Guided Walking Holidays in Languedoc, France
Cathar Castles Trail
The Cathar Castles Trail links together some of the most spectacular small castles in France. Situated in the Languedoc, it begins near the shores of the Mediterranean and ends in the town of Foix, below the fairy-tale castle of Gaston Phoebus. |  |
 | Although this trip has many highlights – limestone gorges, rocky peaks and ancient ruins – one of the attractions is the chance to explore the countryside and villages of a comparatively undeveloped area of France. |
| This two week trip gives you time to immerse yourself in this fascinating region and allows a day at the end to explore the magical city of Carcassonne. |  |
Accommodation is in a variety of small hotels and chambres d’hôte (Bed & Breakfast) or gîtes d’étape. Each day
all baggage (except your daypack) will be transported to our next overnight stop.
Breakfast and dinner are provided except on days 1,4, 6,,12 and 13. You are free to purchase your own lunches.
Arrival is on Saturday at Perpignan, followed by minibus transfer to the first accommodation.
Day 1 (Saturday): Arrive Perpignan. Collection from airport. Hotel accommodation in Port-la-Nouvelle
Day 2 (Sunday): Short taxi ride to Roquefort. Roquefort - Durban 17k (10.5ml) + 500m Hotel accommodation
Day 3 (Monday): Durban - Tuchan 25k (15.5ml) + 800m Gite d'etape accommodation (Gite Saint Roch)
Day 4 (Tuesday): Tuchan– Duilhac 24k (15ml) + 750m. An attractive stage passing below limestone cliffs, through vineyards and the scented undergrowth of the garrigue. Castles: Padern, Queribus.
Hotel accommodation (Hostellerie du Vieux Moulin)
Day 5 (Wednesday): Duilhac – Camps sur l’Agly 20k (12.5ml) + 830m. A picturesque day which includes a visit to the Chateau of Peyrepertuse and the spectacular Gorges de Galamus. Castle: Peyrpertuse
Gite d'etape accommodation (Gite la Bastide)
Day 6 (Thursday): Camps sur l’Agly – Bugarach 14.5k (9ml) + 500m. A shorter day, which gives us the option of climbing the Pech de Bugarach(4,000ft). Gite d'etape accommodation (Maison de la nature)
Day 7 (Friday): Bugarach – Quillan 24.5k (15.5ml) + 700m.The terrain becomes one of wooded and watered valleys, and the day ends in the town of Quillan. Castle: Château des Templiers; Quillan.
Hotel accommodation (Hotel Cartier)
Day 8 (Saturday): Quillan - Puivert 21k (13ml) + 700m Mediterranean influences give way to the Pyrenees as we exchange vineyards for pasture and woodland Castle: Puivert Gite d'etape accommodation (
Day 9 (Sunday): Puivert - Espezel 20.5k (13ml) + 500m Through the forest of Picaussel and across the Plateau de Sault. Hotel accommodation (Hotel Grau)
Day 10 (Monday): Espezel - Comus 20.5k (13ml) + 500m Ancient pine forests as we draw a little closer to the mountains. We end the day close to the famous village of Montaillou Gite d'etape
Day 11 (Tuesday): Comus - Montsegur 14.5k (9ml) +500m A day of high plateaux, giving way to the impressive cliffs of the Gorges de la Frau. Castle: Montségur Hotel accommodation.
Day 11 (Wednesday): Montségur - La Roquefixade 16.5k (10.5ml) + 550m. A pleasant day through the wool-producing Pays d’Olmes. Castle: La Roquefixade. Gite d’étape accommodation (Relais des Pogs)
Day 12 (Thursday): La Roquefixade – Foix 18.5k ( 11.5ml) + 500m) An undulating day’s walk leads us finally down to our journey’s end in the capital of the Pays de Foix. Castle: Foix. Hotel accommodation (Hotel Lons)
Day 13 (Friday): Transfer to Carcassonne. Day in Carcassonne amongst the towers and crenellated walls of the old city - used in films such as "Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves". Hotel accommodation (Hotel le Pont Vieux)
Day 14 (Saturday): Travel home
Weather: Temperatures in the Languedoc in September can vary from the coastal plain where it is warm and dry to the possibility of some cooler weatherin the Pyrenean foothills, but when the sun shines it is strong, so protection against sunburn is advisable. Nights can be chilly in the second half of this trip.
Grade and Terrain: (Grade B) This trip is suitable for any regular hill-walker. Paths are generally good, although there are some rough sections. Longer ascents and descents are usually well graded.
Accommodation and Meals: Overnight accommodation is in simple but comfortable village inns, chambres d’hôte and gîtes d’étape. Twin-bedded rooms are usually available in the inns and chambres d’hôte, (although single people can be catered for), but dormitory accommodation is likely in gîtes d’étape
Three-course evening meals are provided each evening, with a continental breakfast in the morning.
Daily Routine: Each morning after breakfast (normally 7.00 - 7.30 a.m) we ask that you bring your bags down to be loaded into the support vehicle. We suggest that you bring just one bag each, preferably of the soft "sports" style, as these are easier than suitcases to load into the support vehicle. During the day you need carry only a light daypack.
We set off around 8.00 a.m. and walk for about an hour, when we stop for a short break. Then we continue until lunch, between 12 and 1p.m., which is usually at a viewpoint, by a stream or some other pleasant spot. Other breaks are taken as required.
We generally arrive at our overnight accommodation between 3 and 5 p.m. and you will find your bags awaiting you.
Dinner is usually between 7.30 - 8.00 p.m. We ask that you pay for any drinks the same night.
Groups often find it most convenient to operate a kitty system for drinks.
Equipment list
Walking boots or trekking shoes, lightweight, waterproof, supportive and comfortable
Rucksack (45 – 50 litres)
Waterproof top & trousers, preferably fairly light.
Sunhat.
Fleece gloves or similar
Lightweight fleece
Long trousers or tracksuit bottoms (lightweight polycotton or microfibre etc.)
Shorts
Shirts (incl. one long-sleeved.)
Underwear.
Walking socks.
Sandals or light footwear.
Water-bottle,at least 1 litre, or preferably 2.
Trail food: cereal bars, nuts & raisins, dried fruit
Sun cream.
First-aid kit (perhaps including. blister treatment, Immodium, anitiseptic handwash, water purifiers.)
Washbag (soap, shampoo, toothpaste etc…..)
Towel.
Toilet paper.
Torch and batteries.
Sheet or lightweight sleeping bag. (for gites)
Poly bags (useful for food, dirty clothes, maps etc.)
Knife (and possibly spoon) for picnics etc.
You may want to bring:
Book to read
Camera (& film.)
Binoculars.
Flower book
Alarm clock.
Walking poles (highly recommended )
Grade: B
Dates: September 5th - 19th 2010
Cost: (£995 land only)