ome breathe the pure air of our mountains, follow the maintained, waymarked paths that lead to views of beautiful snowcapped peaks.
Along the way you'll encounter babbling streams half-hidden by the luxuriant foliage. You'll be enchanted by the varied birdsong and you may even spot a bearded vulture, master of the skies.
Experienced guides can lead you on long hikes, and share with you their passion for these mountains and the valleys so full of history.
The mountains here are laced with footpaths used over the centuries by inhabitants and their animals to move between hamlets, barns and mountain pastures. 24 circuits are maintained and clearly marked; a brochure for each one (in French) with stages indicated, plus duration and difficulty is available from the tourist office. For walks in the high mountains we have other topoguides available.
A calendar of accompanied walks offered by several certified guides is availabe upon request.
Here are a few examples of walks you can enjoy:
 Promenade to the Ker
Communes of Biert and Massat
Difficulty : easy
Total positive Dénivelée : 200 m (590-790m)
Approx. duration : 1h50 round trip
Point of departure : riding centre "Boutou"
This walk leads to the summit of the Ker of Massat, a limestone escarpment offering a splendid view of the Massat valley.
Perforated with caves, this site was frequented often throughout history: objects from prehistory, the gallo-roman period and later were found here, and in recent centuries it was a refuge for religious sectes (a shrine to St Branda still stands on the path approaching the summit).
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 Goutets
Commune of Le Port
Difficulty : medium
Positive Dénivelée: 460 m (1020-1480m)
Approx. duration : 2h40 round trip
Point of departure : hamlet of La Foulie
The path rises gently towards the cirque of the massif of Les Trois Seigneurs, the highest point of the canton of Massat. Here you'll discover the once active pastoral life in the village of "orris" (stone shepherd's cabins) of Goutets which has been restored and is now a listed site.
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 The panorama of Joubac
Commune of Aleu
Difficulty : medium
Total positive dénivelée : 530 m (650-1040m)
Approx. duration : 3h30 round trip
Point of departure : the church of Aleu
This circuit follows a large section of the first stage of a 5-day circuit called the Tour des Montreurs d'Ours that leads through mountain hamlets and forests. Magnificent view of the mountains from the village of Aleu and from the highest point of the plateau Joubac. Magnifique vue des montagnes à partir du village d'Aleu et du sommet du Taus.
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 The Buleix circuit
Commune of Soulan
Difficulty : easy
Total positive dénivelée : 500 m (500-800m)
Approx. duration : 2h round trip
Point of departure : hamlet of Buleix
This walk follows the old footpaths that cross the "souleille" or "soulane" (the southern slopes) of the commune of Soulan, passing through several dispersed hamlets. Thanks to the favourable exposure and gentle slopes Soulan has the highest concentration of cattle and dairy farms in Ariège.
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 Le tour du roc de Peyre Caussil
Commune of Boussenac
Difficulty : medium
Total positive dénivelée : 420 m (1095-1504m)
Approx. duration : 3h20 round trip
Point of departure : forest track off the D17 between the Col des Caougnous and the Tour Laffont
Mountain walk passing through varied botanical environments (beech stands, prairies of juniper and bracken; a superb view from ridge to the south over the Arac valley and the principal summits and to the north over the plain.
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 The shepherds' path
Commune of Massat
Difficulty : easy
Total positive dénivelée : 270 m (600-800m)
Approx. duration : 2h40 round trip
Point of departure : riding centre "Boutou"
This walk follows the footpaths that were once used by shepherds, which allowed them to move from the valley floor to the mountain pastures situated on the northeast slopes of Massat and linked numerous scattered hamlets as well.
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