Mail Blanc Circuit

1/ Departure from the village of Salsein d'en haut (watering place) 0h - 725m To start, head down the lane and cross the stream. The lane then becomes a track that you should follow to the crossroads. Head right as the track twists and turns. Be sure to follow the signs, which will keep you on the main path. Then, after an hour's walk from the start, you'll come to a meadow above a
2/ Small hut (below to the east) 0h50 - 810m Follow the track as it winds its way up through the meadow. The markings will take you to a ruined barn in around twenty minutes. Walk alongside the ruin and climb to the right to enter the forest. Follow a faint but well-marked path for 300m until you reach the track, which you climb up to the left. A little further on, the track becomes a narrower path, and you'll soon find yourself on a ridge where you can climb up to the top.
3/ Exit the forest 1h40 - 1120m (breathtaking views) It's time to change sides! Continue along the balcony path, which gradually rises in altitude to reach the Col d'Arraing. Be careful, you will leave a path on the left twice before reaching the hut and the
4/ Col d'Arraing 2h40 - 1355m For the return journey, head due north over the pass to find the signs leading down into the forest to reach the Col de Houga. Join a track that turns left, then right, then left again a little further on. Be careful, as twenty minutes later you will come to a crossroads. Take the one on the right and continue downhill on the wide hairpin path. Keep your wits about you as you follow the signs, which, despite the many possible junctions, will take you safely to the 5/ Col de Houga 3h50 - 840m (barns and houses 100m away) On the right, leave the track by plunging due east down the slope and find your starting point (not very visible from above). You can also choose the full-slope descent, which will take you quickly back to the starting point.

You are in the heart of the Ariège Pyrenees Natural Park.
We encourage you to adopt responsible behavior in this fragile and shared environment.
- Stay on the trails and carry out your trash.
- Observe the flora without picking it.
- Stay discreet, for the wild animals.
- In summer grazing areas, remember to close fences and gates. Do not approach or feed the animals. If a Patou (livestock guardian dog) approaches you, move away slowly and calmly. No sudden movements or shouting, even if it barks, as it would consider you a threat. If it follows you, ignore it.
- Swimming in lakes is discouraged. Sunscreen (even organic!) and other cosmetics pollute this fragile environment.
- Camping is allowed only between 7 PM and 9 AM, and at least one hour's walk from a parking lot.
- In drought conditions, all fires are forbidden. Otherwise, fires are only allowed more than 200m away from a forest. Prefer stoves over natural fire pits.
- In case of a very unlikely encounter with a bear (which seeks to avoid us at all costs): make your presence known calmly, move away progressively, and do not run.