The Crusader Trail - Cathar Castles Walk

4.5Based on

Carbon neutral

7 daysDuration

Private TourPrivate experience, no group joining

15 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Toulouse, France

Ends

Toulouse, France

Highlights

Walking along ancient trails in the stunning Corbières region

Exploring the ruins of Cathar castles

Experiencing interesting villages and towns en route

Enjoying excellent local cuisine and the warm hospitality of the guesthouses

Itinerary

Step into a world of medieval intrigue and dramatic landscapes on The Crusader Trail – Cathar Castles Walk. This seven-day, moderate self-guided walking tour starts and ends in Toulouse, offering experienced travelers and seniors a fascinating journey through the heart of Cathar country in southern France.

Follow secret trails winding through forests, vineyards, and orchards to reach the legendary Cathar castles perched atop rugged hills. Learn about the 12th- and 13th-century Cathar sect and the epic crusades that shaped the region’s history, with highlights including the castle at Puivert—Chateau de Troubadours—and evocative villages like Roquefixade and Quillan.

What makes this tour package exceptional is its combination of stunning natural scenery and rich historical storytelling, making it a rewarding experience for walkers and history enthusiasts alike. With accommodations, meals, and logistics arranged, you’re free to immerse yourself in the legends and beauty of the Corbières region.

For those who seek adventure and enlightenment along ancient paths, the Cathar Castles Walk is a journey unlike any other.

day 1 - Join Perpignan, transfer to Chateau de Quéribus, walk to Duilhac (2.5-3hrs)

This morning at 10:30am you will be met at the SNCF train station in Perpignan and transferred to Grau de Maury at the foot of the Château de Quéribus, a well preserved border castle with terrific views towards the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees. After spending some time exploring the castle you begin hiking to Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse through oak forest and the hill top village of Cucugnac with its restored windmill which grinds flour for the local bakery.

Distance: 10km/6.2mi, ascend: +300m/984ft, descend: -500m/1640ft

Meals:Dinner

day 2 - Climb to Peyrepertuse castle, hike to Galamus Gorges, transfer to gite-hotel (5-6hrs)

The day begins with a steep climb to the magnificent Château Peyrepertuse, where the ruins are extensive, giving you a different angle on Quéribus. It is an amazing building, almost indistinguishable from the surrounding crags at first glance. The route descends from the castle through the soft-leaved scrubland and finally reaches the deep and spectacular Galamus gorges. There is a subterranean hermitage and some riverside pools that would make for a refreshing dip on a hot day. You walk through the gorge, and at its end there is a 6pm transfer to the small and pretty hamlet of Camps-sur-l'Agly, below the Pic de Bugarach.

Distance: 19km/11.8mi, ascend: +550m/1840ft, descend: -550m/1804ft

Meals:Breakfast and Dinner

day 3 - An impressive walk with excellent views en route to Puilaurens Castle (5-6hrs)

Today you make your way via the Corbieres ridges and a gorgeous day unfolds, walking steeply up through the forests and over a high pass called Col de Pechines (915m) with its panoramic view of the Pyrenees. A very steep winding descent on the GR, which is harder than the average for this trip, brings you off the massif and down to the village of Caudies de Fenouilledes. The second half of the walk is relatively flat until a final steep ascent takes you to the next castle at Puilaurens. You can explore on your own or there is the option for a guided tour to learn about Catharism (book and pay locally). After your castle visit, an evening transfer will take you to the old hat making town of Quillan, where you stay overnight.

Distance: 18.2km/11.3mi, ascend: +700m/2297ft, descend: -800m/2625ft

Meals:Breakfast and Dinner

day 4 - Pass interesting villages en route to Puivert Castle (Troubadour Castle) (5-7hrs)

The route today takes you from Quillan through farmland, ascending the Col de Brénac and through the village of Brénac where Petrus Amelius, a key religious figure in the 14th Century was born. After a second pass you arrive at the village of Nébias which sits on the Atlantic-Mediterranean Drainage divide, the so-called ‘Partage des Eaux’ that divides the village. It is symbolized by a fountain. The area is under three different climatic influences: Mediterranean, oceanic and alpine. From here there is the option to extend the walk a couple of hours along a nature trail called the 'Labyrinthe Vert,' a wild area of mossy woods amidst limestone pavements. The trail continues from Nébias and up again onto a woody ridge leading to Puivert Castle, well known as the Troubadour castle. It was here that the 12th century poet-musicians sang the praises of new values and ideas to the villagers. Staying in the pretty village of Puivert you should have time to visit the museum which has contemporary recordings of the songs once sung at the castle. For thirsty walkers there is also a microbrewery.

Accommodation requires that you being a sleep sheet. Pillows and blankets are provided.

Distance: 16-21km/9.9-13mi, ascend: +610m/2001ft, descend -100m/328ft

Meals:Breakfast and Dinner

day 5 - Transfer to Montsegur to visit castle, continue to Roquefixade (6hrs)

After breakfast transfer to Montségur, originally thought to have been a planned village built for those constructing the castle. There is a small museum here and a traditional bakery. There's an optional short steep climb where you can visit the castle (fortress) which acted as the last stronghold of the Cathars. The existing castle is a later construction, but around the back are the remains of the Cathar dwellings and you get a good impression of the original site, with impressive views towards the Pyrenees. On the lower slopes is a memorial, normally covered in flowers, to the 225 Cathars who were burnt to death here in 1244. The walk continues into the pretty village of Montferrier before you ascend again through the Mondini forest and traverse to the charming village of Roquefixade via a scenic ridge.

Distance: 19km/11.8mi, ascend: +650m/2133ft, descend: -900m/2953ft

Meals:Breakfast and Dinner

day 6 - Traverse a high ridge with stunning views to the small town of Foix (6-7hrs)

Today begins with a beautiful ridge hike to Château de Roquefixade. This was an important Cathar refuge but once again the present-day ruins are much more modern. Continue to the beautiful township of Foix. Its imposing castle is the best preserved Château on the route due to its more or less continuous occupation from Cathar times. It was once owned by the Counts of Foix, but they eventually gave up their Cathar faith and submitted to the French Crown.

Distance: 18.5km/11.5mi, ascend: +500m/1640ft, descend: -800m/2625ft

Meals:Breakfast

day 7 - Trip concludes after breakfast

The trip concludes after breakfast. We recommend taking some time to visit the Foix castle before departing Foix.

We can assist with a transfer to return to Perpignan if required - supplement applies, please ask for our rates.

Meals:Breakfast

The Crusader Trail - Cathar Castles Walk

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What's Included

Accommodation

6 nights accommodation is included: 5 nights on a twin share basis in a combination of small family run hotels, B&Bs and gites/guesthouses, some nights with private facilities and some with share facilities, and 1 night in a gite-hostel in a small dormitory with shared facilities. Single rooms are available on three nights only (days 1, 4 & 6), other nights are in small multishare dormitories (a supplement applies for single travellers).

Meals

6 breakfasts, 5 dinners - Continental breakfasts are served and usually consist of breads, jams, cheese, occasionally eggs and meats, coffee, tea and juices. Dinner will consist of 2 to 3 courses which include regional specialties.

Others

Digital information pack including GPX tracksLuggage transfer - limited to one bag weighing a maximum of 20kg per person. Any excess luggage should be stored at your pre-tour hotel, or we can arrange for its transfer from Perpignan to Foix - supplement applies (note you will not have access to this luggage during the trip).All internal transfers described in the programEmergency hotline

What's Excluded

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Highlights

Itinerary

day 1 - Join Perpignan, transfer to Chateau de Quéribus, walk to Duilhac (2.5-3hrs)

day 2 - Climb to Peyrepertuse castle, hike to Galamus Gorges, transfer to gite-hotel (5-6hrs)

day 3 - An impressive walk with excellent views en route to Puilaurens Castle (5-6hrs)

day 4 - Pass interesting villages en route to Puivert Castle (Troubadour Castle) (5-7hrs)

day 5 - Transfer to Montsegur to visit castle, continue to Roquefixade (6hrs)

day 6 - Traverse a high ridge with stunning views to the small town of Foix (6-7hrs)

day 7 - Trip concludes after breakfast

Get Trip Brochure & Exclusive Discount

What's Included

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

4.5

Tour Availability

Monthly Price Comparison

Do you need help from our trip consultants?

Why Book with Bookmundi

What are customers saying about Bookmundi

Anonymous

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What's Included

What's Excluded

Itinerary

day 1 - Join Perpignan, transfer to Chateau de Quéribus, walk to Duilhac (2.5-3hrs)

day 2 - Climb to Peyrepertuse castle, hike to Galamus Gorges, transfer to gite-hotel (5-6hrs)

day 3 - An impressive walk with excellent views en route to Puilaurens Castle (5-6hrs)

day 4 - Pass interesting villages en route to Puivert Castle (Troubadour Castle) (5-7hrs)

day 5 - Transfer to Montsegur to visit castle, continue to Roquefixade (6hrs)

day 6 - Traverse a high ridge with stunning views to the small town of Foix (6-7hrs)

day 7 - Trip concludes after breakfast

Monthly Price Comparison

Customer Reviews

4.5

Keep Exploring France

Traveler Types

Tour Types

Top activities in France

Other France Recommendations

France tour packages departing in