7 days tour

The Crusader Trail - Cathar Castles Walk

The Crusader Trail - Cathar Castles Walk

This tour includes:

Transport

Luggage 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 program

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

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. Required to bring a sleep sheet. Single rooms are available on two nights only (days 1 & 6), other nights are in small multishare dormitories (a supplement applies for single travellers). During the trip you will be accommodated in a combination of small family run hotels, B&Bs and gites/guesthouses. The hotels and some guesthouses have private facilities, at times there are share facilities. At Roquefixade it is a gite-hostel and you will stay in a small dormitory with shared facilities. Sheet and sleeping bag provided. Single rooms are available on two nights only (days 1 and 6), other nights are in small dormitories. The accommodation has been specially chosen for the location, character and fabulous cuisine typical of the region.

Others

Digital information pack including GPX tracks Emergency hotline

Not included:

Flights

Guide

Self Guided Tour.

Others

Travel to Perpignan and from Foix Meals not listed as included, drinks Travel insurance - mandatory Guide โ€“ this is a self-guided walking holiday A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room Entrance fees not listed as included Optional transfer Foix to Perpignan Transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage Excess luggage Hotel taxes if applicable โ€“ payable directly to the hotel Items of a personal nature Daypack, wet weather gear, good walking boots / shoes, water bottle, sleep sheet and sun protection. A comprehensive gear list is included in the pre-departure information provided on booking.

Insurance

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip The Crusader Trail - Cathar Castles Walk

  • Day 1 Day 1: Join Perpignan, Transfer To Chateau De Quรฉribus, Walk To Duilhac (3-4Hrs)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1: Join Perpignan, Transfer To Chateau De Quรฉribus, Walk To Duilhac (3-4Hrs)

      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 Chรขteau de Quรฉribus, 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

  • Day 2 Day 2: Climb To Peyrepertuse Castle, Hike To Galamus Gorges, Transfer To Gite-Hotel (5-6Hrs)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      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 Chรขteau Peyrepertuse, where the ruins are extensive, giving you a different angle on Quรฉribus. 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-lโ€™Agly, below the Pic de Bugarach. Distance: 19km/11.8mi, ascend: +550m/1840ft, descend: -550m/1804ft

  • Day 3 Day 3: An Impressive Walk With Excellent Views En Route To Puilaurens Castle (5-6Hrs)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      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

  • Day 4 Day 4: Pass Interesting Villages En Route To Puivert Castle (Troubadour Castle) (5-7Hrs)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      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 Brรฉnac and through the village of Brรฉnac where Petrus Amelius, a key religious figure in the 14th Century was born. After a second pass you arrive at the village of Nรฉbias which sits on the Atlantic-Mediterranean Drainage divide, the so-called โ€˜Partage des Eauxโ€™ 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 โ€™Labyrinthe Vert,โ€™ a wild area of mossy woods amidst limestone pavements. The trail continues from Nรฉbias 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

  • Day 5 Day 5: Transfer To Montsegur To Visit Castle, Continue To Roquefixade (6Hrs)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Transfer To Montsegur To Visit Castle, Continue To Roquefixade (6Hrs)

      After breakfast transfer to Montsรฉgur, originally thought to have been a planned village built for those constructing the castle. There is a small museum here and a traditional bakery. Thereโ€™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

  • Day 6 Day 6: Traverse A High Ridge With Stunning Views To The Small Town Of Foix (6-7Hrs)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      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 Chรขteau 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 Chรขteau 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

  • Day 7 Day 7: Trip Concludes After Breakfast
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      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.

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Average

There are several physical activities that last from 2 to 6 hours in easy terrains, low altitude flats, or water experiences. Please ask if youโ€™re not sure this applies to you.

Age range

Age range

Min: 2 / Max: 99

Age range allowed for this experience.

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