Sunday – Pick up from Toulouse, drive to Foix

The Chateau at Foix

Meet the guide at Toulouse SNCF railway station early Sunday afternoon, then transfer to the historic small town of Foix, arriving in time for a visit the town’s labyrinth of narrow streets and squares. The castle high over the town, with its two keeps, dates back to the times of the Albigensian wars with France when the Count of Foix was the strongest of defenders of the Cathar cause. Our accommodation for two nights is at a traditional, family run, 3 star hotel with a good restaurant overlooking the river Ariège. The buffet breakfast is served here too.

Monday – Roquefixade castle, using a circular ridge route

Today we take a superb off-the-beaten-track circuit on the limestone ridges of the Plantaurel hills, taking in the evocative ruins of Roquefixade castle, which towers directly over the untouched mediaeval village. The views of the Ariège Pyrenees are superb and in Spring and early Summer a wide variety of mountain and Mediterranean flora awaits us. The trail goes from sunny grassland to oak woods to rocky cliff-top (no need to approach the edge!), to varied farmland. Great birdlife too. Afternoon refreshments available in the old village…

Hike 12kms, Total height gain 500m.

Tuesday – Transfer East, Montségur and Puivert

The Cathar Innocents, Albigensian crusade

A transfer east to Quillan stopping to hike up to the famous Montségur castle, perched atop the high limestone cliffs at 1200m. Monségur is not only one of the foothills’ finest viewpoints but also the most poignant of all the great “Cathar” castles, as it was here, in 1244, that over 200 “heretics” were burned alive for their refusal to renounce their faith. This is also a rallying point for Languedoc nostalgics, a historic site with a unique story behind it.

In the afternoon we should also have time to walk up to the castle of Puivert further east (the most “genteel” of the castles, having been constructed post-conflict) and hopefully for a drink in the small, typical town of Quillan, where we our hotel for the next two nights is located.

Vehicle transfer 1 hour with visits. Hike 6 kms, Total height gain 300m.

Wednesday – Bugarach

Into the Corbières…for those in the know, the little village of Bugarach and its handsome limestone peak, are rich in folklore both ancient and modern. Cathar treasure, the Templars, witches, energy lines and even elves and UFOs converge here to make this unassuming place one of the focal points of Alternative France. And for those not in the know, just a varied walk through gorgeous landscapes around this summit whose peak is the high point of les Corbières at 1230m. We may even make it to the top if the group wishes.

Hike max 16km, Total height gain 620m (for tour not including summit)

Thursday – Puilaurens Castle, the Gorges de St Jaume, Fenouillet castle, Galamus gorges and hermitage

We head to the sunny eastern Corbières region, taking in sights such as castles, gorges and hermitages clinging to rocky edges, in an area of vines, herb-scented “garrigue” heath and evergreen oak woods.

Our first visit is a short, strenuous hike up to the castle of Puilaurens, another stronghold in the line of fortifications at the foot of the Pyrenees, hosting many features of mediaeval military architecture and beautiful, far-ranging views.

Further East again we visit the Gorges of Galamus, a great gash in the limestone hills, with an improbable road winding its way high over the river, and the Hermitage lodged in the rocks: a spectacular site with its cave chapel and tunnel access…

Finally we arrive at our hotel for two nights in the charming village of Duilhac, below the mighty castle of Peyrepertuse.

Transfer 1 hour, Hike max 10 km, Total height gain 420m

Friday – Woodlands of Corbières and Peyrepertuse Castle

Leaving our hotel on foot, we’ll enjoy the rich Mediterranean landscapes of the Corbières hills and then head up to Peyrepertuse Castle, the biggest of all the Cathar Country.

Our trail takes us through evergreen “maquis” woods, which in Spring are full of wildflowers, to the quiet Corbières village of Rouffiac. From here it’s a rewarding climb through the woods to reach the castle via its northern, much forgotten approach. Peyrepertuse is in fact two castles, the original to the east and the western keep added by Louis IX, “Saint Louis”, at the time of the conquest in the 1240s. The long, worn stairway up to this keep is still today known as the Stairs of St. Louis. It’s a fascinating place with the two keeps, intact ramparts, remains of chapels, great views over the Corbières…

Depending on your travel arrangements, possibility of visiting Queribus castle at the end of the day or tomorrow Saturday.

Hike max 13 km, Total height gain 600m

Saturday – Queribus Castle and return to Toulouse

Depending on your flight or other travel times, our final morning includes a short walk and visit to Queribus Castle. This was the very last castle to surrender to the forces of the French crown. It’s a compact, evocative, well-preserved site with views from the top of the little keep reaching as far as the Mediterranean sea and the border with Spain: a superb finish to our holiday.

We’ll then head to Toulouse, stopping off en-route for a picnic, before arriving at the station or airport mid-afternoon.

Hike max 3 km, Total height gain 150m.