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  • Pyrénées 

The entire Cathar Trail on foot - From the sea to the mountains - 2nd part

From Quillan to Foix

From
530€/person
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Presentation of your trip

The castles proudly stand on rocky peaks. You follow the path, carved out eight centuries ago, to reach the summit. Initially serving as military posts guarding the Spanish border, these majestic buildings served as refuges for the Cathars. These are true fortresses where one would live, train, defend and worship. From the summit, you’ll take in a wide panorama, all the better to spot the enemy arriving…Following in the footsteps of hundreds of faithful men and women, you walk along paths soaked in heritage. 
Visit the most remarkable Cathar chateaux, nestled in magnificent landscapes: the limestone foothills of Plantaurel, the mountainous Ariégoises forests and the Plateau de Sault, the garrigue, vineyards of the Corbières and the smells of the Mediterranean.
 

  • DestinationPyrénées
  • TypeFree
  • Length of trip7 days and 6 nights
  • ActivitiesHiking
  • Physical level
LaRébenne - Château de Montségur

Collection

The Cathar Trail

Possible periods for this trip

  • Jan.
  • Feb.
  • March
  • Apr.
  • May
  • June
  • Jul.
  • August
  • Sep.
  • Oct.
  • Nov.
  • Dec.
Description of the tripProgramTravel conditionsDates and price

Trip details

Highlights

  • A complete trail on foot.
  • Diverse landscapes: from the Ariege forests to the Mediterranean garrigue.
  • A string of châteaux from the Middle Ages, nestled in stunning scenery.

Complementary informations

  • 7 days, 6 nights, including 6 days of hiking

Program

  • Day 1

    From Quillan to Puivert

    • Distance : 23 km
    • Duration : 6h
    • Elevation gain : 950 m
    • Negative gradient : 700 m

    Leave the capital of the Haute Vallée de l’Aude: Quillan. We pass through a beautiful forest and the village of Nébias, nestled in the heart of the Audoises Pyrenees. Arrive in the remarkable village of Puivert and its famous castle which served as a refuge for poets and troubadours during the Middle Ages. Then, if you wish, take some time to discover the traditional music of the region in the village, at the Museum of Quercorb.
    Night in a gite. 
     

  • From Puivert to Belcaire

    • Distance : 22 km
    • Duration : 6h
    • Elevation gain : 780 m
    • Negative gradient : 240 m

    Passing over the Puivert Plain and lake, you arrive on the Plateau de Sault, crossing the forests of  Lescal et Picaussel. The Pyrenees are beginning to reveal themselves. Night in Belcaire.

     

  • Day 3

    From Belcaire to Comus

    • Distance : 23 km
    • Duration : 5h30
    • Elevation gain : 750 m
    • Negative gradient : 570 m

    Stroll through the beautiful royal forests of the Plateau de Languerail, enjoying a splendid panorama over the Gorges de la Frau. We then reach the small village of Comus where Anne will be waiting for you. Night in a village at the end of the Earth !

     

  • Day 4

    From Comus to Montségur

    • Distance : 14.5 km
    • Duration : 4h
    • Elevation gain : 500 m
    • Negative gradient : 700 m

    A quiet transition stage during which you will travel from Aude to Ariège. After the forest, we cross the superb Gorges de la Frau to arrive in Montségur, one of the most historically significant Cathar sites. Night in the village at the foot of the castle.

  • Day 5

    From Pog de Montségur to Roquefixade

    • Distance : 16.5 km
    • Duration : 5h30
    • Elevation gain : 550 m
    • Negative gradient : 750 m

     Starting at the Château de Montségur, we walk through the forests towards the Château de Roquefixade. Visit the castle (optional), take in the Massif de Tabe with the towering backdrop of the Pic St Barthélémy. Night in the village at the foot of the castle.

  • Day 6

    From Roquefixade to Foix

    • Distance : 18.5 km
    • Duration : 5h
    • Elevation gain : 500 m
    • Negative gradient : 350 m

    Altitude Difference : +500m -350m Set off on the final stage of the Cathar Trail. From the limestone foothills, you enjoy magnificent panoramic views across the mountains of the Olmes countryside, the Massif de Tabe and the summit of St Barthélémy. After an ascent to the Pech de Foix, you re-descend via the GR footpath to Montgailhard. Transfer from Foix to Montgailhard by shuttle bus or by taxi, which will be organised by La Rébenne if the shuttle bus is not running. Night in Foix.

  • Day 7

    Foix

      Breakfast and end of trip.  

    • End of trip

    Travel conditions

    • Luggage

      Carrying is limited to business of the day and picnic. Luggage is carried by vehicle. Please allow 1 bag per person, maximum 15kg/bag.

    • Options

      We've developed our digital navigation application for you to download onto your phone, where you'll find your complete file with maps, tracks, accommodation and transporters, as well as all the information you need for your stay. If you don't want the digital folder, but prefer the paper version with classic navigation tools such as maps, map holders, topo-guides and printed information, please let us know.

       

      If you would like both the digital and paper versions of your file, please allow for a supplement of 40€.

      Accommodation in a gite or hotel for the night before departure.
      Picnics for 
      Single bedroom.
      Return transfer to departure point.
       

    • Attendees

      From 2 people.

    • Formalities

      • Valid identity card.
      • Repatriation insurance recommended.

    • Key information and support

      On your own :

       

      You go on your own, as a couple, with family or friends. We take care of your accommodation, meals, luggage transfer and group.

      You have good hiking experience and can find your way with a map and compass. From one stage to the next, you'll follow our My LaRébenne app on your phone, where you'll find your complete file with maps, tracks, accommodation and transporters, as well as all the information you need for your stay. If you don't want the digital folder, but prefer the paper version with the classic navigation tools such as maps, map holder, topo-guide and printed information, please let us know.

       

      If you wish to receive both the digital and paper versions of your file, please allow for a supplement.


      Freedom means hiking lightly, at your own pace, and enjoying the pleasures of nature to the full, without worrying about the logistics of your stay. It also means being free to interpret and imagine what the Pyrenees have to say.

    • Accommodation

      As our accommodation is small, please book as early as possible.

      Half-board (dinner, overnight stay and breakfast included)

      Accommodation options to choose from :
      Gîte d'étape: selected for the quality of their welcome, these gîtes offer a friendly atmosphere. In most cases, you'll share 4/6-person dormitories. Sheets and towels are not provided.
      Double room option (subject to availability): you sleep in comfortable 2-person rooms in hotels, B&Bs and sometimes gîtes. Sheets and towels are provided.

    • DEPARTURE AND MEETING POINT

      Meet on Day 1 at Quillan (SNCF train station)

      How to get there:

      • By car: Motorway to Carcassonne then D118 to Quillan. 
      • By train : Carcassonne SNCF train station, then TER bus to Quillan.
      • By plane : Carcassonne Airport then shuttle bus to Quillan bus station.

       

    • Difficulty level

      4 to 7 hours of hiking per day. No technical Difficulties: 900m maximum positive altitude.
      You are in good physical condition and you are prepared to hike for several days.
       

    Dates and price

    Information

    Free departure dates: you choose your own departure dates according to your availability.
    For groups, we adapt the level, duration, price and program on request.

    Free departure from

    Price TTC per person

    Freedom package with luggage carried by cabs - stopover gîte
    Registration at 2 people660€
    Registration at 3 people595€
    Registration at 4 people570€
    Registration at 6 people530€
    Freedom package with luggage transfer by cab - double room
    Registration at 2 people710€
    Registration at 3 people670€
    Registration at 4 people620€
    Registration at 6 people595€

    Options

    Single room option: +€105

    The price includes

    • Half-board accommodation
    • Luggage transportation
    • Return transfer to departure point. 
    • Digital roadbook
    • Maps with marked tracks
       

    The price does not include

    • Drinks.
    • Picnics.
    • Insurance.
    • Personal expenses and visits to monuments.
    • The return transfer.
       

    The destination

    • Pyrénées

      The Pyrenees! To summarize their beauty and diversity in a few lines would be vain ... From the green mountains of the Basque Country, to the wild lands of Ariège to the Catalan mountains with the scent of the Mediterranean, the Pyrenees are an invitation to travel.

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