The great mountain bike crossing

From the spa town of Ax les therms start the GT VTT Ariège Pyrénées in the middle of the Pyrenean peaks. This demanding stage asks you for small pushes that will allow you to enjoy a view of the Ariège Pyrenees from the Chioula area and then embark on a superb single track in the Prades forest. You continue your stage on the plateau of Sault, a stage known to way of the Bonhommes, to join the Frau gorges, this technical descent takes you in case of rain to get off your mount. Then comes a very very technical climb with a steep drop that invites you to push your bike to be rewarded at the end of your stage by the historic high place of Ariège: Montsegur castle.

Distance: 33.0 km – D + 1240M – D – 780m
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Accommodation at Comus: The Silence of the South – 04 68 20 36 26 – LABEL Bike welcome

Accommodation in Ignaux: The Balconies of Sorgeat – 04 68 20 36 26 – LABEL Bike welcome

From Comus join the sumptuous Frau Gorge, this descent is very technical, it takes you in case of rain to get off your mount. Then comes a very technical climb with a steep drop that may invite you to push your bike to be rewarded at the end of your stage by the historic high place of Ariège: the castle of Montségur. From Le Taulat you will enjoy a magnificent, quite playful single descent in the middle of the fir trees: a gem.

From Montsegur a nice single descent, beware of the ruts at the end of this section, you need to concentrate. You join Lavelanet and take the greenway that connects Mirepoix.

We advise you to borrowter the possible variant on this stage (10 km more)His if your calves allow it, borrowz the ultra fun trail et player of tMontbel lake bear which is truly worth the detour.

Once you have gone around, join the greenway and enjoy the magnificent fortified village of Camon and admire the ruins of the Lagarde castle nicknamed “The Little Versailles of Languedoc”. Your step ends in the fortified town of Mirepoix whose cutlery deserves your full attention.

Please note that this stage can be slippery in the Gorges de la Frau in rainy weather.

Be careful when leaving Pélail, we advise you to take the road to Fougax and Barrineuf to then reach Montségur. The climb between Pélail and Taulat is very slippery and the portage is very very sporty if you are an adventurer and you are not afraid to push then this section is made for you 😉

Distance: 74.9 km – D+: 1060 m – D-: 1920 m
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Accommodation in Mirepoix:  The consul house – +33 5 61 68 81 81 – LABEL Bike welcome

Accommodation in Fougax-et-Barrineuf: Alpy mohair – 06 75 63 49 70 – LABEL Bike welcome

Here you are in the Pyrenean foothills with the majestic Pyrenees as a backdrop. You move on quickly on technical trails, single players on the program for this start of the stage. You arrive on Tabarianne's website and not far from its necropolis, we advise you to make a mini detour and go up to the right to reach the orientation table which allows you to locate the Ariège peaks. You connect several small villages on the way to Santiago de Compostela (GR®78): Manses, Teilhet, Ludies Saint Amadou, Le Carlaret. In the middle of the sunflower fields, on the Appamean plain, take advantage of this unusual little passage: "du pont du Crieu" which marks the end of your stage before joining the town of Pamiers.

Distance: 34.0 km – D+: 450 m – D-: 470 m
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Accommodation in Pamiers: Hotel de France – +33 5 61 60 20 88 – LABEL Bike welcome

Here you are in the middle of the mountains on the Plantaurel chain, the trail is technical and sporty. It invites you to adapt your speed on technical climbs and single-track descents. You start in the center of Pamiers to quickly reach Cailloup Abbey located in a very pleasant environment, you then continue on tracks with a view of the Pyrenees from Saint Victor Rouzeaud. Descend by the road and go up by a pretty track before starting a magnificent forest single track with always a magnificent view of the Valier Summit which is your landmark in the Ariège Pyrenees. Here you are back down to Pailhès. Again a beautiful climb awaits you, certainly you push your mountain bike otherwise it means that you are damn "in canes" to approach a stony path and nicely technical. A perfect section to learn how to pilot your mount well.

Join Filhet lake and continue with a sporty stage Your stage ends in style at Mas d'Azil where its remarkable cave waiting for you. A wonderful geological and prehistoric site that deserves a nice break for the evening.

Be careful, this stage can be slippery in rainy weather.

Distance: 43.0 km – D+: 1010 m – D-: 1020 m
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Accommodation at Mas d'Azil: Cottage the Gardel – +33 (0)6 12 86 57 35 – LABEL Bike welcome

This is your last step! Let's go you go on the road to be able to admire the cave of Mas d'Azil at sunrise, you always continue on the road and admire in the distance the Way of the Cross by Raynaude. You leave the road to take and climb a very pleasant path on your left. Here you are in the Couserans where the green color predominates throughout your day. You alternate between mini road and path to find the bell tower of Noguès and the Pyrenees still in the background. From Lescure you are between mini road and track to cross the organic fir forest. Once past the house of Coumanis you take pleasant and sometimes playful paths.

You complete your journey in the perched village from Saint-Lizier overflowing with treasures: testimonies of a rich past. This medieval village is one of the most beautiful cities in Ariège and France, several monuments of which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Don't hesitate to go up to the Bishops' Palace where the view is “to die for”!

The bravest can climb at the Tuc de Montcalibert to admire this splendid panorama of the Pyrenees one last time.

Distance: 28.0 km – D+: 500 m – D-: 350 m
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Accommodation around Saint-Lizier: the hotels, campings, lodgings and furnished, guest rooms.

Accommodation around Saint-Girons : the hotels, campings, lodgings and furnished, guest rooms.

For the return, find the greenway joining Saint Girons to Foix. 40 km which allow you to complete the loop without logistics. (see transport paragraph below)

E-MTB duration: 3h40
Distance: 48km
D+: 1m
D-: 1m
Montsegur: The house under the castle – 06 88 74 39 64 // Le Pelerin – info@pelerin111.com – 06 66 20 91 37 // the Sarrat House - 09 82 35 51 66
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E-MTB duration: 03h56
Distance: 59km
D+: 500m
D-: 1m
Accommodation at The consul house – + 33 5 61 68 81 81 – LABEL Bike welcome
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E-MTB duration: 02h51
Distance: 45km
D+: 680m
Bed and Breakfast La Maire in Saint Victor Rouzaud – + 33 5 61 60 49 28 – + 33 6 37 49 37 28
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E-MTB duration: 04h00
Distance: 61km
D+: 1m
D-: 1m
👉 Download the GPX track of the section 👈
Accommodation around Saint-Lizier: the hotels, campings, lodgings and furnished, guest rooms.

Accommodation around Saint-Girons :THE hotels, campings, lodgings and furnished, guest rooms.

For the return, find the greenway joining Saint Girons to Foix. 40 km which allow you to complete the loop without logistics. (see transport paragraph below)