Ventenac walks

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).

Circular family loop with little elevation gain. Starting from Carla-de-Roquefort, via Lieurac and the Extraordinary Garden, then a beautiful ridge towards Le Sautel, and finally along the Douctouyre and the canal leading to an old mill.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

A very short walk in the woods to discover the Roquefort waterfalls.

A short circular hike without too much elevation gain, starting from Dun, via Pic Galinié and a beautiful view, then returning via the hamlets of Roussinergue and Saint-Pastou. For your information, there is a shorter route for this peak and in the opposite direction (hikeno. 8694819 from Echo 09).

A real little circular hike (unmarked) with the most remarkable view of the Pays de Dun, enhanced along the way by the panoramas of the Cami del Castel and the orientation table. A gem not to be missed! But be careful on the very steep descent from Pic Galinié!

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.

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.

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.

The first half of the walk takes place at the bottom of the valley and passes through fields, meadows and the Ruisseau du Sautel. It then climbs steadily up the hillsides, offering sweeping views of the valley, particularly when the trees are bare. This means that, in summer, you’ll be walking in the shade for the second half of the route.

A short, easy hike suitable for families. Splendid views over the Hers valley and the Douctouyre valley.

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.

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.

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.

A nature route! A path through valleys and ridges with magnificent views of the Monts d'Olmes. Originally route no. 14 in the Pays de Mirepoix, the signposting is now quite old.

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.

A shaded walk through the woods along the Douctouyre with some geological explanations.

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.

Circular starting from Nalzen, climbing to the village of Freychenet, then taking the Col de la Lauze road and returning via the hamlet of Gabachou. This section of road is pleasant in wet weather at the foot of Mont Fourcat.

A short family walk to the Merovingian cemetery in Tabariane from the church square in Teilhet. You will discover magnificent views of the Hers valley and the Ariège Pyrenees.

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.

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 because, at 615 m above sea level, it has nothing to be ashamed of compared to its big brother. Less imposing and much less easily accessible, but without any major technical difficulties, you do, however, have to brave the complications of its winding and unclear paths to reach its summit in the middle of the forest. This is the domain of wild boars, roe deer and other mammals and birds of this region of the Pyrenean foothills, but also of foresters who (moderately) exploit its slopes.Part of the route follows the paths of the plain, in the municipal park or the old paths along the banks of the River Lios.An unusual route, reserved for hikers seeking a challenge or runners looking to diversify their routes.

For a change from the much more popular western and eastern routes.

Circular starting from the hamlet of Prayols through the woods. Provides access to the three beautiful Cascades de la Piche waterfalls, as well as an orientation table describing the valley to the east that leads to Lavelanet. Beautiful view of Roquefixade and Mont Fourcat.

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.

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.