The Ker promenade

What a joy to feel the sun on your face in October! The weather is beautiful... The Couseranaise valleys of the Pyrenees are calling me!

I put on my hiking boots, pack a small bag and I'm ready to explore... the Ker promenade, between Massat and Biert! I embark on a 2-hour walk and a small 200m elevation gain.

After only a few minutes of walking, I come across a caveA signpost explains that it's a protected site for bats. The adventurer in me begs me to enter this intriguing little cave... It was a funny discovery! The interior is crooked, the rock is cold and damp, and a few spiders have made their home there for the winter, enough to get in the mood for Halloween! I continue on my way, determined to reach the summit of Ker.

What do I like? smell the autumn who arrives… The soothing melody of the river accompanies me, then gives way to the sound of dead leaves crackling under my feet. I come across the last blackberries, and about ten different mushrooms, which I am unable to identify… Next time, I will take a booklet on mushrooms! The landscapes are varied, between forests and viewpoints over the valley. There are a few muddy passages, but that doesn't bother me. Walking in the mud and venturing into paths that require a little balance: my inner child is delighted.

The summit of Ker is magical!

And I really enjoyed the walk to get there: after discovering the oratory of Saint-Branda and a slightly steeper climb, I saw the Ker cross. Arriving at the highest point, I took a few moments to catch my breath, then I realized the beauty of the point of view which is offered to me.

I don't know where to begin. On one side, in the distance, the village of Massat and its bell tower seem so peaceful in the heart of the valley; on the other, the village of Biert plays hide-and-seek behind some branches. The view of the Couseranaise mountains, slowly covering themselves in their autumnal colors, is just as magnificent. It's the perfect spot to stop, contemplate, and have a bite to eat. But not before wrapping myself up in my jacket and hat. Once I stop, the cold sets in quickly!

Before leaving, I capture one last moment of happiness, I close my eyes and listen. I listen to the sound of the birds, the sound of the wind making the leaves dance, the soothing sound of nature; simple, but so restorative. I'm ready to go home. The descent is peaceful, in the undergrowth, before reaching the parking lot at the Arac equestrian center.