France - Cathar Castles trail - Hike from Quillan to Foix. (part 2)
The Cathar trail - from Quillan to Foix.
Along the Pyrenees between The Medieval City of Carcassonne and Toulouse, this walk starts in the small village of Quillan to reach the charming city of Foix and progresses from wild, lush countryside to mountains and sun-blessed vineyards, with a cultural heritage which derives from some of the most mysterious and dramatic pages of Medieval France. From one Cathar castle to another, the walks are an immersion in sceneries off the beaten tracks with comfortable and carefully chosen accommodation.
Day 1
Arrive Quillan. Night in ***Hotel, B&B.
Day 2
QUILLAN - PUIVERT - 22 km – 6h00 - +700 m
From that stage the mediterranean influences fade away to make way to the Quercorb area, a region of small isolated mountains arising from the plain.The Nebias plateau and the Puivert Castle. In Puivert you will find a medieval museum.
Day 3
PUIVERT - ESPEZEL - 17.5 km – 5h30
Keep you eyes open : this stage is a transition from the olive-tree of the mediterranean vegetation to the fir and beech forest. Higher trees and green landscape.
Day 4
ESPEZEL - COMUS - 20.5 km – 5h30 - + 300m
The walk follows a footpath crossing the open pastures area and the beautiful beech forest to finally end in the mountain village of Comus which stands at 1200 m above the sea level.
Day 5
COMUS - MONTSEGUR 15 km – 4h00 -
Today the walk first crosses the bottonm of the Frau Gorges and then arrives at Montségur where the Castle is the terrible witness of the Cathar History.(+1200 m)
Day 6
MONTSEGUR - ROQUEFIXADE 17.5 km – 4h30 - +550 m
The Pays d'Olmes and its green landscape takes you to the Castle of Roque fixade that offers an icredible point of viex over the Ariège Pyrenees.
Day 7
ROQUEFIXADE - FOIX 18.4 km – 5h00 - +500 m
A beautiful walk on the ridges up to the Gaston Febus city of Foix, capital of the Ariege, proud of its medieval castle overlooking the city.
Day 8
FOIX
End of the tour after breakfast. If you could not visit the castle yesterday, take the time to enjoy a guided visit.Departure after breakfast.
Included : see details in Dates and Prices section
Guest houses, 2 and 3 star hotels
Half board (dinners)
The luggage transfers from hotel to hotel
A road book and a map
Phone and email English speaking assistance
Access : Toulouse - Carcassonne. Train station
Starts in : Quillan
Ends in : Foix.
Information :
Phone : +33 558 48 71 65
See also : Cathar Castles from Tuchan to Quillan
How to reserve ? see details in Dates and prices section
How to Pay ?
Secure online payment - Credit Card
Highlights
.Gorgeous scenery with distant snow capped peaks.
.Wonderful food and wine.
.Charming villages.
