Botanical walk at Bonascre

Meet at the ESF (École du Ski Français) building.

(S/E) Head up towards the large rock with a picnic table and follow the path that takes you to the end of the hairpin bend in the road. This is where the trail really begins.
Follow the wooden signs pointing to the botanical trail.
There are also information boards along the walk explaining the local flora and the surrounding peaks. The forest track climbs steadily until it reaches the Ruisseau des Estagnols. Here you’ll find some cool shade.

(1) The track turns into a footpath and climbs more steeply… hang in there, you’re not far now!
The climb continues until you reach the top, beneath the chairlift facilities of the Campels ski area. It’s the ideal spot for a break, a picnic and a swim, especially with children.

(2) For the return journey, take the hairpin bend to the right onto a wide forest track which serves as a ski run in winter (Les 3 Jasses), rising slightly at the start until you reach an altitude of 1588 metres.

(3) It then descends all the way back.

(4) Turn right to reach the car park (S/E).
(See alternative route in the practical information section).

- A refreshing spot for a swim halfway along the route.
- There is little shade despite the forest track along the route.
- The start and end of the track are closed off by a cattle wire and a Canadian gate as this is a grazing area for livestock. Please remember to close the gates!

Alternative route: as a final option, you can take the path on the left, which leads back towards the centre of the resort, rather than the one on the right, which descends and takes you back to the starting point.

Ax Bonascre resort
Other walks between Ax-les-Thermes and Bonascre, including the ascent to the Saquet plateau by chairlift, which allows you to set off from 2,000 m
Ax-les-Thermes is a small spa town offering a wide range of activities and accessible by TER train or bus.