The Pyrenees of the Cathars

Arrival in the afternoon.

Dinner, night and breakfast at a guest house.

9 km stage, total uphill 150 metres, approximate time 3hrs.
Transfer to Prades where you will park your vehicle for the entire holiday.
First steps in handling a donkey.

Your first outing will help you and your travelling companion to get to know each other.  You go through Montaillou, a tiny village of about 20 inhabitants.  Why not walk up to the Château ruins from where you get a terrific view over the upper valley of the river Hers. Then after a passage through the forest, you come in sight of  Belcaire whose little lake lends itself splendidly to a refreshing dip after the day’s walk!

Dinner, night and breakfast at the guest house in Comus.

2 options: 11 km stage, total uphill 600 metres. Around 4hrs00.

Starting from Comus you gradually gain height overlooking the valley till you come to a pretty, open plateau typical of the Pyrenees, the Pla de Boum. The second part of the route leads you into the state-owned forest ('domaine') of La Plaine, then you come to a phenomenal panoramic view including the lofty Cathar Castle of Montségur and the plunging Gorges of La Frau. 
If you prefer, you can also descend into the Gorge de la Frau.  Look up ! You are entering a mountain bird paradise. The Gorges are home to a wide variety of nesting birds of prey, as welle as smaller birds specialising in the vertical environment. Scan the sky and have fun looking for their silhouettes.
Dinner, night and breakfast at the guest house in Comus.

Short stage of 11 km with total uphill 500m. Around 4h00. Or Long stage of 15 km with total uphill 845m. Around 5hrs30.

As you leave Comus, you will come to Prades by skirting the mountain on a pretty little path through undergrowth.
At the halfway point, you can choose between 2 routes.
The more strenuous route takes you through the Bois de Font Frède, along a lovely climb in the shade that gives you magnificent views of the Pyrenean mountains.
The shorter, easier stage takes you along the long-distance footpath (GR) that runs along the valley floor.
A final effort through the woods will bring you to the Refuge du Chioula, situated at an altitude of 1,600 metres and boasting a surprisingly restful atmosphere.

Dinner, night and breakfast in the Refuge du Chioula.

10km stage with total uphill 150m. Around 3hrs30.

For this ultimate (mainly downhill) ramble, you follow the Chemin des Bonhommes (literally 'the path of good men'), which was taken by the last of the exiled Cathars hundreds of years ago. After you reach the highest point of your adventure, the Col de Balaguès - 1669 metres - you may like to take the time to look at the typical mountain flora at your feet: gispet (Festuca Eskia - tall fescue), gentiane ( gentian), aconit - wolfsbane to Harry Potter!, myrtillier (blueberry). Then, along a somewhat narrow path you descend progressively to Prades, 1250metres, a truly calm and authentic village, where you pick up your own vehicle.

Departure late afternoon 
Optional addition: extra night at Ax les Thermes.