Between Aude and Ariège, explore the Cathar Trail – GR367 where the tumultuous past of the “perfects” will be told to you. With its 250km of path, between littoral et Pyrenees, this route astonishes all the hikers who venture there. Tons of landscapes are revealed there, the Cathar castles and citadels of vertigo offer their story on a platter with the icing on the cake: the town of Foix.
Information to know:
- The departure is at Port-la-Nouvelle and arrival at Foix (temporary diversion to Montgailhard). A large part of the route is located in Aude.
- The Marking is Red and yellow.
- A good physical condition and knowledge hiking are strongly recommended.
- You can do this trail on foot or on horseback.
The stages of the Cathar Trail:
➡️ Step 1: From Port-la-Nouvelle to Durban-Corbières • 29 km • Approximately 6h45 walk
➡️ Step 2: From Durban-Corbières to Tuchan • 28 km • Around 7 hours of walking
➡️ Step 3: From Tuchan to Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse • 23 km • Approximately 6h15 walk
➡️ Step 4 (2 alternatives): From Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse to Cubières-sur-Cinoble • 13,2 km • Approximately 4 hours of walking ou from Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse to Prugnanes • 20 km • Around 5h45 walk
➡️ Step 5 (2 alternatives): From Cubières-sur-Cinoble to Bugarach • 16,8 km • Approximately 4h50 walk ou from Prugnanes to Puilaurens • 18 km • Around 4h50 walk
➡️ Step 6 (2 alternatives): From Bugarach to Quillan • 24 km • Approximately 6h30 walk ou from Puilaurens to Quirbajou • 23 km • Approximately 6h15 walk
➡️ Step 7 (2 alternatives): From Quillan to Puivert – 21 km – Approximately 5h45 walk ou from Quirbajou to Puivert • 22 km • Approximately 5h45 walk
➡️ Step 8: From Puivert to Espezel • 17km • Around 4h30 walking
➡️ Step 9: From Espezel to Comus • 20 km • Approximately 5h15 walk
➡️ Step 10: From Comus to Montségur • 14,5 km • Approximately 3h30 walk
➡️ Step 11: From Montségur to Roquefixade • 17 km • Approximately 4h15 walk
➡️ Step 12: From Roquefixade to Montgailhard •18 km • Around 4h50 of walking
⚠️ Temporary diversion from Montgailhard to Foix
The most beautiful spots on the Cathar trail, between the coast and the Pyrenees
This is not to be chauvinistic... but how can we not include in the most beautiful spots of the Cathar Trail, the 3 Ariège bastions that are the castles of Montsegur, Roquefixity et Foix. Each with their singularities, they come to beautify this path of great hiking.
Obviously, we cannot talk about this legendary trail without mentioning the citadels of vertigo where you will come across many Cathar castles of the aude country : the castle Aguilar, the castle of Quéribus, the castle of Peyrepertuse, the castle of Puivert And the one of Puilaurens. Dominating on their rocky spurs, offering magnificent landscapes, they are without hesitation one of the most beautiful spots on the Cathar Trail.
Finally, it is impossible not to talk about the starting point at Port-la-Nouvelle where you will begin your adventure with your feet in the water, isn’t life beautiful?
