On a hot Sunday day in January, we decided to have a hiking outing between friends, very close to Foix! We see it from the city, which observes us every day, so it was quite natural that we embarked on the ascent of the Mont Fourcat. Rightly nicknamed the Ariège Mount Fuji, it can be scary with its 2001 m altitude... but you'll see, it's worth it!
The right equipment for a successful hike to Mont Fourcat (in dry weather!):
- Personalized good shoes hiking or trail running with soles notched to avoid slipping (especially on the descent!)
- The weather changes quickly in the mountains, always take a windbreaker and an additional layer like a wool to avoid finding yourself frozen!
- A bag with a aid kit, we never know !
- A minimum of one liter of water, which you can take in a hydration bag suitable for hiking or trail bags.
- Personalized sunglasses,
- From the almost complete crème solaire (and yes, the sun is very naughty, even behind the clouds.)
- A cap
Hiking just 30 minutes from Foix
On this beautiful sunny day, it took us very little time to decide: today we will go at the top of Mont Fourcat. An emblematic summit of Ariège, it can be easily seen from Foix.
It dominates the entire valley and often looks like Mount Fuji when its peaks are snow-covered. It's a fabulous spectacle.
It exists multiple routes to get to Mont Fourcat. For our part, we decided to start from sketched. This pretty hamlet of Mercus-Garrabet is located just half an hour from the Fuxé city center. As soon as we arrive at the car park, we are won over by this pretty space. wilderness.
With a early departure from Foix, we are among the first to arrive and we are already enjoying a very beautiful view. Now it's our turn to the highest point of Mont Fourcat !
Exceptional panorama of the Pyrenees
If I repeatedly used the word “ascension”, it is not by chance, in fact, the hiking of Mont Fourcat is demanding. Of the 4 hours of walking, we spent a good part of the trail to climb to reach the 800 meters of positive altitude difference.
But believe me, the breathtaking view of the Pyrenees upon arrival is definitely worth the effort!
Before getting there, we had to 2 hours of walking between pine forests with captivating scents and ridges with views of the surrounding valley.
We even had the chance to see the town of Foix, with very small in the distance, the Foix castle.
You will have understood, in addition to the objective of reaching the summit, the walk in itself is superb to do. I loved the variety of landscapes ! And to benefit from both passages in the forest in the shade and the one on the ridges, more open where we see crazy landscapes, all under one predominant sun.
It must be said that we had exceptional conditions for the month of January: it was nice and warm, and there was no snow! ☀️
Did you know ? 🤔
You can take this route in any weather, it is customary to use snowshoes to get to Mont Fourcat when it is snowy.
⚠️ You have been warned! : it's not the same hike, you need to be more equipped... and have more time!
Once you arrive at the top… Well actually, not really! 😅 We had two false hopes when we arrived! Indeed, there are two small climbs before arriving at the REAL summit. I can tell you that we gave everything we had over the last few meters, in vain. But it only increased our happy to have arrived, and what's more, it was exactly time to eat: the happiness ! 😍
We took our time to admire every corner of this beautiful 360° panorama on the Pyrenees: you can see the station of Monts d'Olmes, Mount Valier, Saint Barthélemy, and even the Pic du Midi.
After a well deserved rest, it was time for us to turn back. We borrowed the same route as on the way out.
So you will have understood: it goes down, again and again! Have your calves and knees well supported 😉
And this is how it ends this beautiful day hiking near Foix ! To finish in style, we return to Foix and sit on the terrace to have a well-deserved drink .
The hike in video
@officetourismefoixariege A magnificent hike in the Ariège Pyrenees to do even if there is no snow in the mountains ⛰️ We tested Mont Fourcat for you, just 30 minutes from Foix in Ariège! 📌 Practical information: Return trip: 10km Elevation difference: 800m+ Duration: 4h00 (depending on the level of the walkers) Departure: from the hamlet of Croquié, near Mercus Garabet (09) #ariege#faith#foixtourisme#hike#hiking#occitanie#ariege09#onceafoix#pyreneesariegeoises#hiking#mountain ♬ Just A Little While – The 502s
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