
Pyrenean travel agency specializing in hikes in the Pyrenees, Basque country and the GR10.
Between the Mediterranean Sea and the Ariège region, in the heart of the Pyrenean Piedmont, impressive stone citadels are standing : the Cathar Castles. Those fortresses remain the living memory of a tragical history that marked the South-West of France during the crusade against the Albigenses.
Starting from Carcassonne and its famous medieval old town, you will go and discover the most famous sites and castles of the Cathar History. Firstly in the Aude region, you will have the opportunity to visit the Quéribus eyrie, the incredible fortress of Peyrepertuse, Puilaurens the archetypal bastion and finally Puivert, the home of troubadours. In Ariège, you will explore Montségur castle, the highest of the Cathar Castles, standing on its rock at 1207m of altitude.
Then, before reaching Foix and its castle, you will visit the closest neighbour to Montségur, Roquefixade, perched on the top of an impressive cliff. Beyond the discovery of a territory and its rich and overwhelming history, this Cathar Country is full of stunning and varied landscapes, influenced by the Mediterranean and Mountain Climates that are merging here, but also by the Nature that dig gorges in limestone, carved rocky spurs and has always allowed mankind to use those natural resources.
Departures
Every day, from the beginning of April to the end of October (depending on availabilities).
Booking from 2 people (solo travelers : please contact us).
From 01/04/2026 to 31/10/2026 :
- Price per person for a group of 2 persons : 905€
- Price per person for a group of 3 persons : 810€
- Price per person for a group of 4 persons : 760€
- Price per person for a group of 5 persons : 735€
- Price per person for a group of 6 persons : 715€
Extras :
- Single room extra : 200€/pers
- Extra 4 picnics: 55€/pers
- Transfer back from Foix to Carcassonne on a week day: 215€ the transfer
- Transfer back from Foix to Carcassonne on a Sunday or Public Holiday: 265€ the transfer
- Extra night in Carcassonne Bed & Breakfast double room : 60€/pers
- Extra night in Carcassonne Bed & Breakfast single room : 95€/pers
- Extra night in Foix Bed & Breakfast double room : 65€/pers
- Extra night in Foix Bed & Breakfast single room : 85€/pers
- Half-board accommodation except on days 1 and 6 in bed & breakfast
- Luggage transfers
- Transfers on Day 2, 4 and 6
- Dossier containing maps, route notes (1 for 4 persons, given in 1st accommodation)
- GPS tracks if you ask us + access to the detailed itinerary on our mobile application
- Travel insurance
- Dinners on Day 1 and Day 6
- Visits and entrance tickets to the castles
- Drinks and picnics
- Booking fees : 15€
Day 1 : Beginning of the holiday in Carcassonne
Beginning of your holiday in Carcassonne, check-in at your accommodation.
Day 2 : From Carcassonne to Quéribus Castle
In
the morning, you will discover the famous medieval town of
Carcassonne. Later in the morning, transfer to the
Quéribus Castle, « The Vertiginous
Citadel ». Like an eyrie built on a rocky outcrop, this
was the last stronghold of the Cathar resistance during the crusade
against the Albigenses in 1255. Perched at 788m of altitude on the
donjon's High Terrace, astonishing landscapes will meet your eyes,
from the Canigou summit to the Roussillon and Corbières plains. By
a short hike through the Corbières vineyards, the fragrant
scrubland and the very beautiful village of Cucugnan, you will then
reach Duilhac sous Peyrepertuse.
Distance : 10km, duration : around 3h, ascent : +200m, descent :
-450m
Day 3 : From Duilhac sous Peyrepertuse to Cubières sur Cinoble
Picturesque
itinerary with the visit of the Peyrepertuse
fortress: the Castle is standing at 800m of altitude on a
limestone ridge. This is one of the most beautiful examples of
Cathar fortresses, which is also part of the old line of defense of
the « five Carcassonne sons ». You will then cross the
Galamus Gorges, an impressive canyon and
outstanding natural setting. The Agly river, « eagles' river », dig
the rock from waterfall to waterfall, and a road built in 1884 now
hangs on the cliff. During the hike, you will also have a stop to
visit the Galamus Hermitage: this is a humble house and a sanctuary
set in a cave, surrounded by box trees and evergreen oaks, an
exceptional natural site.
Distance : 16km, duration : around 5h30, altitude gain : +700m,
descent : -700m
Distance : 19km, duration : around 6h30, altitude gain : +850m,
descent : -750m (with round trip to Peyrepertuse castle)
Day 4 : From Caudies de Fenouillèdes to Puilaurens Castle
In
the morning, transfer from Cubières to Caudies de Fenouillèdes. You
will then hike towards the superb Puilaurens
castle, perched on a rocky spur at 697m of altitude, in
the heart of a coniferous forest. Before reaching it, you will walk
through the St Jaumes and Aigues Bonnes gorges.
From the bottom of the gorge, the path carved in the rock leads to
the Saint Pierre and Castel Sabarda castles. Transfer to your
accommodation in Quillan at the end of the day.
Distance : 14,5km, duration : around 5h, ascent : +650m ; descent :
-550m
Day 5 : From Quillan to Puivert
Starting
from Quillan, you will discover the transition
from the Mediterranean influence to the Pyrenean influence. From
small valleys to hills, the impressive Puivert
fortress will appear to you, a 12th century feudal castle
and a former meeting place for the most famous troubadours. The
village of Puivert is also very interesting, with
its remnants from the past and its Quercorb Museum that thoroughly
reports and evokes the life in the Quercorb region at the end of
the last century.
Distance : 20km, duration : around 6h30, ascent : +750m, descent :
-550m
Day 6 : From Montségur to Foix
In
the morning, transfer from Puivert to Montségur. A 1-hour visit of
the Montségur castle that symbolizes the
resistance of the Cathar Church against the Church of Rome, but
also against the King of France and the overlords of the North
searching for the rich lands of the South : they took possession of
the place after the surrender and stake in 1244. After the visit of
the castle, transfer from Montségur to Roquefixade
and hike until Foix through a beautiful
panoramic itinerary.
Distance : 17km, duration : around 6h, ascent : +550m, descent :
-900m
Day 7 : Visit of Foix and its castle, end of the holiday
Your
trip ends in Foix. Possibility to visit the
old town center and its narrow streets filled with
History, and the castle perched on its rock. Its has been greatly
revamped after a 2-year-long work!
This program is an example of the itinerary we aim to adhere to. It may be necessary, if situations arise that are beyond our control, for the itinerary to be modified.
Welcome
On Day 1 at your accommodation in Carcassonne (11), depending on your arrival time.
Dispersion
On Day 7 in Foix (09), after your breakfast.
Level
Level 2/5
Occasional walker, in good physical condition. Hiking 5h-6h per day on average, altitude difference 400m-700m on average, on easy paths and tracks. They are average times that only take into account the effective walking time and do not include the stops during the hike. Depending on the weather conditions, the walking pace can also vary, ranging from +300m to +500m of climbing per hour.
Accommodation
Half-board except Day 1 and Day 6 (night and breakfast)
3 nights in hotels in room on Days 1, 4 and 6
2 nights in a guesthouse in room on Day 2 and 3
1 night in gite in room on Day 5
Meals:
- Continental breakfast (tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam)
- Evening meals are often based on local specialties and include a starter, a main course and a dessert. For dinners on Day 1 and Day 6, restaurants on spot.
- Picnics not included. They can be reserved in advance (with extra). Or you can buy them directly at your accommodation or at the grocery stores, mini-markets and bakeries listed in the roadbook.
- Drinks are not included
Luggage porterage
You will need to carry a day backpack only. Our bag-moving service means you can travel light during your walks. Your main luggage (that should please be easily transportable) will be transported by vehicle between the different night stops, unless you have chosen the version without luggage transport.
Your main luggage (if package includes luggage transport between accommodations) :
Only one piece of luggage per person will be transported. For logistical reasons, we ask you to limit the weight of your luggage to a maximum of 15kg and to avoid hard suitcases: our logisticians and transport partners have to load and unload dozens of them every day, sometimes involving a lot of stairs... The transport company may charge you a supplement at the end of the hike if your luggage is too heavy or too numerous.
Supervision
Self-guided hike, without a guide
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