Cabrespine circular via Trassanel and the Pas de Monsarrat

Between rocks, caves and passes, this hike starting from the Gouffre Géant de Cabrespine offers beautiful views of the Minervois plain, the Corbières massif and, weather permitting, the Pyrenees mountain range.

Details

84330714
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 17.14 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 716 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 715 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 852 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 389 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Leave the Minervoise (D620) south of Villeneuve-Minervois and drive through the village towards Cabrespine (D112). Shortly before arriving, turn left (elevation 287) towards the Gouffre Géant de Cabrespine car park. Park in this car park along the road to leave the spaces near the entrance for visitors.

(S/E) Pass the entrance to the cave and continue north.

Yellow markings

(1) At the next trail intersection, ignore the trail on the right that descends towards the village and turn left onto a concrete surface. You are now on a botanical trail that climbs steadily towards a small pass.

(2) Turn left and follow the marked trail heading south-southeast, which passes near some ruins. Further on, ignore the marked trail that branches off to the right and continue in the same direction to see Roc d'Agnel, which we will climb:a pretty promontory offering a beautiful view of the plain.

No markings

(3) Huge cairn at the foot of the Roc: as you pass, note the vague path that descends to the left. We will take it when descending from the summit. Take the path opposite to climb Roc d'Agnel and admire the landscape:from the summit, you can see a cliff and the entrance to a cave below to the east. Descend . At the cairn, take the path on the right, which descends towards the cliff seen from the summit. You will reach two cave entrances.

(4) The one on the right is more interesting. A short climb will take you to it. You will notice two skylights, one of which is a window overlooking the void and the plain to the south. Leave this spot and retrace your steps along the path to the large cairn.

(3) Now turn right to return to the small pass.

(2) Descend the path on the left, pass through a gate (close it behind you), walk past a house undergoing restoration and head south.

(5) At the next trail intersection, take the trail on the left that descends slightly (cave sign) and go through another gate. You will arrive at a small building containing tools. Turn left at a 90° angle: there is a yellow marker on a tree that is not very visible. The path descends steadily to another gate: shelter on the left above the path. Out of respect for the owner of the land, who does not prevent people from crossing his property, it is essential to close all the gates he has installed.

Yellow marker

(6) Arrive at the intersection of the path coming from Roc d'Agnel, which was abandoned between points (3) and (2) previously. There, climb slightly to the right to reach the Grotte du Maquis, decorated with a stele in homage to the resistance fighters killed by the Germans during the Second World War on 8 August 1944. Using the light from our mobile phone torches, we will cross this cave, the exit of which can be seen on the other side. Proceed with caution due to the uneven ground. This crossing adds a little more interest to the route. Upon exiting the cave, the trail descends to rejoin the marked trail we left earlier. You can turn left to see the work being done by local speleologists who are clearing a small chasm. Turn back to continue along the marked trail, which descends to cross the Ravin de Laure Arnaude and climbs up the opposite slope to a pass where you will find a memorial stone and a flagpole in tribute to the 44 resistance fighters and their leader, who were killed on 8 August 1944.

(7) Take the grassy track heading south-southwest, ignoring the marked trail that starts behind the memorial stone. Reach the first houses of the village of Trassanel. Take Rue Jean Jaurès, which climbs quite steeply to the right towards the caving centre. Walk alongside this building and continue on the tarmac road to the next bend: you will have followed the GR® 36 for a few hundred metres.

No markings

(8) At this bend in the road, take the well-marked path on the left, which follows the road below and runs parallel to it towards the north. At the first bend, ignore the path that branches off opposite and continue on this good path which climbs the hillside along a ledge, offering beautiful views of the Minervois plain. You will come to a grassy track and continue in the same direction. At the intersection with the path, leave the track and turn right onto a stony track.

(9) Turn right onto this track, which now climbs towards some antennas that you will soon see. Pass to the left of the antennas and you will reach a tarmac road. Turn right for about a hundred metres and take the track that climbs to the left until you reach the next track.

(10) Turn right and, at the next intersection, turn left onto the track that descends slightly. At the first big left-hand bend, leave this descending track to climb a new gravel track on the right, then turn left towards the north to pass between a pine forest and a recently installed fence. When you reach the top of this fence, turn right at a 90° angle and continue along it. Continue along the vague path that follows the ridge more or less, with the wind turbines in your sights. The path descends to Pas de Montsarrat (elevation 783).

White and red markings

(11) Turn right in the opposite direction, following the route of an old Roman road, where you will notice the spectacular ruts left by the wheels of carts and chariots. You are now on the GR® 36, which heads generally south.

Yellow markings

(12) Leave the trail at a cairn and head towards the next destination, Roc de l'Aigle, following a fairly level path. Continue south-east, ignoring the track on the right at a right angle and continuing south until you reach a barrier made of wooden posts preventing motorbikes and all vehicles from entering a protected area. In this area, it is recommended that you follow the marked trail to protect the rare flora and fauna found there. Information signs explain all this. Arrive at a rounded summit marked by a square granite stone bearing the inscription "Borne 700". Turn left and continue on the well-marked trail towards the summit to the east.

(13) Pass this intersection, where you will return later, and continue on the path that leads to the summit of Roc de l'Aigle (elevation 685). The drop on the left is dizzying, and you can see the village of Cabrespine below.

(14) Retrace your steps to the intersection you passed earlier.

(13) Turn left. The descent is through a rocky area where you will need to be extra careful if it is wet. Pass an obstacle made of wooden posts that prevents motorbikes and all vehicles from leaving the protected area. Ignore the path that branches off to the right towards Trassanel and take the marked path on the left that leads back to a fork you passed on the way there.

(5) Always close the gates you find along the route. Continue opposite, in the opposite direction to the outward journey, until you reach another fork that you also passed on the way out.

(2) Now descend towards the car park at the Gouffre Géant de Cabrespine, where you will find your car (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 431 m - Gouffre Géant de Cabrespine car park
  2. 1 : km 0.16 - alt. 426 m - Trail intersection
  3. 2 : km 0.81 - alt. 517 m - Small pass
  4. 3 : km 1.39 - alt. 563 m - Base of the Roc d'Agnel
  5. 4 : km 1.58 - alt. 515 m - Cliff with two caves
  6. 5 : km 2.68 - alt. 495 m - Trail intersection
  7. 6 : km 3.32 - alt. 443 m - Trail intersection (cave on the right)
  8. 7 : km 4.14 - alt. 483 m - Pass, memorial stele
  9. 8 : km 5.11 - alt. 487 m - Road and trail intersection
  10. 9 : km 7.21 - alt. 536 m - Intersection with a gravel track
  11. 10 : km 9.68 - alt. 728 m - Intersection of tracks
  12. 11 : km 11.93 - alt. 781 m - Pas de Montsarrat
  13. 12 : km 13.46 - alt. 738 m - Trail intersection
  14. 13 : km 14.41 - alt. 672 m - Trail intersection
  15. 14 : km 14.65 - alt. 674 m - Roc de l'Aigle
  16. S/E : km 17.14 - alt. 424 m - Gouffre Géant de Cabrespine car park

Notes

Fountain in the village of Trassanel and refreshment bar at the Gouffre Géant de Cabrespine.

Worth a visit

The magnificent Gouffre Géant de Cabrespine and the Grotte de Limousis.

Truffle Museum, Palaeontology Museum and the Mill in Villeneuve-Minervois.

 Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.