Soulan walks

A short family walk offering 180° views of the Couserans mountains, including Vallier, for almost the entire route. Most of the walk is along a very quiet road. It is best to do this walk in the morning to avoid the mountains being in silhouette.

Climb up to the ruined Mirabat Castle, where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Couserans mountain range with Mont Valier and the plain in the foreground.

Start from the village of Alos and its castle. After a steep climb, you will discover the panorama of the Ariège Pyrenees and, at the summit of the Pic de la Quère, a small part of the Mont Valier.

In the heart of nature, through the forest of the Ariège Pyrenees Regional Nature Park, climb the ridge from Lescure to Rimont and overlook the Little Pyrenees with a magnificent view of Mont Valier and the Montcalm massif. Turn around and admire the rolling landscapes of the Séronnais, Arize, Couserans and Volvestre valleys.

This short hike will allow you to see the Lafont Tower and enjoy a superb 360° view from the summit of Cap de Campets.

A round-trip route dominated by water, in the cool valley of the Estours and Artigue streams.

A circular from the centre to the Aubert Waterfall via Cap de la Bouiche. Beautiful view of Saint-Girons and the heights above Moulis.

A circular route that allows you to discover a low-altitude pond nestled in the middle of the forest, then a mountain pond in the heart of the mountain pastures, passing by the Campuls hut, and to meet the herds in summer. Author's note: this hike was published a long time ago: for any changes to the original route, please consult the comments at the end of the file.

A pretty lake nestled at the foot of the mountains and a shepherd's hut in summer surrounded by mountains with, on the way back, a beautiful view of the Bethmale Valley.

De ruelles en sentiers, cet itinéraire conduira le promeneur de Saint-Lizier au Montcaliver, belvédère sur l'ensemble des vallées couserannaises et les splendides sommets dominés par le seigneur du Couseran: le mont Vallier.

This circuit provides access to the dry stone hamlet of Les Orris. It is a magnificent pastoral village, used for summer grazing, set in lush green surroundings opposite the Pic des Trois Seigneurs. The hamlet of Les Goutets was used from the 1800s until around 1950.

A short hike accessible to all, best done with snowshoes. In addition to its short distance, low altitude and easy level of difficulty, you will be treated to magnificent landscapes all the way to the final cirque of the Cabane de Campuls. The site is very popular in summer, but much less so in winter.

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.

A breathtaking hike leading to Étang d'Ayès from Lac de Bethmale via Cirque de Campuls and its wonderful waterfall.

A beautiful hike in the Uustou Valley, which passes through the hamlets of L'Echart and Ossèse, with numerous waterfalls (especially in spring). As a bonus, you can see the superb Lastien waterfall. A very beautiful hike with no difficulty. Most of the route is covered by vegetation (pleasant in strong sunlight).

A pleasant hike with part of the outward and return journey in the shade; a cirque, a beautiful natural pond and a lovely viewpoint at the pass.

Loop starting from Alus-Les-Bains with varied landscapes. Hike to be undertaken after the snow has completely disappeared (check in advance). Several passages through peat, in the middle of streams and avalanche corridors.Please note: look carefully for markings and signposts, which are not always very visible.

A fantastic getaway leading to one of the most beautiful and largest waterfalls in the Pyrenees.

Boucle au départ d'Aulus-Les-Bains vers la cascade d'Ars et retour par la cascade du Fouillet. Randonnée très agréable, en forêt sur quasiment tout le parcours, avec pour récompense deux cascades mirifiques. Majestueuse, la cascade d'Ars est haute de 246 m en 3 ressauts et sa partie médiane large de 60 m. La cascade du Fouillet, de moindre envergure, est tout aussi belle et impressionnante.

An easy path leads to the Ars waterfall. A slightly more challenging trail climbs up the Ars valley to admire its ponds.

This hike takes place mainly on agricultural and forest tracks with beautiful views of the Pyrenean foothills. Contrazy is a hamlet that you will only discover when you see the sign, as it is nestled in its green surroundings. Beautiful renovated farms, a remarkable church, a street decorated with flowers. On the way back, don't miss the unusual Notre-Dame de la Goutte chapel in Montardit.

A circular walk in a magnificent landscape bathed in a calm and soothing atmosphere. This loop will delight lovers of peace and quiet as well as those wishing to reconnect with nature.

A beautiful circular starting from Port de Lers, passing by Pic de Girantes (or Mont Ceint) with magnificent 360° views, then descending to Port de Saleix and climbing back up to Port de Bassiès with superb views of the refuge and the Bassiès lakes. Return via Pas de la Portère via a difficult climb.

Circular around Coumebière with beautiful views of the surrounding peaks. It will allow you to discover the Étang de Labant, an old mine and the Girantes plateau, which is not as flat as its name might suggest, all at the foot of the 1,975 m Mont Ceint.

A beautiful blue pond at the foot of the granite Mont Garias with a beautiful view of Mont Valier during the ascent

This hike, accessible to all, offers a taste of the high mountains. After the Étang de Labant, the route leads to the Pic de Cabanatous, a marvellous lookout point over the Étangs de Bassiès and beyond to the great summits of the Ariège. On the way back, the Étang d'Alate is the perfect place to stop for a break before heading back to the Port de Saleix, a very important ancient communication route that facilitated trade between the Couserans and Vicdessos regions.

The climb is divided into two stages: the Cirque de Garbettou, which is easy to access, with its waterfall and streams, and the steeper, rockier climb to the Étang du Garbet, with its turquoise reflections, waterfall and occasional snowfields. 26/08/2024: Allow an extra 30 minutes on average to complete this hike.