The Mountain Guides of the Couserans with the
chambres d'hôtes « le Clos Enchanté »

Located at the meeting point of three beautiful valleys, the area around Castillon offers a multitude of walks. Tourism professionals, we have joined together to organise a programme combining the comforts of a guest house with the services of a local mountain guide. We look on this holiday as an introduction to the beauty and wildness of the Couserans. It is a programme that lets you go walking for 3 days with a guide and 2 days on your own, with us providing maps, topoguides and advice. Dates : Sunday 8 June to Saturday 14 June 2008 Sunday 29 June to Saturday 5 July 2008 Sunday 13 July to Saturday 19 July 2008 Sunday 17 August to Saturday 23 August 2008 Price : 585 € per person in a double room. The price includes :full board in a bed and breakfast (double room)- overnight, breakfast, picnic lunch, evening meal. The services of a mountain guide of the Couserans for 3 walks, transfers in a minibus, the loan of a map and topoguide for the 2 days of unguided walking. Price does not include : beverages and personal expenses or activities not mentioned.

The little pluses of this holiday : - A picnic with a shepherd's family, sampling their products "al fresco". - The local knowledge of the professionals who will be looking after you. - The comfort and magic of the bed and breakfast. - An evening slide show on bears for those interested

Level of difficulty : for experienced hiker
Suitable for anyone in good health who walks or hikes regularly. The days consist of 5 to hours of walking with an altitude change of 700 to 1000 metres. No major difficulties or extreme heights.


Led by :

Eric Auzel, Philippe Cazes, Gorges - Henry Lardennois, Jonathan Peat, Camille Provendier, Patrice Rieu et Julien Vergne

Accommodations : in Castillon en Couserans – Ariège. Bed and Breakfast « Le Clos enchanté » 12 kms southwest of Saint Girons on the main streeet of the village. "Despite an austere façade – as it is described in one guide – once inside you will be pleasantly suprised to discover an early 19th century house that has been tastefully restored.
Our house can accommodate up to 12 people. We have several bedrooms with 2, 3 or 4 beds..

Meeting time is at the B&B « le Clos Enchanté » in Castillon en Couserans at 2 pm.

Day 1 : Settle into rooms and take a tour of the house. At 3:00, around a pot of tea, you'll meet the guide who will be leading the walks. From 4:00 to 6:30 pm will take a little walk in the nearby valley.
Upon returning to « Le Clos Enchanté », we'll sip aperitifs in the garden followed by a meal cooked over a wood fire.

Day 2 : Exploring the valley of Bellongue.
A walk around the Pic de la Calabasse. We'll start off from the Col d’Estrade (alt. 1500 m) and will make a loop of about 6 hours with 700m altitude change. This hike will be off-trail, and the views of the Aneto (the highest summit of the Pyrenees) are majestic. We'll encounter many "estives" (high mountain pastures) where horses, cows and sheep graze. It's also the land of the logopèdes (les perdrix des neiges). A day of observing large raptors, thanks to Philippe and his longue vue.

Day 3 : the valley of Biros
Départure to the hamlet of Fréchendech. We'll followi a secret path emprunterons le chemin secret de la sapinière de l’Isard et de la forêt de lumière. This is a circuit with 1000 m altitude change, off trail, in a nature reserve and therefore the territory of the large Pyreneen wildlife (isard, stag, bear...)

Day 4 : the valley of Bethmale
Départure to the barrière de Mounner. a hike along the ridgeline of the Pic de Seube in the Mont Valier reserve where we'll observe marmots et large raptors. A 6-hour circuit with 800m altitude change, often off-trail.

Days 5 and 6 : You are free walk on your own now. You'll be able to choose from a range of walks in the 3 valleys of the Castillon area. Philippe or your guide will advise you on your choice.

Day 7 : departure day; rooms must be vacated by 3 pm.

The garden is a pleasant space with a wooded park and quiet stream. Meals are served outdoors as often as possible. Produce from our vegetable garden and fruit trees are shared in perfect tranquility. Ici tout respire le plein air, le bon air de la montagne, le bio ! The guestrooms are spacious and comfortable, each with en suite bathroom..

For further information or to make a reservation, please contact : myriam.peat@wanadoo.fr

For information on all our walking tours, visit www.jonathanstours.com