Place des Ecoles - Montgailhard (09) walks

It’s impossible to spend a few days in Montgailhard without climbing the local ‘peak’, the ‘Pain de Sucre’ of Montgailhard (in Occitan) or Montgaillard (in French), also grandly known as the ‘Pic de Montgailhard’ or Costebelle on the land registry. From the summit rock at an altitude of 627 metres, there are beautiful views of the surrounding countryside, set in completely unspoilt natural surroundings. In the Middle Ages, each hilltop was crowned by a castle or a watchtower. At the summit of the peak, you can play at being an archaeologist by searching for the remains of a stronghold of the County of Foix, the Château de Montgrenier (built in the 12th century and demolished on the orders of Louis XIII), of which at least one square tower still stood in 1673. But the circular walk first takes us to ‘Le Château’ in the village centre, then up a small hill known as ‘Le Castel’ (the castle)... All that’s missing are the men-at-arms to transport us straight into the heart of feudal warfare.

The village of Montgailhard is dominated by the famous Pic de Montgailhard, or ‘Pain de Sucre’, rising proudly to an altitude of 627 m. But there is another, lesser-known peak called Carsabel, which is well worth a visit, as, at 615 m, it has nothing to be ashamed of when compared to its big brother. Less imposing, far less easily accessible, yet without any major technical difficulties, you must nevertheless brave the challenges of its winding and hard-to-follow paths to reach its summit deep in the forest. This is the domain of wild boars, roe deer and other mammals and birds of this region in the Pyrenean foothills, but also of the foresters who (moderately) manage its slopes.Part of the route follows the paths across the plain, through the local park or along the old paths on the banks of the River Lios.An unusual route, reserved for hikers seeking a challenge or runners looking to add variety to their routes.