The path of the fellows in a few words

  • Total distance: 224 km
  • Estimated time: 13 days
  • Cumulative positive elevation: 7989m
  • Cumulative negative elevation: -7241m
  • Departure: Montgailhard next to Foix (France - 09) - Arrival: Berga (Spain)
  • Red and white markings
  • Difficulty level: 3/5. You are in good physical condition and are prepared for hiking over several days (4 to 6 hours of walking per day with positive elevations of 30 to 400m)

The start

Checkin

Favorable period

From May to October. This route is located in mid-mountain. At the start of the season, some stages can be tricky with the presence of snow, especially at Portella Blanca, the border area. There is a variant between Porta and Belver de Cerdanya which allows you to avoid Portella Blanca in bad weather. June is a good time to explore it, the days are long and the flora is rich.

Addresses and useful documents:

For the French part:

For the Spanish part:

  • Consell Regulator del Cami del Bons Homes: www.camidelsbonshomes.com
  • Topoguide: “In the footsteps of the Cathars” – Editions FFRP
  • Topoguide: “Cami del Bons Homes GR®107” – Alpina Editorial Edition
  • 6 maps scale 1: 50.000

ORGANIZERS of stays

  • The Rebenne, your travel companion, who will organize the trip for you on foot or by mountain bike.
  • The donkey farm : With a donkey from 7 to 12 days in family (child from 8 years old) organizes your whole stay with a donkey.
  • Hiking, in the Pyrénées Orientales, organizer of walking holidays.
  • The equestrian center Soularac organize your stay on horseback.
  • Garcie Farm do the same.

Rent a horse or donkey

If you book your accommodation yourself, all you need is your pet during your hike!

With a donkey:
- Escap'anes
- The donkey farm

With a horse:
- The Aiguillanes stables
- The Equestrian Pole of Léran
- The Soularac equestrian center

A cross-border path between history and diversity of landscapes

Catharism, this current of thought totally rejected by the Catholic Church until it was eradicated, was very present in the South of France in the XNUMXth century. When the Church decreed that the Cathars were heretics, she launched the crusade against the Albigensians to fight against this "scourge". The "perfect", the "good men" then had two choices: conversion to the Catholic Church or death at the stake.

Thousands of Cathars then gathered, taking refuge in fortresses they thought impregnable, to fight together. After a scathing massacre, a number of Cathars who escaped the stake fled the Ariège lands towards Spain, to put themselves under the protection of the Catalan lords.

Make the way of the good men – GR®107 is to walk in the footsteps of the last "Bonshommes" and discover a part of history as exciting as it is terrifying: Catharism.

Le GR®107 oscillates between medium mountain and high mountain. It takes forest paths, stony paths, paths in the plains, it crosses towns and villages, the Orlu national reserve, and passes near several famous sites: Foix castle, Montségur castle, Roquefixade castle, Mérens-les-Vals ...

Our 5 shots of ❤️ on the way to the men – GR®107

hellolaroux's experience

Hellolaroux, travel blogger, came to walk on part of the Chemin des Bonshommes! She did 6 days of roaming on the French part of the GR®, between Foix and Mérens. Guess what ? She loooooved! She tells you about her experience, her shots of ❤️ and some practical advice!

Practical information on the Chemin des Bonshommes

Find here all the information you will need for your stay. Because preparation is roaming's best friend, step-by-step we tell you everything you need to know before you go.

The 13 stages of the path of the snowmen

How many stages are there on the way of the good men – GR®107 ? It's really 13 days of walking between France and Spain. It is possible to do only a few steps and take public transport to return to the starting point.

To sleep

- In overnight accommodation: find below in each stage the hosts and the grocery stores to supply you.

- Under the tent : campsites are present find them below in each stage. The bivouac is tolerated : pitch the tent at sunset and take it down at sunrise. We advise you to get closer to the gites, some will offer free management (the Roquefixade gite for example) and the managers will direct you to bivouac spots.

Find all the information about accommodation in the steps below

Stage 0: Foix (station) – Montgailhard

Possibility to arrive by train at Foix (Latour de carol – Toulouse line) or to leave your car at Foix station where parking is free. 

To reach Montgailhard from Foix: Montgailhard is accessible from Foix on foot (6 km) or by the city shuttle, line 4 (except Sundays).

Shuttle from the forecourt next to the tourist office in Foix to the Caussou de Montgailhard stop: Single ticket: €0,85 sold on the bus.

Download timetables

You can also take a taxi, especially on Sundays, to reach Foix station as far as Montgailhard or vice versa:
Taxi Cazalbou Cédric: 06 42 27 44 04
Taxi Deramond: 06 08 99 15 62
Taxi Chantal: 07 70 18 84 35
Taxi Alex: 06 02 13 61 96
Taxi audabram: www.taxis-audabram.eu 05.61.01.34.54 or 06.80.71.41.59

On foot from Foix to Montgailhard :
Duration: 01:55 / 5,98 km / 90 m D+ / 20 m D- / Path: 2,68 km / Street: 1,45 km / Road: 1,81 km

Please note this part is not marked hence step 0   Download the walking route.

STAGE 1: MONTGAILHARD – ROQUEFIXADE

The start is in Montgailhard.

The beginning of the path takes you to the heights of Montgailhard and allows you to benefit from an exceptional view of the Ariège valley, the Prat d'Albis and Mont Fourcat. You feel through the vegetation a double climatic influence between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Thus, you cross cool and humid beech forests and drier grounds where thorny broom and lavender grow, as well as many varieties of orchids.

Walking time: 5 p.m.
Distance: 17 km
Elevation +/-: 750 m / 400 m

⚠️ Due to the closure of the passage of the initial path in the Pech de Foix sector, the routes of the GR®107 and GR®367 routes had to be rectified.

À this effect:
The departures-arrivals of the itinerary are at the Town Hall of Montgailhard.

Montgailhard is accessible from Foix on foot (4km) or by the urban shuttle (except Sunday).

Reach Montgailhard by urban shuttle: the shuttle (line 4) is taken from the forecourt located next to the Foix Tourist Office (make my itinerary) to the Caussou de Montgailhard stop. Single ticket: €0,85 sold on the bus.

Download the shuttle timetable (line 4).

You can also take a cab especially on Sundays to reach Foix station to Montgailhard or vice versa:
Taxi Cazalbou Cédric: 06 42 27 44 04
Taxi Deramond: 06 08 99 15 62
Taxi Chantal: 07 70 18 84 35
Taxi Alex: 06 02 13 61 96
Taxi audabram: www.taxis-audabram.eu 05.61.01.34.54 or 06.80.71.41.59

On foot from Foix to Montgailhard – Duration: 01h55 / 5.98 km / 90m D+ / 20m D- / street: 1.45km / road: 1.81km

? ️ Sleep
– Foix: many accommodations welcome you: sleep at once
– Montgailhard: the Hotel Pyrene (05 61 65 48 66) or La Roucateille campsite (05.61.64.05.92)
– Roquefixade: the stopover lodge of the town (05 34 14 04 48). Home in free management. Go introduce yourself at the Roquefixade gite to the managers Fabienne, Maëlys, Pierre-Luc, Sébastien who will direct you to the places where to put your tent.

? Refueling
In Foix and Montgailhard, you can get supplies without any difficulty, many shops.

STAGE 2: ROQUEFIXADE – MONTSÉGUR

Beautiful ridge route that allows a spectacular approach to the Montségur castle starting from the foot of Roquefixity. Montségur one of the most important sites of Catharism, the last stronghold of the resistance and the starting point for fleeing men.

Walking time: 4 p.m.
Distance: 17 km
Elevation +/-: 746 m / 475 m

? ️ Sleep
– Montferrier – The Ninouninettes - 05 61 64 36 91

– Montsegur:
Guest rooms :
The house under the castle - 06 88 74 39 64
Pilgrim - info@pelerin111.com - 06 66 20 91 37
the Sarrat House - 09 82 35 51 66

When camping, the youth reception point : space dedicated to tents (05 61 01 10 27)

? Refueling
– Montferrier – The mountain house (05 61 01 05 87) – Opening hours: Monday Closed – every day 7 a.m. – 20 p.m. (high season) – 7 a.m. – 13 p.m. / 15 p.m. – 19 p.m. (low season)
– Montségur – The grocery store, caterer, butcher Le Montségurien (05 61 01 54 46)

STAGE 3: MONTSÉGUR – COMUS

In Montségur, you are at the gates of the high Pyrenean mountains. From the top of the Pog, take the time to discover the wide panorama stretching out in front of you. To the east, the Corbières and the Audoises Pyrenees, dominated by the Pech de Bugarach; to the north the Montagne Noire and the Toulouse plain, and finally to the west the high peaks of the Pays Couserans.

Further on, the impressive gorges of the Frau (or dread).

Walking time: 4 p.m.
Distance: 16 km
Elevation +/-: 796 m / 539 m

? ️ Sleep
– Comus:
Comus stopover gite The Presbytery - 04 68 20 33 69
The Oustal of Annetta - 04 68 74 81 26
The Silence of the South - 04 68 20 36 26

? Refueling
At the next stage in Camurac (variant).

STAGE 4: COMUS – CHIOULA REFUGE

Your steps take you over the vast expanses of the Sault plateau between Comus and the Refuge du Chioula. Make a detour to Montaillou (a Mecca of Catharism marked by the work of the famous historian Emmanuel Leroi Ladurie).

Information from deviation of the GR107 on this stage.

Walking time: 4 p.m.
Distance: 14km
Elevation +/-: 720m / 290m
Variant: passage through Camurac

? ️ Sleep
– Camurac:
Camurac Castles - 04 68 31 32 01
Le Gite de la Marmitte - 06 08 35 43 64

– Montaillou:
la Caminada Vielha - 07 83 60 84 64

– Signals:
Chioula Refuge - 05 61 64 06 97

? Refueling
Camurac: The Mountain Grocery 6 Place Du, Rue du Gât – 09 75 85 09 97
Opening hours: Monday Closed – other days 08:30 a.m.–12 p.m., 00 p.m.–17 p.m. / Wednesday 00:19 a.m.–00 p.m.

STAGE 5: CHIOULA REFUGE – ORGEIX

Soon you dominate the Haute-Vallée de l'Ariège and its center Ax-les-Thermes. You are here close to the wildlife reserve from Orlu, in the heart of the high Pyrenean mountain. In these places the chamois and the marmot reign supreme, the beech has given way to the hook pine and the rhododendrons.

Walking time: 3 p.m.
Distance: 11km
Elevation +/-: 80m / 850m
Variant: Chioula Refuge - Ascou La Forge
To recharge your batteries even better during your roaming, take a detour through the city of Ax-les-Thermes and enjoy the bubbles of the thermo-ludic center, the Couloubret baths.

? ️ Sleep

– Signals:
Sivarol - 06 82 84 21 62
The barns of ignaux – 05 61 01 88 39

– Sorgeat:
The balconies of Sorgeat - 06 12 43 48 21
Campsite Sorgeat - 05 61 64 36 34

– Ascou:
Le Belvedere - 05 61 64 04 40
Gîte and campsite La Forge d'Ascou - 05 61 64 60 06

– Orlu / Orgeix:
The Relais Montagnard - 05 61 02 79 75
Orlu campsite - 05 61 64 30 09

STAGE 6: ORGEIX – MÉRENS LES VALS

From the Orlu valley, climb to the Col de Joux offering a 360 ° panorama. Descent to Mérens-les-Vals and its XNUMXth century Catalan-style Romanesque church, passing by the famous hot springs.

Walking time: 6 p.m.
Distance: 18 km
Elevation +/-: 1 m / 016 m

Stage information

? ️ Sleep
– Mérens-les-Vals:
Nabre Inn - 05 61 01 89 36
Mérens-les-Vals campsite - 05 61 02 85 40

? Refueling
Grocery: La gare des vals restaurant, bar, grocery store – 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. / closed on Fridays / Bar: 8 a.m.-15 p.m. / Summer opening hours: 8 a.m.-15 p.m. / 17 p.m.-22 p.m.
Info: 06 37 65 78 62 / sophiedesbrosses1970@gmail.com / www.merenslesvals.fr

STAGE 7: MÉRENS LES VALS – L'HOSPITALET – PORTE PUYMORENS – PORTA

Between Mérens-les-Vals and Porta you have the choice between a quiet path at the bottom of the valley on the left bank of the Ariège, or the mountain variant through the Nabre valley to Bésines Refuge (For those who love wildlife and high-altitude lakes, we recommend this variant - to be undertaken only in summer and before the first cold weather). At the Col du Puymorens, join Catalonia by a short descent along the Carol.

Walking time: 6 p.m.
Distance: 22 km
Elevation +/-: 1 m / 059 m
Variant: Mérens-Refuge des Bésines-Porté-Puymorens. Walking time of the variant: 10h30
Possibility to sleep at Bésines hut - 09 88 77 35 28

? ️ Sleep
– L’hospitalet near Andorra:
Hospitality stopover gite - 05 61 05 23 14
Puymorens Hotel - 05 61 05 20 03
Campsite the gate of the peaks - 05 61 05 21 10

– Carried Puymorens:
Gite and equestrian guides In Garcie - 04 68 04 95 44

– Carry:
Campcardos Hostel - 04 68 30 38 90
equilibre - 04 68 04 59 42

? Refueling
Grocery: L'hospitalet near Andorra – the Hospicerie - 09 67 43 89 88
Porté Puymorens grocery store: Garcie farm - 04 68 04 95 44

STAGE 8: PORTA – PORTELLA BLANCA – CABANA DELS ESPARVERS

You will walk through the wide valley of Campcardos before switching to the Portella Blanca (2517m) to Catalonia. This pass marks the border between the 3 nations (Spain-Andorra and France). The Esparvers hut is only a precarious shelter, provide bivouac equipment for this stage.

There is a variant between Porta and Belver de Cerdanya which allows you to avoid Portella Blanca in bad weather. From Porta to Latour de Carol to Guis de Cerdanya to Méranges à éller then Bellver de Cerdanya.

For all the information on accommodation in the Pyrénées-Orientales, visit this site: pyrenees-cerdagne.com. For Andorran accommodation: visitandorra.com

Pwork with an agency can allow you to avoid this long stage: they organize transfers to take you to the next one. The advantage is that you will have crossed the Franco-Spanish border by yourself!

Walking time: 4 p.m.
Distance: 16km
Elevation +/-: 1000m / 450m

STAGE 9: CABANA DELS ESPARVERS – BELLVER DE CERDANYA

You will descend the LLosa valley, dotted with hermitages, to that of Segre which drains the entire Cerdane plain. The Stage ends in the medieval village of Bellver de Cerdagne. It is recommended to be careful between Prullans and Bellver, the trail crosses the N-260 several times.

Walking time: 4 p.m.
Distance: 20km
Elevation +/-: 100m / 1050m

? ️ Sleep
– Cal Jan:
Located 1 hour after the Esparvers hut. This private farm house offers the possibility of camping in the meadows and has tents for rent to hikers by prior reservation. This is NOT a campsite, they don't offer any services except tents, there are no toilets, no showers, no bar, no restaurant, just the meadow. +638 438 686

– Viliella:
Casa rural Molí del Salt – 750m from the trail – +34677 262 166

– Prullans:
Cerdanya Eco Resort - +34973 510 260

– Bellver de cerdagne:
Alberg La Bruna - +34973 510 876
Hotel Bellavista - +34973 510 000
Refugi Cortals de l'Ingla – +34686 693 305 – refugicortalsdelingla@gmail.com

? Refueling
Many shops in Bellver de cerdagne.

STAGE 10: BELLVER DE CERDANYA – BAGA

You will cross the Sierra del Cadi between Bellver and Baga, you are in the heart of the Cadi Moxeiro Natural Park. Begin the descent in a beech grove and arrive at the Sant Jordi refuge.

Walking time: 6 p.m.
Distance: 22 km
Elevation +/-: 966 m / 1 m

?️ Sleep
– Guardiola de bergueda:
Refugee of Sant Jordi - +34 937 441 573

– Baga:
Ca l’Amagat – Rustic – Gastrohotel - +34938 244 032
other accommodation http://www.turismebaga.cat/

? Refueling
Many shops in Bellver de Cerdanya and Bagà.

STAGE 11: BAGA – GOSOL

This portion of the route will make you discover the impressive massif of Pedraforca (Pierre-Fourchu). The slopes are wooded covered with Scots pine with red trunks. The stage is made in Gosol which protected a country where the Cathars took refuge and where later the painter Pablo Picasso stayed.

Walking time: 6 p.m.
Distance: 18 km
Elevation +/-: 1 m / 050 m

?️ Sleep
– Gisclareny:
Refuge Vents del Cadí - +34938 029 227

– Gosol:
Refuge Moli de Gosol - +34636 564 310
Hostal Cal Francisco - +34973 37 00 75

? Refueling
Shops in Gosol.

STAGE 12: GOSOL – CAL BARBUT OR REFUGI RASOS DE PEGUERA

Take the time for a real break in the abandoned village of Péguera located in the heart of peaceful meadows. A good option is to stay at the rural hotel Cal Barbuts in Fumanya, where Charlotte will welcome you with a smile and a drink! To get to Cal Barbut, you have to deviate about 4 km from the trail.

Another accommodation option in this stage is the Chalet-Refuge des Rasos de Peguera, to get there there is a path, the PR-C 73 (Sender de Sant Corneli) that connects the GR®107 from Espinalbet to the refuge (8,27km)

Gosol – Cal Barbut
Walking time: 8 p.m.
Distance: 23 km
Elevation +/-: 910m / 950m

OU

Gosol – Refugi Rasos de Peguera
Walking time: 8h
Distance: 21 km
Elevation +/-: 1m / 110m

?️ Sleep
– Figols:
Hostel Cal Barbut – (4 km. from Peguera) – +34938 240 102
If you make a reservation, you can ask them to pick you up to save you miles of asphalt. Especially book it in advance because there is no good network coverage on this stretch.

– Castellar del Riu:
Refugee Rasos de Peguera – (8 km. from the Espinalbet GR) +34640 161 482

? Refueling
No supplies possible.

STAGE 13: CAL BARBUT OR REFUGI RASOS DE PEGUERA – BERGA

You arrive at the end of this short stage marked by the visit of the Sanctuary of Queralt marking the end of the Chemin des Bonshommes. Many Cathars from Languedoc found refuge there. In the distance, we can see the mountains of Montserrat. The small town of Berga is the capital of the Comarca du Bergueda. You are 1 hour from Barcelona.

Cal Barbut–Bergua
Walking time: 6 p.m.
Distance: 20 km
Elevation +/-: 530m / 1m

OU

Refuge Rasos de Peguera – Berga
Walking time: 5h
Distance: 15 km
Elevation +/-: 320m / 960m

?️Sleeping
Berga Resort - +34938 211 250
Bergueda Tourist Office / Berga - +34654 125 696



Transport by realizing the full version

Plan the day for the return trip by public transport.

Option 1: return home from Barcelona : the route arrives at the Sanctuary of Queralt, 8 km from Berga, approximately 1 hour's walk to reach the city center.

Option 2: Berga ➡️ Foix : from Berga join Puigcerda by Bus with the company Alsa: https://www.alsa.com/fr/web/bus/gares
Then from Puigcerda to Latour de Carol enveitg by train (15 min) or on foot (1h)
Then take a train from Latour de Carol to Foix

Other practical information:

Regular lines in Catalonia: http://rodalies.gencat.cat/es/linies_estacions_i_trens/

? Taxis :
Taxi Xavier Collell - Tel: 650 131 172/639 326 218 - Guardiola de Berguedà - taxi@bergueda.org
Taxi Oscar Reixats: Tel: 639 115 136 BERGA xin_64@hotmail.com
Taxi Sala: Tel: 973 515054/646 33 17 44 MARTINET martasalajordana@hotmail.com
Taxi Trail: Tel. 686 34 98 57 (Jordi) - BAGA - info@taxitrail.com - https://taxitrail.com/


The path of the fellows in 2, 5, 6 or 7 days

IN 2 DAYS, FROM MONTGAILHARD TO Montségur

Montgailhard ➡️ Roquefixade ➡️ Montsegur

In 2 days the path can be done all year round without difficulty. Possibility to arrive by train in Foix (Latour de carol - Toulouse line) or to leave your car at Foix station where parking is free.

? To reach Montgailhard from Foix: Montgailhard is accessible from Foix on foot (6 km) or by the city shuttle, line 4 (except Sundays).



? You can also take a taxi, especially on Sundays, to reach Foix station as far as Montgailhard or vice versa:
Taxi Cazalbou Cédric: 06 42 27 44 04
Taxi Deramond: 06 08 99 15 62
Taxi Chantal: 07 70 18 84 35
Taxi Alex: 06 02 13 61 96
Taxi audabram: www.taxis-audabram.eu 05.61.01.34.54 or 06.80.71.41.59

? On foot from Foix to Montgailhard:
Duration: 01:55 / 5,98 km / 90 m D+ / 20 m D- / Path: 2,68 km / Street: 1,45 km / Road: 1,81 km


For the return, take the 450 Bus line from Montségur to Pamiers. If you are parked at Foix station, take a train from Pamiers to Foix to collect your car.
Occitanie region public transport website: www.mestrajets.lio.laregion.fr

in 5 days, from montgailhard to Ax-les-Thermes

Montgailhard ➡️ Roquefixade ➡️ Montségur ➡️ Comus ➡️ Refuge du Chioula ➡️ Ax les therms

In 5 days the path can be done from May to the end of October without difficulty. Possibility to arrive by train in Foix (line Latour de carol -> Toulouse) or to leave your car at Foix station where parking is free.

? To reach Montgailhard from Foix: Montgailhard is accessible from Foix on foot (4km) or by the urban shuttle (except Sunday).

? You can also take a taxi, especially on Sundays, to reach Foix station as far as Montgailhard or vice versa:
Taxi Cazalbou Cédric: 06 42 27 44 04
Taxi Deramond: 06 08 99 15 62
Taxi Chantal: 07 70 18 84 35
Taxi Alex: 06 02 13 61 96
Taxi audabram: www.taxis-audabram.eu 05.61.01.34.54 or 06.80.71.41.59

? On foot from Foix to Montgailhard :
Duration: 01:55 / 5,98 km / 90 m D+ / 20 m D- / Path: 2,68 km / Street: 1,45 km / Road: 1,81 km

Arrival at Ax les thermes and take the train towards Toulouse (line Latour de Carol ➡️ Toulouse)

Occitanie region public transport website:  www.mestrajets.lio.laregion.fr

?️Sleeping in Ax-les-Thermes
Numerous accommodations in Ax les Thermes – 05 61 64 60 60 – www.pyrenees-ariegeoises.com

Possibility of extending the route: one or two days using the same rail line (Latour de Carol line ➡️ Toulouse) 

in 6 days, from montgailhard to Mérens-Les-Vals

Montgailhard ➡️ Roquefixade ➡️ Montségur ➡️ Comus ➡️ Refuge du Chioula ➡️ Orlu / Orgeix ➡️ Mérens les Vals

Departure station: Foix / Arrival station: Mérens les Vals

In 7 days, from Montgailhard to L'hospitalet-près-l'andorre

Montgailhard ➡️ Roquefixade ➡️ Montségur ➡️ Comus ➡️ Refuge du Chioula ➡️ Orlu / Orgeix ➡️ Mérens les Vals ➡️ Hospitalet near Andorra

Departure station: Foix / Arrival station: L'hospitalet near Andorra

to go further, reading ideas

? KING LADURIE Emmanuel, Montaillou, Occitan village from 1294 to 1324, Editions Gallimard, Folio History Collection, 2016.

Montaillou: small village of mountaineers and shepherds in upper Ariège, 1 meters above sea level. In 300, Jacques Fournier, bishop of Pamiers, later pope of Avignon, deployed his talents as an inquisitor there. Maigret before the letter, Jacques Fournier ends up unearthing all the secrets of the village. Nothing escapes this fervent bishop, neither intimate lives nor the dramas of daily existence. Based on this extraordinary document by Jacques Fournier, a sort of true novel of the little people of the 1320th century, Emmanuel Le Roy Ladurie resurrects, using the most up-to-date historical and ethnographic methods, the Occitan and Cathar reality of six hundred and fifty years.

Two reference authors on Catharism:
– Michel Roquebert
–Anne Brenon

An exhaustive bibliography here.


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The Cathar trail - GR367, the GR10, the Pérics tour ...