The Cathar Trail and its major sites: from Carcassonne to Foix

These fortresses remain the living memory of a tragic history which marked the South-West of France, during the Albigensian Crusade.

Departing from Carcassonne and its famous medieval city, you will set off to discover the most famous sites and castles in Cathar history.

First of all, in the Aude department, you will have the opportunity to visit the eagle's nest of Quéribus, the incredible fortress of Peyrepertuse, Puilaurens, a bastion par excellence, and finally Puivert, land of the Troubadours.

In Ariège, you will explore the castle of Montségur, the highest of the Cathar castles, standing on its "pog" at an altitude of 1207m. Then, before reaching the city of Foix and its castle, you will visit Montségur's close neighbor, Roquefixade perched at the top of an impressive cliff.

Beyond the discovery of a territory, its heavy and omnipresent history, this Cathar country is rich in magnificent and varied landscapes, influenced by the Mediterranean and Mountain climates which merge here, but also by the work of Nature which has dug the gorges in the limestone, shaped the rocky spurs and allowed Man, throughout time, to exploit these natural riches.

Additional Information :
Day 1: Start of stay in Carcassonne

Start of your stay in Carcassonne, check-in to your accommodation.

Day 2: From Carcassonne to the Château de Quéribus

In the morning, visit and discover the famous medieval city of Carcassonne. At the end of the morning, transfer to the castle of Quéribus, the "citadel of vertigo". Built on its rocky peak, this true eagle's nest remained the last place of Cathar resistance during the Crusade against the Albigensians in 1255. Perched at 788m, from the summit terrace of the keep, magnificent landscapes unfold before our eyes, from the summit of Canigou to the plains of Roussillon and Corbières. Then you will join Duilhac sous Peyrepertuse via a short hike through the vineyards of Corbières, the fragrant scrubland and the very pretty village of Cucugnan.
Distance: 10km, duration: approximately 3 hours, elevation gain: +200m, elevation loss: -450m

Day 3: From Duilhac sous Peyrepertuse to Cubières sur Cinoble

A scenic route with a visit to the Peyrepertuse fortress: the castle stands at an altitude of 800m on a limestone ridge. It is one of the finest examples of Cathar fortresses, part of the ancient defense line of the "five sons of Carcassonne."

Then, a unique crossing of the Gorges de Galamus, an impressive canyon and an extraordinary natural site. The Agly, the river of eagles, cascades from waterfall to waterfall, carving out the rock, where the road, built in 1884, clings halfway up the cliff. During the stage, visit the Hermitage de Galamus: it is a humble house and a sanctuary built in a cave surrounded by boxwood and holm oaks: an exceptional natural curiosity.
Distance: 16km, duration: approximately 5h30, elevation gain: +700m, elevation loss: -600m
OR Distance: 19km, duration: approximately 6h30, elevation gain: +850m, elevation loss: -750m (with round trip to Peyrepertuse castle)

Day 4: From Caudies de Fenouillèdes to the Château de Puilaurens

In the morning, transfer from Cubières to Caudies de Fenouillèdes. Then, hike to the superb Puilaurens Castle, perched on a rocky spur at 697m, in the heart of a coniferous forest. Before that, you'll hike through the St Jaumes and Aigues Bonnes gorges. From the bottom of the gorges, the path carved into the rock leads to the castles of Saint Pierre and Castel Sabarda. Transfer to your accommodation in Quillan at the end of the hike.
Distance: 14,5km, duration: about 5h, elevation gain: +650m; elevation loss: -550m

Day 5: From Quillan to Puivert

Departing from Quillan, the route will allow you to quickly discover the transition from Mediterranean influence to Pyrenean influence. From valleys to hills, you will see the imposing fortress of Puivert, a 12th-century feudal castle and former meeting place for the most famous troubadours. The village of Puivert is also of particular interest for its vestiges of the past and its Quercorb Museum, a superb achievement, meticulously recounting the evocation of life in the Quercorb at the end of the last century.
Distance: 20km, duration: approximately 6h30, elevation gain: +750m, elevation loss: -550m

Day 6: From Montségur to Foix

In the morning, transfer from Puivert to Montsegur. 1-hour visit to the castle of Montségur, which symbolizes the resistance of the dying Cathar Church against the Church of Rome, but also against the King of France and the lords of the North, in search of the fertile lands of the South: they took possession of the site after the surrender and the stake of 1244. After the visit of the castle, transfer from Montsegur to Roquefixade and hike to Foix through a beautiful panoramic route.
Distance: 17km, duration: approximately 6 hours, elevation gain: +550m, elevation loss: -900m

Day 7: Visit the town of Foix and its castle, end of stay

Your stay ends in Foix. You can visit the old town center with its narrow streets steeped in history, as well as the count's castle perched on its rock. It's undergoing a facelift after two years of renovations worthy of the greatest medieval projects!

The programs have been established according to the latest elements known at the time of writing: imponderables are always possible and situations beyond our control may modify the course of events.

Supplements: - Single room supplement: €200/person - 4-day packed lunch supplement: €55/person - Return transfer from Foix to Carcassonne: €215/transfer - Return transfer from Foix to Carcassonne Sundays and public holidays: €265/transfer - Additional night in Carcassonne, night + breakfast, double room: €60/person - Additional night in Carcassonne, night + breakfast, single room: €95/person - Additional night in Foix, night + breakfast, double room: €60/person - Additional night in Foix, night + breakfast, single room: €85/person

The price does not include

-Insurance -Dinners on days 1 and 6 -Visits and access to the castles -Drinks and picnics. -€15 administration fee

The price includes

- Half-board accommodation except for days 1 and 6 on a bed and breakfast basis - Luggage transport - Transfers on days 2, 4 and 6 - Travel pack with maps and guidebook - GPS tracks on request + access to the detailed itinerary on the GPS Mhikes mobile application bile GPS Mhikes

Accommodation

• Bed & Breakfasts
• Hotel
• Stopover gîte / stay