Village of Montferrier in Montferrier: Ariège Pyrenees

Stone of sacrifice (hamlet of Peyregade): this stone, which according to local legend is a stone of sacrifice, is marked with crosses still visible around its edge. While walking through the undergrowth, you can observe a very small shelter built in a stone wall which borders the path. Further on, some dry stone terraces and on the left “at 11:00” a very beautiful view of the Monts d’Olmes ski resort.
►From Montferrier join the hamlet via Barthalé, Marsol and continue straight uphill. In the hamlet, pass under a narrow porch and park at “Place Laffont”. Follow the yellow markings and the arrows on the trail: approximately 1 hour round trip.

The Moulzoune pond / Fangas and Porteille talc mine: the surroundings of the pond have been fitted out with picnic tables and barbecues. The pond is artificial and is used for breeding Atlantic salmon. It is emptied every year in October. Just above the pond, the old talc mines have left some “stigmata” on the slopes; the ruins of the barracks recall the life of the former miners who exploited the open-air mine from April to October.
►Take direction Montségur, then the road which leads to the Monts d’Olmes station. 5 km after the junction, turn left on the forest road to the car park. The lake is a 15-minute walk away.

The church: its construction dates back to the end of the 13th century and beginning of the 14th century. The religious building suffered from the wars of reform. The bell tower dates from the 13th century. Oratory of Saint-Roch (Barthalé): it was built in 1856-1857 following a wish made by the parish.
►At the entrance to the village of Barthalé on the right coming from Montferrier.☻

VIEWS
The peak of Saint-Barthélemy (2348m): each massif has its mythical summits, Saint-Barthélemy is one of them. This superb belvedere allows you to admire the site of Montségur and the entire country of Olmes on one side, and on the other the open-air talc quarry of Trimouns, as well as the peaks of the Ariège and Aude Pyrenees. .
►The access route is described in the topo-guide “Walks and hikes in Pays d’Olmes”.

Mount Fourcat (2001m): lower than the peak of Saint-Barthélemy and more accessible, Mount Fourcat also offers a belvedere over the entire upper Ariège, the cirque of the Tabe massif, lower Ariège and the Toulouse plain, up to at the foothills of the Central massif.
►The access route is described in the topo-guide “Walks and hikes in Pays d’Olmes”.