Meet Your Mount and Set Off

After breakfast you’ll be collected from your B&B and taken to the stables to meet your mount for the next 5 days.

This first day will be a good introduction to the type of riding you can expect in the course of your trek, as your guide, Chantal, takes you up to a pristine Natura 2000 site where horses graze during the summer months.

You’ll have a lunch break at the Chapelle de l’Isard and soak up the sounds of Nature that surround you before continuing your trek on mountain paths and tracks back down to the valley below.

Time in the saddle – approx 5h

At the end of your ride you’ll return to your guest house in Sentein for a second night.

Ascending the Pyrenees

Today you’ll head high on a real mountain experience, crossing high mountain passes and absorbing the far-reaching views of the rugged peaks that form the border with Spain.

You’ll cross from the Biros Valley up and over a mountain pass at 1200m alt, through mountain pastures where horses roam, absorbing the far-reaching and breathtakingly beautiful views of the higher mountains that form the border with Spain.

After around 6 hours in the saddle you’ll arrive at your overnight in the little village of Saint Lary in the Bellongue valley

The traditional auberge serves fabulous food and the guest rooms are comfortable and well equipped.

Villages Where Time Stands Still

Today’s route takes you on part of the Saint Jean de Compostella route, along paths and tracks that have been used for centuries by traders and pilgrims.

First, you’ll ride up to the authentic little village of Portet d’Aspet at the head of the Bellongue valley where you’ll join the paths and tracks of the Saint Jean de Compostella, an ancient route used by pilgrims and mountain traders for centuries.

As you then make your way back down the Bellongue valley, you’ll pass through more authentic little villages where time appears to have stood still, noticing the unique architectural style of the buildings along the way.

Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to pick up the pace on these gentler paths and stop occasionally to refresh yourself and your horse at one of the many fountains and drinking troughs that have been serving weary travellers since forever.

After around 5 hours in the saddle you’ll reach the head of the valley where your overnight in a traditional Ariège farmhouse awaits.

You’ll see to your horses needs and let them loose in the paddock before treating yourself to a good shower after your day in the saddle.

Marion will treat you to a delicious home-cooked evening meal created from fresh local produce.

Explore Bethmale Valley

After breakfast you’ll head back out in the direction of the picturesque Bethmale valley, initially on paths and tracks with a descending profile, passing through the villages of Castillon-en-Couserans and Bordes-Uchentein, stopping to let the horses paddle in the river beside a pretty Romanesque church en route.

From there, your route takes you up towards a picturesque mountainside hamlet on the edge of the valley where you’ll find the peaceful guest house which will be your home for the night.

The guest house has a wonderful south-facing terrace with expansive mountain views which is the most perfect spot from which to unwind at the end of your day in the saddle.

Your host is renowned for his cooking and will provide you with a delicious evening meal created from local, seasonal produce.

Discover Marble Quarries

On your last day in the saddle, your return route to the Biros valley will take you through yet more picturesque traditional villages and on up to mountainside paths with more of those spectacular vistas of the high mountains.

Along the way and if weather permits, you may be able to visit the former pink marble quarry above the hamlet of Balacet which was at the heart of local industry from 1867 until 1977.

Imagine how on earth workers were able to move the 6 to 14 tonne blocks of marble from the quarry at 1215m altitude to the village below, without the mechanisation that we have today!

Once you’ve arrived back down in the valley, you’ll de-tack, brush and feed your trusty steed and then it will be time to say goodbye. A sad moment after 5 days in their company.

You’ll be transferred back down the valley to Marion’s B&B where you stayed during your trek and where you’ll spend your final night in the Ariège Pyrénées.

Departure Day

After breakfast, it’s time to leave this beautiful area. You’ll be collected by taxi and transferred back to Toulouse for your onward journey home.

We hope you have had an unforgettable experience in the French Pyrenees, discovering places you would never find on a solo trip, and will come back to visit the mountains and the horses again soon.