Donkey trekking and tree climbing – La Ferme aux Anes

Ideal circuit for families with children over 6 years old or for groups of adults looking for unusual activities.
You leave from Prades in Ariège and you quietly reach the Chioula refuge where you sleep.
The next day, an easy hike takes you to Robin and the beautiful tree he has chosen to introduce you to tree climbing. During the session, you will acquire autonomy in movement, which will allow you to move from branch to branch in complete safety. And why not relax for a while on a perched hammock?
After a moment of discussion over a snack of local products, you will head back to the Chioula refuge.
The next day, a beautiful day of hiking takes you back to Prades4

Route description:

1st Day: from PRADES (1250 m) to the CHIOULA REFUGE (1600 m) - Duration 2 hours

From Prades, you climb up to the Col de Marmare, from where you reach, through summer pastures and forests, the Chioula refuge and its magnificent panorama of the Pyrenean ridges. After dropping off your belongings at the refuge, you can, if you wish to continue your walk, set off again for a one-hour circular walk around the refuge.
Chioula Refuge.
The hike starts in the small village of Prades in Ariège (09110), not to be confused with the town of Prades in the Pyrénées Orientales.

2nd Day: Hike to the Col du Chioula and afternoon tree climbing with Robin de Haut Perché

You take advantage of your morning to go for a hike with the donkey alternating between forest and open spaces. Then you go down the track leading to the Col du Chioula. You enjoy a beautiful view and can observe the local flora: gentian, broom, ferns, beeches...
You can have a picnic or a meal at the La Marmotte Toquée restaurant located at Col du Chioula.
At 13:30 p.m., you will meet Robin, a qualified tree climbing instructor, at the tree climbing site located near the Col du Chioula. He will introduce you to the trees and the equipment to use to explore the treetops. The activity lasts 2 hours during which you will have time to familiarize yourself with the tree, which becomes a real companion for play and discovery.
At the end of the session, you gather around a snack made from local products. It is a real moment of exchange where everyone can express their impressions.
At the end of the afternoon, you reach the Chioula refuge.
The tree climbing activity can take place in the company of other families. The total number of participants is limited to 10 people.

3rd Day: from the Chioula Refuge (1600 m) to PRADES (1250 m) - Duration 4 hours

It's a beautiful day in the mountains, through forests and mountain pastures. You reach Prades, the starting point of your hike...and the arrival point. It's already time to say goodbye to your sweet, big-eared traveling companions!

Accommodation:

Accommodation is at the Chioula refuge, in small dormitories with 4 to 10 beds.

For your nights in the refuge you must bring a bag of sheets, sleeping bag or sleeping bag and your toiletries. The refuge will provide you with blankets.
Rooms or small dormitories can be shared with other families.
Showers at the Chioula refuge are chargeable (in addition to half-board)
A donkey park is set up near the refuge, with hay or grass and water. You leave your donkeys there for the night.

The donkeys

*They are intended to carry your luggage and possibly your young children, under your responsibility and on certain sections of the route. Children must be able to stand alone (so be at least 2,5 years old) and must be supervised to avoid any problems (drowsiness). Your child's head must be protected by a helmet or a helmet, such as a mountain bike helmet. If you do not have a helmet, please let us know so that we can lend you one.
When carrying a child on its back, the donkey must be constantly held on a lead by an adult. For the smallest, you must take a baby carrier that will allow you to put the child on your back if he tends to fall asleep.

*Their equipment: Each donkey is equipped with a halter, a lead rope, a wooden pack saddle and 2 large backpacks attached to each side of the pack saddle.
It can carry 35 kg, or the luggage of 2 to 3 hikers.
The load must be perfectly balanced (17-18 kg on each side). Only light loads (mattresses, etc.) can be placed above the animal, in order to avoid exhausting it or unbalancing it.

* Donkey food and overnight stay: A park is set up for donkeys near the accommodation points.

Preparing for your hike

Departure days are free.

It takes about an hour to prepare your hike: study the route, organize your luggage. To make the most of the first day, you should start the hike at the end of the morning (around 10-11 am). Also, you should either come to Unac the day before in the afternoon, or arrive in Unac or Prades (09110), in the morning around 9:XNUMX am.
It takes about an hour to prepare your hike: study the route, organize your luggage.

This hike can be done from May to October.

The IGN Ax-les-Thermes 2148 ET map at 1/25000 is provided to you.
Supplies

There are no grocery stores along the way. You must therefore arrive with the necessary items (including your first picnic). For the following day(s), the refuge can prepare picnics for you, if you reserve them in advance.
For water, bring one water bottle per person, which you can fill up along the way if necessary.

The climate in Haute Ariège is that of the mid-mountains, with its very contrasting climate: the heat of full sun during the day and surprising coolness at night.
So plan for:
* walking shoes and light shoes for the evening,
* a change of clothes, a warm sweater, a hat for the sun,
* rainwear (waterproof poncho),
* water bottle, flashlight, notebook, pen, lighter, knife, string,
* pharmacy, protective cream and sunglasses,
* plastic bags to wrap things in the bag (very effective in case of rain) and to take your trash back down,

For the tree climbing activity, remember to plan:
* closed shoes, preferably high tops
* pants or jogging pants
* long hair tied up
* glasses cord
* 1 liter of water/person
donkey hikeSOS donkey service

If you have a problem with the donkey during your hike, we will replace it free of charge during the day.

Your dog

From a regulatory point of view, your dog can accompany you on hikes.
After a period of adaptation and mutual observation, he will live with the donkeys.
However, you have to take into account that this does not simplify the organization of your hike. It is sometimes difficult to manage everything at the same time: the donkey or donkeys, the children, the luggage, the map to follow the right path and... the dog. Especially since you sometimes have to keep your distance from the donkey with the dog on a leash.
You will ensure that your dog is kept on a leash in the herd grazing areas. Dogs cannot sleep in the accommodation; in general, a shelter is provided for them outside.
Please let us know if you plan to hike with a dog.

Your car and various equipment

During your hike, your car stays in a square in the small village of Prades. Your "precious" equipment (bicycle, computer, etc.) can be stored at home in Unac.

Special cancellation conditions for the Tree Climbing activity

We reserve the right to cancel the tree climbing activity in the event of thunderstorms or strong winds.
Cancellation of the tree climbing activity on our part implies reimbursement of the tree climbing activity.

From 5 people: -6%
From 10 people: -12%

The price does not include

Hot shower at the Chioula refuge (€2), your personal consumption, snacks other than those on day 2, drinks, board the day before your hike.

The price includes

Rental of a donkey for 2 to 3 people (equipped with a pack saddle, a halter, a lead rope, two bags and carrying 40 kg), individual board (night, evening meal and breakfast for half-board + picnic -except the picnic on the first day-, for full-board), tree climbing activity (approximately 2 hours) supervised by a qualified instructor, snack on day 30, transport of the donkey, IGN map at 2/1th TOP 25000 AX LES THERMES n° 25 ET on which we will trace your circuit.

Accommodation

• Refuge

Accommodation package

• Depending on the option chosen, half-board or full-board (bring picnic for the first day)