Refine your search for walks in Massif du Plantaurel
Massif du Plantaurel walks
Discover the ruins of Saint-Barthélémy Castle
Visorando Member
8.18 mi
+1,631 ft
-1,640 ft
5h 10
Moderate
Departure from Durban-sur-Arize (Ariège)
Between farmland and virgin forest, discover the ruins of the Château de Saint-Barthélémy, which overlooks the authentic villages of Durban-sur-Arize and Montseron on the Plantaurel massif. You will admire the most peaceful landscapes: views of the Pyrenees, emerald forests worthy of the greatest fantasy films, and hills stretching as far as the eye can see.
The Mas-d'Azil dolmens trail
9.77 mi
+1,368 ft
-1,358 ft
5h 40
Moderate
Departure from Le Mas-d'Azil (Ariège)
Le Mas-d'Azil is a site rich in prehistoric remains. This trail takes in three very well-preserved dolmens, while offering a fine view of the Ariège Pyrenees and surrounding hills.
The Roquefort Waterfalls
0.42 mi
+302 ft
-302 ft
0h 25
Easy
Departure from Roquefort-les-Cascades (Ariège)
A very short walk in the woods to discover the Roquefort waterfalls.
Roquefixade Castle, Coulzonne Cave and Roquefort Waterfalls
7.12 mi
+2,283 ft
-2,270 ft
5h 15
Moderate
Departure from Roquefort-les-Cascades (Ariège)
A beautiful hike, without any real difficulty, in the hills above Roquefixade, near Foix, and at the Roquefort Waterfalls.The first part of the hike is uphill through the woods until you reach the cliffs above Roquefixade (castle, ridge and cave) before re-entering the forest to the waterfalls and picnic tables.
The Roquefort waterfalls from Roquefixade
7.01 mi
+1,647 ft
-1,647 ft
4h 40
Moderate
Departure from Roquefixade (Ariège)
A beautiful hike, mostly through woods and without difficulty. Various routes are listed in a booklet available at the stopover lodge. At the start, our route is marked as No. 6.
Between crests and rivers, a circular in Plantaurel
8.73 mi
+909 ft
-892 ft
4h 50
Moderate
Departure from Laroque-d'Olmes (Ariège)
A circular loop in Plantaurel: greenways, woods, ridge views, the Touyre and Hers rivers, and history with the Saint-Roch Chapel and the Castella de Laroque d'Olmes. Something to satisfy all hikers.
Cathar castle of Roquefixade
4.86 mi
+1,604 ft
-1,604 ft
3h 40
Moderate
Departure from Roquefixade (Ariège)
A pleasant walk in the hills above Roquefixade, near Foix. Passing by its Cathar castle and the Grotte de l'Église Catholique, used to celebrate Mass during the French Revolution.
A varied route: heath, woods and clearings.
Suitable for families, but caution is advised along the cliff ridge.
Lieurac - Le Bois de Mouillet circular
8.47 mi
+1,604 ft
-1,585 ft
5h 20
Moderate
Departure from Lieurac (Ariège)
From hamlets to villages, forests to woods, set off to discover the hidden charms of this little corner of Ariège! Take a breather and discover a 400-year-old oak tree, small wash basins, old stone shepherds' huts (orrys), views of the Péreille Gorges... and a few steep slopes, one with a 17% gradient and another with a 20% gradient!
The Ariège Plantaurel around Roquefort-les-Cascades
9.86 mi
+1,834 ft
-1,818 ft
6h 10
Moderate
Departure from Lieurac (Ariège)
This hike offers beautiful rolling landscapes between the woods of La Balme, Mouillet and small valley bottoms. The main feature of this route is the Douctouyre, a river near Lavelanet, which you cross twice. The highlight is the petrifying Turasse waterfall near Roquefort, a real geological curiosity.
Crêtes des Bordes
4.15 mi
+797 ft
-794 ft
2h 35
Easy
Departure from Les Bordes-sur-Arize (Ariège)
A short and pleasant walk along the ridges, facing the Pyrenees. The climb is a little steep at the start, but accessible with good footwear (less experienced walkers should avoid muddy periods).
Circuit from Notre-Dame de Montaut to Montbrun-Bocage
Tourist office
4.40 mi
+541 ft
-535 ft
2h 30
Easy
Departure from Montbrun-Bocage (Haute-Garonne)
A family walk on well-maintained and marked trails through forests, pastures and varied landscapes, with a view of the Pyrenees from the ridge. This route allows you to discover a rich heritage: the village with its half-timbered houses, a ruined castle, an outdoor sculpture exhibition, and more. The loop begins or ends, depending on your choice, at Lac de Bouydou, a fishing lake with pontoons, picnic tables and a barbecue. This route can be done in either direction.
The Gréoulou circular horseshoe loop from Laroque and Lavelanet
6.80 mi
+1,263 ft
-1,240 ft
4h 15
Moderate
Departure from Laroque-d'Olmes (Ariège)
Set off to explore this part of the Plantaurel ridges with the unique Gréoulou horseshoe! Perched above Laroque d'Olmes and Lavelanet, this is an original circular route with a very steep climb up Sainte-Ruffine!
Remember to bring enough water.
The Source du Buc at the start of Leychert
2.21 mi
+650 ft
-653 ft
1h 35
Easy
Departure from Leychert (Ariège)
For the first twenty minutes, the trail climbs steadily and there are beautiful views between the bushes and trees, especially in winter. After that, you can enjoy fantastic views of the valley almost constantly.
Loop around Montfa
6.83 mi
+1,332 ft
-1,332 ft
4h 20
Moderate
Departure from Montfa (Ariège)
A beautiful hike on the Plantaurel massif which, from the village of Monfa, will take you on well-marked trails with beautiful climbs to discover surprising local habitats, beautiful views, the Roc du Cor, the Les Moulis Ecomuseum, the hamlet of Camarde, and the Couminge dolmen. You may see herds of geese, sheep, goats, donkeys and horses.
The Gorges de Péreille
5.12 mi
+1,020 ft
-1,050 ft
3h 15
Moderate
Departure from Péreille (Ariège)
A shaded walk through the woods along the Douctouyre with some geological explanations.
The Château and the Grotte de Coulzonne on a short route from Roquefixade
2.76 mi
+791 ft
-778 ft
1h 55
Easy
Departure from Roquefixade (Ariège)
This route (actually walked, not copied) follows the one published by Grenouille09, but shortens the return leg. A route of around 2 hours.
The route along the ridge is slightly different from that of the hike mentioned above, but this doesn’t make much difference; it’s impossible to get lost. We’ve simply added a few extra details below.
Circular route between L'Herm and Roquefort des Cascades
7.64 mi
+1,785 ft
-1,781 ft
5h 05
Moderate
Departure from Roquefort-les-Cascades (Ariège)
A walk suitable for all year round (provided there is no snow in winter), mostly through woodland. The first section is very accessible and family-friendly, on wide, well-maintained paths. The section after L'Herm is a well-marked climb, marked in yellow, but the path is not always obvious on the ground, with quite a few steep sections, though never dangerous (you can have lunch at the highest point).
The Croix de Saint-Sauveur as seen from Foix station
5.65 mi
+1,129 ft
-1,122 ft
3h 35
Moderate
Departure from Foix (Ariège)
A walk through the land of Gaston Fébus, former Count of Foix, along the Ariège. After an enjoyable climb “in the land of the elves” amongst the moss-covered rocks, you reach two rural hamlets, where time seems to have stood still, then the ridge and its viewpoints over the Pyrenees.
(!) There appear to be restrictions on access. Message from a user on 28 February 2025. Hike not recommended.
Ilhat - Gréoulou circular
5.37 mi
+1,033 ft
-1,014 ft
3h 20
Moderate
Departure from Ilhat (Ariège)
A circular route for a family hike with wide, safe paths, starting from the village of Ilhat (from below). The outward route runs along the top of the cliff with a beautiful view to the south over the Pyrenees. The return route runs along the bottom of the cliff. A path through the woods leads to the hamlet of Gréoulou. There are many alternative paths, but some of them are dead ends! So it's best to stick to the trail.
Circular via the Croix de Morenci at the foot of Montségur.
7.77 mi
+1,437 ft
-1,421 ft
4h 50
Moderate
Departure from Lavelanet (Ariège)
Hike starting from Lavelanet with a very steep climb through the woods, followed by magnificent panoramic views of Montségur Castle, to reach the Croix de Morenci and its charming metal origami bison sculptures. Beautiful view of Mont Fourcat as well.
The hills of Montbrun-Bocage via Les Cabanères
9.22 mi
+1,529 ft
-1,519 ft
5h 30
Moderate
Departure from Montbrun-Bocage (Haute-Garonne)
This walk will allow you to explore the open countryside around Montbrun-Bocage and take you to the Plantaurel ridge via old paths and forest tracks. You will come across numerous springs and streams. A GPS will be essential as signposting is virtually non-existent.
Circular between Ilhat and Roquefort-les-Cascades
6.71 mi
+1,237 ft
-1,214 ft
4h 10
Moderate
Departure from Ilhat (Ariège)
Circular in the Douctouyre valley with a passage through the top of the cliffs of the Mouillet plateau, which offers a beautiful view of the Ariège Pyrenees in good weather. Once in the village of Roquefort-les-Cascades, you can visit the waterfalls, which have water mainly in spring.
Circular via Coulzonne and Roquefixade
5.52 mi
+1,070 ft
-1,076 ft
3h 30
Moderate
Departure from Roquefixade (Ariège)
Here is an alternative hike in the Château de Roquefixade massif, which is easy and offers beautiful views of the valley, the village and the Pyrenees, weather permitting. You will also see many goats, some more wild than others, but none of them shy.
Roquefort-les-Cascades - Roc des Abeilles - Heath circular
3.94 mi
+935 ft
-909 ft
2h 40
Moderate
Departure from Roquefort-les-Cascades (Ariège)
This is a short circular, starting from Roquefort-les-Cascades, which climbs to the ruins of Château de Teyrac, then follows the ridge to Roc des Abeilles. You will pass at the foot of beautiful cliffs that were climbing spots for the Haute Montagne Gendarmerie platoons. The landscape is exceptional, and there is also a beautiful view of Pic Saint-Barthélémy. There are two fairly steep climbs, which are best avoided in wet weather.
Circular via Saint-Martin and Roquefixade from Nalzen
5.04 mi
+1,293 ft
-1,322 ft
3h 25
Moderate
Departure from Roquefixade (Ariège)
A circular loop, mainly on footpaths and a little bit of a very quiet road. Beautiful views of the castles of Roquefixade and Montségur in the distance, as well as the mountains of the Tabe massif.
Les Côtes and Saint-Genès from Montgailhard
4.66 mi
+1,421 ft
-1,414 ft
3h 25
Moderate
Departure from Montgaillard (Ariège)
Circular starting from the village of Montgailhard, near Foix, climbing up the Côtes, then to Saint-Genès. Hike through the woods during the ascent and descent. May be a little slippery if it is very wet. The passage along the ridge offers a beautiful view to the south over the Pyrenees, from Soularac in the east to Pique d'Endron, then to Roc de Batail in the west.
Around Cadarcet
2.73 mi
+276 ft
-279 ft
1h 30
Easy
Departure from Cadarcet (Ariège)
A peaceful walk through a small village, between fields, woods and village paths, easily accessible from the greenway. A circular route with easy parking in front of the village school/town hall.
Roc des Abeilles from Roquefort-les-Cascades
5.06 mi
+1,158 ft
-1,168 ft
3h 20
Moderate
Departure from Roquefort-les-Cascades (Ariège)
Circular hike from Roquefort-les-Cascades to Roc des Abeilles via the ruins of Château de Teyrac and back via Jean de Lamic, Les Monges and Daribeau on the other side of the valley. The route passes through two impressive climbing spots with routes rated from 4 to 7c. Some fairly steep passages where you need to use your hands.
Péreille d'en Haut
5.11 mi
+843 ft
-837 ft
3h 05
Easy
Departure from Lavelanet (Ariège)
A family-friendly route that is not too long but has a slight incline and, above all, a beautiful view of the Tabe massif, Saint-Barthélémy and Mont Fourcat. The path continues a little further but is a dead end above the cliffs of the Gorges de Péreille. The return journey can be made via a slightly sloping trail, then a path that can be muddy after rain.
Loop via Ivry, La Bastide-sur-l'Hers and Laroque-d'Olmes from Dreuilhe
8.31 mi
+814 ft
-837 ft
4h 30
Moderate
Departure from Dreuilhe (Ariège)
A pleasant, easy loop with beautiful views of the surrounding hills and the Tabe massif: Pic du Soularac, Pic de Saint-Barthélémy, Pic de Girabal, Pic Galinat, Pic du Han and Mont Fourcat.