_{Walks with donkeys in the Ariège Pyrenees}

Day minus 1 : the evening before your departure we receive you at Panoram'âne for the initiation walk and to give you any necessary explanations of the trip. Possibility of overnight accommodations with full board here in a tent or caravane.
Day 1 : over ancient paths passing through hamlets and typical villages (Aleu, Cominac), offering beautiful views over the massifs of Bassiès and the Mont Valier, you'll come to Roume, Hans and Marianne's place. They will receive you in their pretty, very personalised home (Marianne is a writer and Hans a painter) and will share a meal prepared with organically grown produce..

Day 2 : After crossing the Garbet river, you will climb up to the mountain pastures (estives) above Ercé just opposite the peak called Le Picou. You'll stay the night on the Besset estive in a barn that has been restored fairly rudimentarily (water tap outside) but is in a very beautiful setting. Manu and Patricia (your hosts the next night) will come up to bring you food. The estive is where horses, cows and sheep pass the summer months -- the vegetation is particularly varied..

Day 3 (or 4) : You cross the Garbet and arrive at Serres to stay at Patricia and Manu's farm. You'll stay in their pretty cabins arranged as dormitories and offer you an evening meal grilled over a wood fire in a warm and friendly atmosphere). The children will be able to go see the goats with Patricia. If you wish you can spend an extra day here to rest.

Day 4 : Still following the Garbet valley trail, passing through hamlets with a traditional, rural mountain lifestyle, you climb up the Tuc du Four and reach Panoram'âne via Galas d'en Bas, a hamlet clinging to the mountainside. Walking time: 4 hours
Possibility of spending the night at Panoram'âne while sharing your impressions around a good table.

You can also extend the gîte circuit:
Day 4 : from Serres, you go to the gîte d'étape "Terre Pure" (also a Buddist centre) via the beautiful village of Soulan, below the col d'Ayens.
Day 5 : by a magificent ridge trail you reach the gîte d'étape Cavalus (a horse farm) below the col de la Crouzette.
Day 7 : return to Panoram'âne.

The day before departure we receive you and take you on an initiation walk to accustom you to walking with a donkey and to explain how the trip will proceed. We'll share an evening meal with you (possibility of staying the night at half-board).

Day 1 : You'll walk to the col d'Ayens (1000m elevation) where you will camp in the meadow at our friend Jean's house. In the evening this warm Ariégois who loves the mountains will regale you with savoury local lore and teach you to recognise all the peaks.

Day 2 : The second stage brings you to the Plateau de Guirel (a beautiful site) near the horseriding centre Cavalus (you can tent camp or stay in their gîte and have an evening meal if you prefer).

Day 3 : You pass over the Col de la Crouzette (1241m) and the Col de Péguère (1375m). Then the trail winds between the Cap de Carmil (1617m) and the Pic de Razels (1600m). The view is exceptional: to the left is the Toulouse plain while to the right the Pyreneen chain reveals is most beautiful summits. Bivouac near the Pic de Razel.

Day 4 : descent to the Col de Port (1250m). Then climb back up towards the high summer pastures above Liers. Overnight near to Liers.

Day 5 : Reach Massat via pretty hamlets and camp overnight at the farm L'Azaigouat.

Day 6 : Bivouac near the col de Vieille Morte and on Day 7 return to Panoramâne via the Col de Boulogne.

Wilder option (2 extra days) : From Liers you regain the estives of Goutets, the Etang (lake) de Lers and return via the Col de Dret.

PRICE :
Donkey hire : 220 €/week + intiation walk (50€)
1st/last night camping at Panoram'ane :
5 €/adult et 2,50 €/child under 10 yrs
or in 1/2 pension (includes evening meal and breakfast) : 25 €/adult. and 20 €/child under 10 yrs
IGN Map : 2047ET plus our own topoguide