Pyreneestrip
Le Chioula
Photo: Jcb-caz-11 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cross-country skiingFrance

Le Chioula

Pays d'Ax, Ariège

Chioula lies on a ridge above Ax-les-Thermes, about 15 minutes by car from the town. The trails run through forest and over ridges with views over more than 100 km of the Pyrenees. One loop passes the ruins of the Cathar castle of Montaillou. The staffed Refuge du Chioula lies in the middle of the trail network.

Cross-country skiing

Height
1,240–1,650 m
Trails
51 km
Classic
Yes
Skating
Yes
Loops
13–15 marked trails of 1–17 km in 3 sectors, approx. 51 km in total (Ariège Pyrénées Tourisme gives approx. 60 km)
Season
20 December 2025–15 March 2026
Trail pass
approx. €12.50–14 adult/day (figures vary); ages 6–15, students and 70+ €10.80; ages 3–5 €6.50; family €43.20 (2025/26)
Level
all levels
Other
4 snowshoe routes, 1 km of Nordic walking, sledging slope, dog-sled rides (Amarok Aventure), staffed refuge, motorhome area

Highlights

  • Views along the Pyrenees from the ridge
  • Trails towards the Cathar village of Montaillou
  • Refuge du Chioula in the middle of the trails
  • Dog sledding

Getting here

Flights
Toulouse (TLS) approx. 140 km, approx. 2 h · Carcassonne (CCF) approx. 120 km, approx. 1 h 45 min · Perpignan (PGF) approx. 130 km, approx. 2 h
Train
Ax-les-Thermes (TER Toulouse–Latour-de-Carol), approx. 15 min by car
Car
From Ax-les-Thermes via Ignaux/Prades (D613). Not wheelchair accessible. Winter equipment compulsory.

Accommodation

Accommodation
Refuge du Chioula in the trail network.
Places to stay nearby
Ax-les-Thermes (15 min) with thermal baths, Prades and Montaillou (approx. 15 min)
TipsCombine cross-country skiing in the morning with the thermal baths in Ax-les-Thermes in the afternoon.
Open in the interactive mapDirectionsPlaces to stay nearbyThings to do Affiliate link

42.7564° N, 1.8408° E

Nearby