The Crusader Trail - Cathar Castles Walk

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

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

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. Quillan holds a market on Wed and Sat. Both markets run from approximately 8:30am until 12:30pm and offer a great selection of fresh local produce and artisanal crafts. Wed Market: this is typically a vibrant, food-focused market featuring local fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and meats. Sat Market: this tends to be larger, featuring clothing and household goods in addition to local food market. Distance: 18.2km/11.3mi, ascend: +700m/2297ft, descend: -800m/2625ft

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

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

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

The trip concludes after breakfast. We recommend taking some time to visit the Foix castle before departing Foix. The castle is closed on Monday. We can assist with a transfer to return to Perpignan if required - supplement applies, please ask for our rates.