Horses grazing in a meadow surrounded by mountainsSeveral black horses are grazing in a green meadow surrounded by mountains. A large wooden and stone house is visible in the background, with forested hills and rocks in the distance.
©The horses enjoy the greenery of the mountains.

Escape to the Pyrenees

One night in a forest gîte
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A few nights in a forest gîte to recharge your batteries: that’s the family project. Near Le Port de Lers, my parents and some friends have booked a secluded forest gîte in the mountains of the Ariège Pyrenees nature park for a few nights: it’s going to be our haven of peace. I’m a biology student, and it’s been a long, busy year… Exams are finally over, and I need a breath of fresh air, a real break and some peace and quiet – that’s my priority right now. So I decided to join them.

Getting there

To our refuge

On the road

Heading for the Auzat-Vicdessos valley, before taking the mythical Port de Lers road into the Couserans, we stop off at the Tourist Office. Agnès takes the time to show us all the hiking trails close to the gîte. She explains that this forest lodging belongs to a network of several refuges run by the Office National des Forêts, and that it’s possible to hike from one to the other with a mountain leader and a logistician all summer long…. For us, this accommodation will be our “refuge” for a few nights.

A cyclist with a bike on a mountain roadA cyclist with a helmet and sunglasses stands on a mountain road. He is wearing a blue jersey and has a bike next to him. A green and blue sign indicates 'Col du Port de Lers OUVERT'. The road is surrounded by green hills and rocks under a clear blue sky.
©A cyclist prepares to climb a mountain road with a sign indicating 'Col du Port de Lers OUVERT'.|Stéphane MEURISSE
Two hikers walking on a mountain trail with lakes belowTwo hikers are walking on a mountain trail. The trail is surrounded by rocks and vegetation. Below, several mountain lakes reflect the blue sky. The surrounding mountains are visible in the distance.
©Mountain landscapes offer breathtaking views.
Pink and green flowers by a lake with mountains in the backgroundPink and green flowers grow by the edge of a calm lake, reflecting the surrounding mountains. The sky is clear and blue, adding to the serenity of the scene.
©A peaceful view of pink and green flowers by a lake, with mountains in the background.|STEPHANE MEURISSE

    It climbs

    On the march to the refuge

    With all this information in mind, we set off on our ascent towards the Col. We meet cyclists in full effort on this winding ascent to the top… At a bend in the road before our arrival, a number of cars are parked, indicating the departure point forEtangd’Arbu, which my father has planned for our stay… We arrive close to the Col, park our vehicle and start walking towards the gîte “Terre d’Avenir”, a name which will bring me good luck for the result of my exam.

    Two cyclists are pedaling on a winding road near a mountain lakeTwo cyclists in sportswear are pedaling on a winding road near a mountain lake. The landscape is lush with hills and trees in the background. The sky is slightly cloudy, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
    ©Two cyclists enjoy a bike ride in a preserved natural setting.|STEPHANEMEURISSE
    Panoramic view of lush green mountains with valleys and lakesPanoramic view of lush green mountains with valleys and lakes. The peaks are covered with dense forests and rocks, while the valleys are dotted with lakes and lush vegetation. The sky is clear with a few scattered clouds.
    ©A spectacular mountainous landscape with lush valleys and sparkling lakes.

    A mountain chalet

    A change of scenery guaranteed

    At the bend in the trail that takes us there, we’re pleasantly surprised to discover a beautiful stone and wood mountain chalet set in a wild, natural setting that’s perfect for a change of scenery and relaxation. It’s secluded, surrounded by trees in the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional des Pyrénées Ariégeoises.

    We settle in: the gîte can accommodate a dozen people, it’s simple, cool and pleasant, with a superb view, and the weather is magnificent. Our stomachs remind us that it’s time for lunch… We listen to Agnès, who has advised us to go and have a picnic by the Etang de Lers, a few kilometers away.

    Horses grazing in a meadow surrounded by mountainsSeveral black horses are grazing in a green meadow surrounded by mountains. A large wooden and stone house is visible in the background, with forested hills and rocks in the distance.
    ©The horses enjoy the greenery of the mountains.
    Two people on a dock by a mountain lakeTwo people are standing on a wooden dock by a mountain lake. The lake is surrounded by lush green hills and mountains. The sky is clear, and the reflection of the trees and hills can be seen on the calm water surface.
    ©A moment of tranquility by a mountain lake surrounded by greenery.

      Magic place

      Surprise, the scenery is absolutely exceptional, the mountain lake superb and directly accessible by car. Free-roaming black Mérens horses, paragliders in the sky, the place, surrounded by high peaks where there’s still a little snow, is a real postcard.

      Lers pond

      Everything but swimming

      I approach the water, which is very clear but really cold, and announce to the group that I’m going to skip the swim… Laughter breaks out as Dad informs me that the pond is reserved for fishing!

      An adult and a child fishing by the side of a lake surrounded by treesAn adult and a child are sitting on rocks by the side of a lake, surrounded by dense vegetation. They hold a fishing rod and appear focused on their activity. The lake reflects the surrounding trees and the clear sky.
      ©A moment of bonding between an adult and a child during a fishing trip.|STEPHANE MEURISSE
      Pink and green flowers by a lake with mountains in the backgroundPink and green flowers grow by the edge of a calm lake, reflecting the surrounding mountains. The sky is clear and blue, adding to the serenity of the scene.
      ©A peaceful view of pink and green flowers by a lake, with mountains in the background.|STEPHANE MEURISSE
      People having a picnic by a lake surrounded by greenerySeveral people are sitting on a grassy bank by a lake. They are surrounded by trees and lush vegetation. The lake reflects the surrounding green hills. One person stands near the water, possibly fishing.
      ©A group of people enjoy a picnic by a peaceful lake.|STEPHANE MEURISSE

      Now that's vacation!

      Here we are

      We take our time, it feels good, my vacation can finally begin…

      A paraglider flying over a green hillA paraglider is taking off from a green hill under a clear blue sky. The paraglider is purple and stands out against the mountainous landscape in the background. Two other people are present on the hill, watching the takeoff.
      ©A paraglider takes off into the blue sky with a purple paraglider.|STEPHANEMEURISSE
      Two cyclists are pedaling on a winding road near a mountain lakeTwo cyclists in sportswear are pedaling on a winding road near a mountain lake. The landscape is lush with hills and trees in the background. The sky is slightly cloudy, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere.
      ©Two cyclists enjoy a bike ride in a preserved natural setting.|STEPHANEMEURISSE
      Two people on a dock by a mountain lakeTwo people are standing on a wooden dock by a mountain lake. The lake is surrounded by lush green hills and mountains. The sky is clear, and the reflection of the trees and hills can be seen on the calm water surface.
      ©A moment of tranquility by a mountain lake surrounded by greenery.
      Black horse with a shaggy mane in a mountainous landscapeA black horse with a shaggy mane stands in an open field. Mountains are visible in the background, creating a serene and natural landscape. The horse looks to the right, with a cloudy sky above.
      ©A black horse stands majestically in a field with mountains in the background.|STEPHANEMEURISSE

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        Preparing your stay

        LIVE INTENSELY

        Experiences in the Ariège Pyrenees
        Northern ambience at Beille
        Prehistory in love
        A day of canyoning with friends
        Skiing in the fir trees at Ax 3 Domaines
        My anti-burn-out cure at Ussat-les-Bains
        Family outing on the Plateau de Beille
        Family getaway in Donezan
        My thermal water wellness day at Ax-les-Thermes
        Nature immersion in Orlu
        I’ll be arriving by train for a mountain adventure
        Immersion in the mountain spirit
        I’ll be arriving by train for a car-free adventure !
        Ariege's little extras
        The Ariege Pyrenees, your oxygen bubble!

        Looking for unspoilt nature, the great outdoors and white water?
        In winter, ski, snowboard, skating, snowshoeing, sledging and dog sledding at Ax 3 Domaines, Beille, Ascou and le Chioula, Mijanés and Goulier...

        In summer, hiking, mountain biking, paragliding or canyoning...

        And all year round, enjoy the benefits of the thermal waters at Ax-les-Thermes, Ussat-les-Bains or the Bains du Couloubret.
        And don't miss the Grotte de Niaux and the Parc de la Préhistoire.

        Not forgetting the history of our mountains and their heritage, pastoralism and local produce!

        Book your next mountain vacation!