By Cédric CONCHON
Alcohol, no… but ferruginous water, yes!
Les granges du Moudang are located in the eponymous valley parallel to that of Rioumajou. On leaving St Lary in the direction of Spain, you pass the road to Tramezaïgues and the hamlet of Eget-cité on the départementale 929 and arrive at the pont du Moudang, the start of the hike.
At this point you’ll also find the famous“parcours aventure du Moudang” activity popular with children and adults alike.
At the Pont du Moudang parking lot, the Neste de Moudang flows into the Neste d’Aure. This is the starting point for our hike.
Go towards the forest, the path is well signposted and accessible to people with reduced mobility. It climbs steadily into the woods, where the shouts and laughter of the adventurers on the “suspended course” give way to the sounds of the river and the scent of pine trees. You can also watch your friends and/or children enjoying themselves on the course.
The path runs alongside the river, providing a pleasant and highly refreshing ambient temperature….the little ones will thank you!!
The Moudang and Rioumajou valleys are listed as Natura 2000 sites to preserve their flora and fauna. These sites belong to the original high Pyrenees chain and rest on strongly folded terrain.
As you leave the wood, the path leads into a wide, sunny valley not far from the barns. You’ll notice the color of the rocks in the river below…they’re ochre!
But where does that come from? Follow me as I take you to discover the Queen’s springs.
This water is consideredhighly mineralized. It is to be consumed when there is a significant mineral deficit in the body.If its consumption is not contraindicated by medical advice, it helps increase the iron content of the blood. The manganese and cobalt present in the water promote iron assimilation.
The iron salts explain where this rusty color of the rocks in the stream from the springs comes from. The Neste de Moudang into which it flows and is diluted does not drain as much ferruginous water but a harder water containing manganese.
And it all makes sense…
So that’s why this color doesn’t extend all the way to the Moudang bridge. There’s not much fishing in these waters, as fish are not abundant due to the high iron content.
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When you arrive at the barns, you’re at an altitude of 1530 meters.
It’s often deserted in the “bad season” but comes back to life in spring as well as during summer and autumn when the colors are breathtaking!
The ewes present are of the Tarasconnaise breed and help maintain the meadows. Walk over to the fountain to refresh yourself.
There are two options: continue to the left of the Pic de la Hount, which splits the valley in two, following the stream to reach the sources de la Reine at (+/-) 1650m altitude, or go right on the path leading to Lac d’Héchempy .
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Les Sources de la Reine consists of 5 springs, 2 of which have been privatized since the 19th century. These springs have been analyzed. The results defined the water as ferruginous and with therapeutic properties (mainly to combat anemia).
Renowned for its treatment of chloro-anemia, the water was then bottled. Many tourists came to take the waters and sometimes stayed at the barns.
