view of the Pyrenees at various points along the walk.

A walk starting from Tarascon-sur-Ariège that will take you to Junac, passing through the small village of Alliat and overlooking the village of Niaux.

Most of the hike takes place in the forest on easy trails. At Les Brougues, and especially at the Cabane de Carmilles, you have a beautiful view of the Pyrenees. A beautiful hike for a very hot day! The starting point for this hike is not accessible in snowy conditions.

At an altitude of 2,000 metres, Mont Fourcat is the northernmost peak of the Cirque des Monts d'Olmes. It offers a vast view of the plain to the north and a view of the entire Ariège mountain range to the south and west. Beyond that, on a clear day, you can even see the Maladetta glacier in the distance. To the east, the view plunges into the Cirque des Monts d'Olmes, dominated by the imposing Saint-Barthélemy. You first climb through a beautiful forest and as soon as you reach the open space among the ferns and heather, which then give way to rhododendrons, broom and gispet, you can enjoy a beautiful view as you walk along a ridge formed by continuous grassy hillocks leading to the summit. This outing is quite challenging (800 m elevation gain), but the route is entirely on very comfortable trails and tracks, hence its "medium" rating.

A short outing for an afternoon of snowshoeing in the woods with magnificent views of the Ariège Pyrenees towards Andorra.

A short, not too difficult hike – very enjoyable. You follow streams all the way, first through the forest, then across a plateau. A very wild, natural atmosphere. Countless spots, ideal for pitching a tent, with trees galore, majestic rocks and a fast-flowing yet calm river. A very good population of brown trout in the river. The lake, too, is teeming with fish – large brown trout and rainbow trout – to potentially delight the palates of food lovers.

A lovely off-trail walk through the forest and boxwood trees.

A lovely viewpoint, a dolmen and a rural plateau.

A pleasant family walk in a beech forest, interesting in all seasons, including for snowshoeing.

Despite its modest altitude (1,840 m), Roc de Querquéou offers a superb view of the many peaks of the Haute Ariège. After the beautiful climb through the woods to Col du Pla de Faradu and then Col de Lastris, you will need to redouble your efforts to climb the extremely steep ridge that leads to the summit. The return journey takes you via the Col de la Bène and the pretty pastoral site of La Grangette d'en Bas before returning to Génat.

This hike takes you to the first peak over 2,000 metres from Toulouse, with magnificent views from the summit.

A short circular walk for the whole family, from the hamlet of La Peyregade to Martinat and back along the Touyre stream.

Wide open spaces with aerial views of the Monts d'Olmes massif; reminders of an industrial past with old quarries; paths through the forest, then along ridges offering magnificent panoramic views, a small lake, two huts... Simply bliss for a family walk that everyone can enjoy!

This hike in the Tabe Massif leads to the Étang des Truites and then the Étang du Diable, both nestled beneath the Pic de Soularac and the Pic de Saint-Barthélemy, which they form part of the ascent routes for. The passage through the old talc quarries of La Porteille and Fangas adds a moving historical touch. Finally, on the way back, the Étang de Moulzoune offers a peaceful break in a magnificent setting.

Superb viewpoint over the entire eastern part of the Pyrenees. The Pic de Saint-Barthélemy also offers an exceptional view of the plain to the north. It is easily identifiable on a clear day from the motorway... The route combines beech forest, where the small Lac de Moulzoune nestles, two old quarries, grassy hilltops overlooking two high-altitude lakes, a small forest of mountain pines and ends with a stony ridge covered with rhododendrons.

Loop starting from the Étang de Moulzoune via the peaks of Soularac and Saint-Barthélémy. To be done between June and November, checking that there is no snow on the north side (visible from Lavelanet), as access would be difficult.

The Étang d’Embizon, well known to anglers, is much less frequented by hikers. It is true that the steep gradient at the end of the route, combined with long stretches without any signposting, may discourage some. And that is a great pity because, after the effort involved, this magnificent high-altitude lake is truly a reward of the highest order.

Despite its modest altitude (1,618 m), this peak, well known to paragliders, offers a 360° panorama including the Cathar fortress of Montségur and the Montagne de Tabe. The circuit begins with a steady climb through the Bois de Montminier and continues over wide, grassy ridges that present no difficulty. On the way back, the Lac de Moulzoune and its picnic area offer a very pleasant place to stop.