Pyrenees snowshoe and winter walks

We will pick you up from the airport at Toulouse in the afternoon and transfer to ChezArran apartments in the small spa village of Ornolac Ussat les Bains, perfectly poised for your snowshoeing adventure. Visit a Cathar spouglas or hideout before dinner. Settle into your apartment, go through kit lists, plus a chance to hire or plan to acquire any other special equipment. Explore the town of Tarascon Sur Ariege and eat in a local restaurant.
Meals (D) Accommodation: Chez Arran Apartments
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Today we will visit the domaine de Chioula trekking in through beautiful beech woods to an open plateau and refuge de Chioula. In early season we shall instead start from the Plateau de Beille to explore “off piste” snowshoeing and stay in a Nordic village.
Snowshoeing 4-5hrs
Accommodation: Refuge de Chioula or at Angaka Nordic Village, Plateau de Beille (B,L,D)

In the morning after breakfast we walk out from Chouila to the col de Marmare and ascend onto the plateau de Sept Cases and the rocher de Scaramus after dropping off our night kit. This is the territory of one of the bears that was re-introduced to the area and we will talk about how animals and agriculture co-exist in the region. Route meanders between mountain forest and large snow-covered plateaus with splendid views of the Pyrenees mountains. (Transfer time ~ 4 minutes or walk out, snowshoeing time 5-6 hours) If staying at Angaka village, Beille we will either:
• Transfer by vehicle to Ax les Thermes or the col de Marmare for some more winter walking / snowshoeing or
• Include Nordic skiing hire for you at the Plateau de Beille for a change of activity and then transfer you to Ax les Thermes after a second day on Plateau de Beille. This is a non-guided activity. With enough notice we can also reserve dogsledding which is not included.
Accommodation: Ax les Thermes hotel Relais de Montagnard or similar.
(B,L,D)

Today we will head up to Ascou-Paiheres and pic Tarbesou 2364m, 5 hrs +700m or drive up to the magnificent Porte de Puymorens on the Andorran border. There is an amazing 360 panorama from Tarbesou which can be climbed in approximately 3 hours. For the Col de Puymorens we can either go up a stunning wide valley towards the Coma i Portella d’en Garcia or the Pic de la Mina (2683m). We will follow the best conditions! We will eat in the lively town of Ax Les Thermes with its cobbled streets and thermal springs walk. Tonight is our celebratory meal. Snowshoeing 5-6hrs Accommodation: Le petite montagnarde or similar Ax les Thermes.
Transfer time: Ascou Paiheres: 35 minutes Porte de Puymorens :50 minutes Meals (B,L)

Rest and relax in the morning in Ax les Thermes. A chance to visit the amazing Bains de Couloubret thermal spa. Wander the cobbled streets of Ax les Thermes and dip your feet in the sulphurous waters. Early afternoon departures back to Toulouse by train or request to stay another night. Meals (B)