At the entrance to Couflens, the Port d'Aula road runs above the impressive forested valley of Angouls. The peaks of the last cirque in the valley, above Salau, can be made out through Salat Notch. Keep going past the superbly oriented ''balcony village'' of Faup to the Col de Pause (alt. 1,527m/5,010ft). Head up the road to the right, in the direction of Pic de Fonta, which commands a fine view of the Estours Valley and Mont Valier, one of the most emblematic peaks of Ariège.