In summary
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Sports
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Duration3 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationAriège / Pyrenees
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AgeFrom 14 - 75 years
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CO₂-Emissions32.84 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
Discover the magic of the mountains in winter , far from the ski resorts. Put on your snowshoes and explore trails and Nordic landscapes . Come and savor the discreet and fragile charm of nature asleep in the heart of the snow-covered peaks , cross forests where the song of the few remaining birds echoes in the silence, try to recognize animal tracks in the snow, enjoy your picnic by a fire that you will have lit with your guide... these are just some of the experiences to be had on this trip.
This stay is an invitation to slow down: appreciate the simple things and the little moments of happiness that the mountains offer in winter, the warmth of a wood fire , the conviviality of a meal shared around a large table and the cozy nights under a good duvet!
The highlights
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Accommodation in a small, cozy and comfortable cottage
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Loan of snowshoes and poles
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Group size: maximum 8 people
Photos
christel - verified review - march 2025
christel - verified review - march 2025
Nadège - verified review - march 2025
Nadège - verified review - march 2025
Nadège - verified review - march 2025
Nadège - verified review - march 2025
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
In figures
Snowshoes
- Average duration/day: 4h
- Average distance/day: 8 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 294 m
- Average daily descent: 294 m
Management
French
You will be guided by Damien, a mountain guide and expert on the region, having lived here for over 20 years. He will help you discover our mountains safely and with passion!
Program
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From village to village
- Transportation Minibus - 00h30 - 25km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Distance 6 km
- Positive elevation gain 200 m
- Negative elevation 200 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
This first hike will be a gentle warm-up for all of us. We'll follow paths and tracks that were, and sometimes still are, used by the farmers and shepherds of the valley. This route will offer the opportunity to discover life in our small mountain villages , as well as beautiful views of the surrounding peaks. After completing this charming loop through fields and forests, sometimes snow-covered, we'll reach the small town of Ax-les-Thermes where you can experience the benefits of the warm thermal waters with a restorative foot bath (a post-hike or post-ski practice that has become a true institution here!): definitely worth trying!
Day 1 -
Following in the footsteps of charcoal burners
- Transportation Minibus - 00h40 - 20km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 8 km
- Positive elevation gain 300 m
- Negative elevation 300 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
For this second day of hiking, we will explore a forest of majestic and unique trees, searching for clues left by the people who have shaped this space over hundreds of years. Once we emerge from the forest, we will reach a small cabin perched on a ridge , facing a breathtaking panorama that we will have ample time to contemplate from this cozy vantage point; this shelter will allow us to share our meal by a fire that we will light together.
The rest of the hike will take us through vast expanses bordered by gigantic fir trees , before we begin the descent on a wide path carved into the mountainside.
Day 2 -
Gourmet hike
- Transportation Minibus - 00h30 - 40km
- Activity Snowshoes
- Duration of the activity 4h45
- Distance 8 km
- Positive elevation gain 380 m
- Negative elevation 380 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
This final day will be a feast for both your eyes and your taste buds ! Our trek will begin on a gently sloping path winding through a beech and fir forest. We'll then reach a more open landscape, which we'll traverse to reach a mid-altitude mountain refuge . There, Alvaro, the warden , will give us a warm welcome on the sunny terrace, facing the mountains (weather permitting, of course!). Only after a delicious blueberry tart will we put our snowshoes back on to explore a few more wild areas before returning to the forest trail that will lead us back to our starting point.
Day 3
Note
The program is provided for informational purposes only.
Unforeseen circumstances and situations beyond our control may lead us to modify the course of the stay : weather, snow conditions, safety , participants' skill level, etc.
We may therefore have to modify the route or location of the hike depending on these elements, or even cancel an outing if the conditions are really too bad; a replacement activity will then be offered.
Accommodation
You will be staying in a comfortable, tastefully renovated gîte, where wood blends seamlessly with simple yet high-quality materials. Nestled in the heart of a small village in Ariège and surrounded by mountains, the accommodation of Marie and Damien , your hosts, is a place where it's good to live, share, recharge, and relax.
Access
Go to the starting point
🚂 Transfers from the train station to the accommodation and from the accommodation to the train station are included in the price of the stay.
🚘 Orgeix municipal parking lot, 100m from the gîte.
Price details
The price includes
- 2 nights in a gîte (hostel) in a shared double or twin room
- Full board
- The hikes are led by a qualified professional.
- Transfers to and from the train station
- Transfers by minibus to the starting points of hikes
The price does not include
- Transportation to the meeting point
- Drinks
- Personal expenses
Options
- Extra night BEFORE stay - Single room : CHF43.91 / unit
- Extra night BEFORE stay - Double room : CHF76.84 / unit
- Extra night AFTER your stay - Single room : CHF43.91 / unit
- Additional night AFTER stay - 2 people in a DOUBLE room : CHF76.84 / unit
- Savory breakfast : CHF13.72 / reservation
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- Snowshoes
- Winter telescopic poles
- Anti-slip walking crampons
- A lunchbox for a midday picnic
- Soft, "Crocs-type" clogs
Equipment to bring
- 1 backpack, approximately 30L
- 1 pair of sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- 1 water bottle of 1L to 1.5L
- 1 hiking mug
- 1 folding pocket knife
- Hiking cutlery
- 1 front light if you have
- 1 survival blanket
- Camera
- Binoculars
Clothing to bring
- 1 beanie
- 1 cap
- 1 pair of gloves
- 1 pair of thin gloves
- 3 t-shirts
- 1 set of thermal underwear (tights and long-sleeved t-shirt)
- 1 fleece-type jacket
- 1 lightweight and compressible down jacket
- 1 windproof, waterproof and breathable jacket with hood
- 1 pair of ski touring or trekking trousers with waterproof overtrousers
- 3 pairs of warm socks (ski sock type)
- 1 pair of après-ski boots
- Comfortable clothes for the evening
- 1 pair of non-slip oversocks for the upper floors of the cottage (optional)
They traveled with us
