Gaja-et-Villedieu circular loop

Park in the small car park by the cemetery in the centre of the village.

(S/E) Turn right as you leave the car park, continue for 50 metres and turn left onto the tarmac road towards Villedieu.

(1) After 650 metres along the road, turn left onto the dirt track between the vineyards towards the ‘Garde-Miel’ wood. Walk along the right-hand side of a fenced-off area with dogs and other animals, and at the end, turn right into the wood.

(2) Take the path to the left, walk for about a hundred metres, then turn right to reach the edge of the woodland. Then turn left onto the path leading up to the ridge.

(3) Enjoy the view over Limoux. Head down the path on the right, leave the woods and walk alongside the vineyard on your right. At the corner of the vineyard, turn right then carry on straight ahead. Pass beneath the hamlet of Villedieu on your left. At the large cypress tree with a well, cross the ditch and follow it to the right until you reach the road.

Cross the road, go straight on along the dirt track, continuing to follow the ditch on your right and the Roderie estate. Turn right and then immediately left onto the railway crossings to cross the ditch, then follow it until you reach the Ruisseau du Blau.

(4) At the junction, turn right and continue for about 500 metres until you reach a crossroads.

(5) Turn right onto the ascending dirt track and continue straight on to reach the village of Gaja-et-Villedieu. On arriving in the village via the Chemin des Poux, turn right and head uphill to the cemetery (S/E).

In hot weather, a cap and water are essential.

Walk through the “Garde-Miel” woodland, home to numerous species characteristic of Mediterranean vegetation: fragot, holm oak, juniper and Spanish broom.

The Blanquette de Limoux vineyards, where you can enjoy wine tastings in the town’s cellars and take part in the famous carnival from January to April.