Family picnic

To reach the Moulzoune pond, take the road leading to the Monts d’Olmes resort. Halfway up, I take a forest path indicated by a sign on the left where it says “Route de la Mine”. The road is passable, so I take my time climbing. When I’m more than halfway up, I stop to photograph the château de Montségur, majestic on its pog.

At the finish: a view of the high-altitude forest, its tall beeches mixed with firs. We take a deep breath.

Warning, it’s uphill so bring good shoes! We load up the picnic and set off for a 10-minute climb: destination Moulzoune pond.

Easy to get to, it’s perfect for a family getaway. After the appetite-boosting walk, it’s time for a picnic: sit down on one of the wooden tables and benches. There are even stone barbecues!

Under the trees, it’s ideal for having your meal in the cool. A walk around this artificial body of water is possible.

Start from the picnic area, walk past the two wooden chalets that give off a little Canadian air, cross the wooden bridge and reach the starting path through the woods. The pond is a reserve de pêche intended for the restocking of Ariège rivers, so fishing is prohibited.

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Above the pond are the anciennes mines de Fangas at around 1450 meters above sea level.

This hike is more complicated for little legs as it climbs a lot. Finding your way is easy, just follow the frogs… on the directional signs.

After two fairly steep climbs, the view is spectacular: it overlooks the Moulzoune pond in the foreground and the valley behind. On sunny days, you can even catch a glimpse of Lac de Montbel.

The traces of the former miners are represented by the machines left on site and an old abandoned house where vegetation largely dominates. Testimony to a mining past, these industrial relics remind us of the harshness of life, of the work of yesteryear in this mountainous area that was accomplished by brave men many decades ago.