What can be better than walking and hiking through the French Pyrenees?
The Mountains offer something for all levels of walking or hiking experience. 
For the hiker with climbing experience the HRP follows the line of the peaks. The GR10 walk follows a less severe line along the Pyrenees or the GR7 which touches the medieval town of Mirepoix. If you’d like a more leisurely circuit walk then you could try one on the sixteen circuits in the canton of Massat, which is only a 45 minute drive from Maison Famille.
For families with children we hold a book called “les sentiers d’Emilie en Ariege: 50 promenades tres faciles” This is a book containing 50 walks especially for children.
For those longer walks and days out with small children why not hire a donkey to make things easier. For more information, click the links.
Panoramane Donkeys
Baladane Donkeys
The area has something for everyone, from snow-capped peaks, lush green valleys, forests dappled with sunlight, all in a sunny climate – a walker’s paradise!
You can walk along part of the medieval pilgrim route to St Jacques de Compostella or follow Sentier Cathare and visit the 11th and 12th century strongholds of the Cathares at Foix and Montségur which resisted a crusade. The Chemin de la Liberté commemorates one of the secret escape routes into Spain used by resisters, refugees and stranded allied airmen during the Second World War.
Or just take in one of the many day walks such as that to the spectacular Ars waterfall, starting from above Aulus-les-bains. In July and August rangers from the Office National des Forêts offer 8 hour guided walks in the Mont Valier nature reserve.
All the major routes and many minor ones have been waymarked but as the markings are not renewed every year, a map is essential.
The mountains are laced with footpaths that have been used for centuries. Sixteen circuits in the canton of Massat have been cleared and waymarked; you can obtain a brochure with a detailed map and description of each walk from the tourist office.
Families will find that many routes are quite suitable for young children. The walks are not strenuous but have enough variation in terrain and natural features like waterfalls and outcroppings to interest both adults and children. Particularly recommended is the Cirque de Cagateille, which has been called a “little Gavarnie.”
Hiring a donkey or two allows families with small children to enjoy longer walks than they might otherwise manage.
As in all mountainous areas you must be prepared when hiking, no matter how good the weather when you start. As well as a good map carry a whistle, compass, survival sack and enough extra food and water.
About dogs: it is not a good idea to bring a dog with you into the higher elevations in the summer as they may disturb the sheep, cows and horses that graze in the high mountain pastures (the “estives”) and risk being attacked by the herd dogs that guard them. At the Orlu and Mont Valier natural reserves they are forbidden altogether.