Horseback riding on the ridges of the Tabes massif in Ariège

After preparing our horses and having a briefing on the equipment and the horses, we set off on foot with our horses, then mount up and begin our ride. We leave Camurac and cross the Plan du Boum. From the Pas de l'Ours, we can see the Château de Montségur and overlook the Gorges de la Frau. We enter the Langarail summer pasture, where the herds graze freely all summer long. From the Langarail ridge, the view over the valley is magnificent. We descend to the Sault plateau and follow the Cathar Trail. After a few exhilarating gallops, we reach our gîte.

We took advantage of the rolling paths of the Sault plateau to pick up the pace, then descended into the small Rebenty valley. We crossed the Rebenty gorges, then climbed back up towards the village of Mazubi and began a steep ascent towards the high mountains. We entered the Mazubi summer pasture where cows, sheep, and horses graze each year. We stopped just below the Pic d'Ourtisset (1933m) where our refuge was located in the middle of the pasture. The view of the surrounding mountains was magnificent.

We leave our refuge and continue across the summer pastures, following the herds' tracks towards the Col de Paillhères at 2000 meters altitude. From the pass, we reach a ridge line offering splendid views of the Dent d'Orlu (2222m) and the entire Ariège mountain range. We cross the Col du Pradel and, after a magnificent day at altitude, we descend back to the village of Prades. A long and breathtaking day.

We leave Prades heading towards the Col de Marmare. We descend on foot into the Caoussou valley, then, once on horseback, cross several villages perched on the ridge above the Ariège valley. The Romanesque churches in these high-altitude villages are all remarkable. We hike all day along a trail overlooking the Tabes Massif and spend the night at the Gîte d'Appy.

We take a steep path towards Mont Fourcat. The skill of our horses is truly put to the test. We gain altitude very quickly and reach the summit of Mont Fourcat at over 2,000 meters. The view is breathtaking; this viewpoint is set apart from the rest of the mountain range, allowing us to see the central Pyrenees on one side and the entire valley on the other. We descend on foot towards the Couloir. We continue on horseback towards Fremis. We descend back into the valley and stop at our gîte. From the gîte, we can see the Pyrenees Baraques and the Château de Montségur.

We leave Montferrier and climb up the valley to the pass at the foot of Montségur Castle. This vertiginous citadel was the site of the final stages of the crusade against the Cathars, and nearly 200 of them were burned at the stake here. We descend towards the village of Montségur and, after another pass, reach the hamlet of Pelail and begin our ascent through the Gorges de la Frau. Limestone cliffs nearly 400 meters high tower above us. After this final climb, we reach the Aillou plateau, where we can enjoy some exhilarating gallops before continuing on to Camurac.

Departure from the Marmite gîte and possible transfer of riders after breakfast.