Aude walks

Exploring La Montagne Noire and one of the highest waterfalls in Europe.

Travel across this ancient island with magnificent views of the ponds of Narbonne. A family-friendly hike in the scrubland and pine forests.

Just a few minutes from the beaches of Gruissan, the Massif de la Clape is an unspoilt haven of peace. This discovery trail winds its way through the vineyards of its renowned terroir, winding its way between rugged limestone cliffs and narrow canyons, where kermes oaks and Aleppo pines share the landscape. Finally, the Vigie and the Chapelle des Auzils offer hikers two exceptional views of the coastline... and far beyond.

A pleasant hike in the Massif de la Clape with beautiful views and a visit of the Chapel of Auzils and its marine cemetery. ⚠️ GPS tracking is essential for this hike! See reviews.

A loop from the magnificent Abbaye de Fontfroide in the massif of the same name. There are 360° views of the Corbières, the Pyrenees and the Aude coastline. With no major difficulties, the route only takes in the DFCI paths of this highly protected massif.

A very pretty little circuit, without any difficulty, offering superb views of the Lac de la Ganguise, the hillsides and the Pyrenees. There is very little tarmac, with most of the route following wide, clean paths. The starting point offers a chance to discover the magnificent little castle of Belflou.

This hike, a little longer than Charlemagne's buttocks, takes you to a chapel and a viewpoint overlooking the surrounding area, all surrounded by wild vegetation.

Far from the hustle and bustle of Port Leucate, there is a magnificent place where peace reigns. The cliffs of Leucate. They link Leucate Village to La Franqui and this short walkk will let you discover their different features: cliffs, vineyards and pastures for sheep.

This easy, short hike is a loop around the Étang du Doul. It starts in the picturesque village of Peyriac-de-Mer, located between Narbonne and Sigean. Wine growing, fishing and tourism are the main activities here. During the walk, you will pass the Étangs de la Saline, Étangs du Doul, Étangs de Bages and Étangs de Sigean. From the heights, you can admire a splendid view of Bages and La Nautique.

At the gates of Carcassonne, the Montagne d'Alaric offers a superb viewpoint over the Pyrenees and the Aude plain. The ruins of the priories of Saint-Pierre d'Alaric and Saint-Michel de Nahuze, as well as those of the Métairie de Vidal, encourage us to reflect on the history of this mountain and the life that must have once animated it. Finally, the return journey through the vineyards of the Corbières region is an invitation to end this day's walk with a well-deserved wine tasting.

Gruissan is a seaside resort in Languedoc that has managed to retain the charm of its roots. This hike takes you on a journey of discovery around the Étang de Gruissan with a walk along the water's edge where you can explore the wetland ecosystem. A trip to the foothills of the Clape massif around the Capoulade estate offers enchanting panoramic views. Finally, stroll through old Gruissan and visit the Barberousse Tower to round off a wonderful day.

Pic de Nore is the highest point of the Montagne Noire (1,211 m). The climb is fairly easy from the typical village of Pradelles Cabardès. It mainly takes you through beech forests with views of moorland offering superb panoramas to the south over the Pyrenees and to the north over the Espinouse. In addition to the Pic de Nore, which offers a magnificent 360° view, this circuit allows you to visit the "Cabane d'Hélène" menhirs and the famous ice houses of Pradelles.

This is a relatively short, intense loop route at altitude, climbing Pech du Bugarach from the village via La Fenêtre.

Short loop in the Montagne de la Clape with a visit to the listed site of L'Œil Doux and the Domaine Municipal de l'Oustalet. This is the equestrian centre of the town of Fleury with a mini farm and an eco-museum.

This trail is part of the Narbonnaise en Méditerranée Regional Park Heritage Trail. Starting from the village of Leucate, discover its unique cliffs and plateau, unspoilt natural sites between the Massif de la Clape and the Corbières. Breathtaking and unique views of the Mediterranean await you.

Starting from Thézan-des-Corbières, this hike through pine trees and heathland leads to the natural amphitheatre of the Cirque de Viviès, a geological curiosity of the Corbières. After a somewhat challenging descent to the wild valley floor, the landscape opens up and vineyards appear everywhere. At the end of the route, the magnificent Château de Caraguilhes wine estate is a tempting invitation to end the day on a delicious note.

At the gates of Saint-Pierre-la-Mer, this hike leads to the Gouffre de l'Œil Doux via the small hamlet of Saint-Pierre. Heath, pine trees and vineyards form the backdrop to this circuit, which retains its wild character despite running along the edge of the seaside resort in its final section. The magnificent view of the sea, the Canigou and the Albères mountains will quickly make you forget how close you are.

Sainte-Lucie Island is a regional nature reserve, and dogs are not allowed. A very pretty walk accessible to all, on a very passable path. There are many extraordinary views to discover.

A pleasant little family hike around a restored salt marsh for everyone to enjoy and discover.

From Notre-Dame du Cros (Caunes-Minervois), a route takes you to former marble quarries, with a picnic stop at the renovated Ventajou refuge, near the ruins of the castle of the old village that has disappeared. On the way back, you pass by the Moulin de Biot, a former witness to a technique of using wind energy for sawing marble. Warning from the author of the route in the "practical information" tab (2/11/2021)

In the Laure-Minervois area, drystone shelters known as capitelles bear witness to the history and work of the rural world. This route, marked in yellow, will take you to around thirty capitelles that have been restored by the villagers.

This is an easy hike, sheltered from the sun for 90% of the route. The hike can be done in either direction. You will be better sheltered from the sun if you follow the directions given here.

This easy loop passes through various places called cortal, serre, plat or coume. In the middle of the heath with its holm oaks, box trees, rosemary and junipers, you can admire splendid views of the Étang de Leucate, as well as primitive stone constructions called drystone shelters, a legacy of medieval pastoralism.

A loop trail to discover the sheepfolds of yesteryear and enjoy beautiful views of the Pyrenees, the Montagne Noire and the Pic de Nore.

This trail is part of the Narbonnaise en Méditerranée Regional Park Heritage Trail. This loop will take you to the foot of Leucate Castle before descending to the banks of the lake. Around a bend or from the lake shore, you will be surprised by the landscape stretching from the Corbières to the Pyrenees.

If you enjoy walking among junipers, gorse and rockroses on a very stony but not particularly difficult path, you will love this short hike, which will take you to the quarry where the red marble columns of the Palace of Versailles were quarried.

From the village, a climb to the foot of the Château de Quéribus on well-marked paths. See: practical information. The descent is quite steep, after waypoint (5). It's quite possible to do this circuit the other way round, and climb from waypoint (6) to (5).

An easy hike that starts in the pretty little village of La Palme and forms a loop. The first third of the route climbs gently to the top of the plateau. The second part is relatively flat with a multitude of paths winding through the heath. The walk ends with a gentle slope, offering superb views of the sea, the Étang de la Palme and the old salt marshes.

This is a great walk in the heart of the Alaric massif, where you can explore deep valleys and forests of holm oaks and Austrian black pines. Legend has it that the Visigoth king Alaric, passing through the region, gave the mountain its name, and some say that his treasure is hidden here. A trip to the summit offers views of the entire Aude plain, the Corbières, the Eastern Pyrenees and the Mediterranean Sea if the weather is clear enough.

A short, easy loop west of the small village of Bages in the Aude department. This walk through wild olive trees, maritime pines and heathland offers splendid views of the lake and surrounding villages. You will discover varied landscapes with shaded areas, wide paths and very narrow trails.

Three quarters of the hike is sheltered from the sun and wind by the beech forest (mainly). Wear good shoes as the trail is often muddy with some stream crossings that are more or less maintained. Foresters have cleared the trail, which creates some large puddles, but these can always be avoided by walking along the edges of the forest.

Here is a variation on the "Lac de Laprade, around the lake" hike. This variation avoids the climb up the paved road to the village of Laprade Basse. It allows you to visit the Laprade peat bogs and enjoy a pleasant walk on pontoons.

You'll be amazed by the well-preserved state of the Visigoths' tombs found along the way. You can explore the cemetery, made up of fifteen or so graves, at the corner of a path in the middle of shrub land.

The Grande Capoulade trail allows you to discover La Clape from the Gruissan side, offering a double view of the Bages and Gruissan lagoons. This hike follows the marked route on site, which is different from the one shown on the IGN map.

On the border between the Tarn and Aude departments, this circuit allows you to discover four authentic villages preserved in their green setting: Mas-Cabardès, which is the starting point, Roquefère and its castle, Miraval and La Tourette. Although mostly in the woods, the first part of the hike offers magnificent views of the Carcassonne plain, the Corbières and the Pyrenees in the background.

Walk along the Greenway and to the Calvary.

A lovely little walk from the Bassin de Saint-Denis to the Prise Alzeau and back along the stream.

The Pic de Nore is the highest point and iconic summit of the Montagne Noire, with its transmitter visible for dozens of kilometres around. The circuit described here allows you to make the ascent without any difficulty, passing by several exceptional viewpoints over the Pyrenees. Two menhirs along the way and a visit to the old ice houses in Pradelles-Cabardès are a pleasant addition to this varied hike at medium altitude.

Walk along the hillsides of the picturesque village of Caves, which takes its name from its wine-growing past. Through the heathland, among holm oaks, rosemary and frigoules, numerous dry stone walls and old sheepfolds bear witness to a pastoral presence that has now disappeared. During the climb, on a clear day, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the coastline from La Palme to Barcarès.

It's not the most interesting route in the massif, but it's the shortest way to quickly reach the summit of the famous site that became legendary in 2012, the Pech de Bugarach, the mysterious highest point of the Corbières massif, a foothill of the Pyrenees and a landmark for griffon vultures, which you're sure to spot.

This trail is part of the Narbonnaise en Méditerranée Regional Park Heritage Trail. Starting from the village of Leucate, set off to explore the vineyards: limestone soil and a landscape shaped by man. A themed trail perfectly marked by stone markers awaits you. The option to head towards the Mediterranean is included!

This is a sunny hike between heathland and rock formations, best avoided on hot days. Hike through the heathland, which combines natural geological, plant and man-made formations: arches, mills, sheepfolds, a fountain, a 12th-century church, a hermitage and a lookout point. The goal is to reach the 360° viewpoint over the Corbières at the top of the Ermitage Saint-Victor.

An exceptional hike, but: - the 6 km ridge walk from Grau de Maury to La Quille. - the route passes close to steep cliffs and includes a section of rock climbing, so it is strongly advised against for people who are prone to vertigo. Only experienced hikers in good physical condition and accustomed to rocky terrain can complete this hike safely. GPX track essential. Be prepared to turn back if necessary.

The proximity of the lake for cooling off, the deciduous forest for a shaded walk and the very passable paths, despite a few fords along the route, ensure a very pleasant time even with children.

A magnificent walk through the Corbières heath with panoramic views of the nearby Pyrenees and the Château de Queribus, sentinel between the Aude and the Eastern Pyrenees.

This moderately difficult route starts at the old Chalabre railway station on the line that used to connect Mirepoix to Lavelanet, now a greenway. It follows the Hers river, which feeds the Lac de Montbel, crossing two dams before returning to the old Chalabre station after passing through some woodland. It offers views of the Pyrenees and the Lac de Montbel.

A refreshing walk in the Montagne Noire from the small village of Lacombe (11310) to the Ramondens national forest (Tarn) with a picnic stop near the retaining dyke of the St-Denis basin. Return via the right bank of the Alzeau and passage at the Prise d'Alzeau, source of the Canal du Midi, before climbing back up to Lacombe. Walk checked on 18/06/23. A few details have been added by the author

Despite its modest altitude, Mont Major (541 m), the highest point of the Serre de Blanes, offers a magnificent 360° panorama that takes in the Montagne d'Alaric, the Carcassonne plain and, on a clear day, the peaks of the Ariège Pyrenees and Canigou. The climb, starting from the village of Saint-Pierre-des-Champs, takes place in a landscape typical of the Corbières region, with small isolated vineyards, pine trees and heath where holm oaks reign supreme. A breath of fresh air and peace and quiet guaranteed.

A lovely, varied hike with alternating limestone and schist formations and many beautiful views (as far as the Pyrenees).

Learn to draw while walking and observing the landscapes of the Piège hills, in unusual places such as the Serre des Enchantées or among the sheep on a wild hilltop. This is an original hike between the unspoilt villages of Cazalrenoux and Génerville. Yellow markings + 7 wooden easels