Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
Departure from the Moulzoune car park.
1 - Take the small path marked in yellow, which climbs up a grassy track through the heart of the beech forest to the small artificial lake of Moulzoune, used for breeding Atlantic salmon (picnic tables).
2 - Continue climbing on the left. Just follow the markings to discover the plateau of the old Fangas mines, where an old platform supporting the rusted remains of old mine carts awaits. The view of the lake is already magnificent.
3 - Turn right, up the slope, to pass close to the ruins of the old mine buildings and continue climbing to the small Cabane du Vacher (1,592 m).
4 - Climb the steep path that takes you to the ridge to discover, opposite, the Monts d'Olmes resort and the Fourcat.
5 - Then continue almost immediately to the left to find a signpost.
Leave the path to the right towards Pic Saint-Barthélemy and continue to the left, along the mountainside, to the rocky pass of the old Porteille quarry (1,650 m).
Take a small detour to the right to see the old ruined buildings and the steam engine that used to haul ore up the southern slope.
6 - Retrace your steps for a short descent and climb up the steep slope opposite to reach a wide, flat path that was probably used for transporting mine carts.
7 - At the pass, descend to a standing stone and, about 100 m further on, climb the slope, off the trail, to discover the Cabane de Taula (1,670 m) on the other side of the mountain and on the ridge. The view is magnificent, perfect for a well-deserved break.
8 - Continue along the grassy track that opens up from the hut and joins the marked trail that leads to the foot of Roc de la Gourgue, where it is easy to climb for a magnificent view of Montségur Castle.
9 - The route turns left and joins a wide track that descends into the forest and, after a few hairpin bends, returns to the Moulzoune car park.
1 - Take the small path marked in yellow, which climbs up a grassy track through the heart of the beech forest to the small artificial lake of Moulzoune, used for breeding Atlantic salmon (picnic tables).
2 - Continue climbing on the left. Just follow the markings to discover the plateau of the old Fangas mines, where an old platform supporting the rusted remains of old mine carts awaits. The view of the lake is already magnificent.
3 - Turn right, up the slope, to pass close to the ruins of the old mine buildings and continue climbing to the small Cabane du Vacher (1,592 m).
4 - Climb the steep path that takes you to the ridge to discover, opposite, the Monts d'Olmes resort and the Fourcat.
5 - Then continue almost immediately to the left to find a signpost.
Leave the path to the right towards Pic Saint-Barthélemy and continue to the left, along the mountainside, to the rocky pass of the old Porteille quarry (1,650 m).
Take a small detour to the right to see the old ruined buildings and the steam engine that used to haul ore up the southern slope.
6 - Retrace your steps for a short descent and climb up the steep slope opposite to reach a wide, flat path that was probably used for transporting mine carts.
7 - At the pass, descend to a standing stone and, about 100 m further on, climb the slope, off the trail, to discover the Cabane de Taula (1,670 m) on the other side of the mountain and on the ridge. The view is magnificent, perfect for a well-deserved break.
8 - Continue along the grassy track that opens up from the hut and joins the marked trail that leads to the foot of Roc de la Gourgue, where it is easy to climb for a magnificent view of Montségur Castle.
9 - The route turns left and joins a wide track that descends into the forest and, after a few hairpin bends, returns to the Moulzoune car park.
