Hille and Mont Carrière circular in Fanjeaux

In the Aude Cathar Country, the unspoilt village of Fanjeaux, perched on a hill (pech in Occitan), offers spectacular views of the countryside. The undulating route winds its way over the hills, dotted with numerous viewpoints, including Mont Carrière with its four orientation tables.

Red markings and "Circular de la Hille" sign.

Details

19821420
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.09 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 340 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 334 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 350 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 193 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Fanjeaux (11270)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.185368° / E 2.034076°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2245E, 2246E
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the Intercommunal Tourist Office, Place du Treil.

(S/E) Set off along Avenue de la Gare. At the wash house, continue straight ahead and again straight ahead at the crossroads with Chemin des Fontanelles.

(1) Take the path on the left and follow the ridge line, which offers superb views of the hills. Don't forget to turn around from time to time to enjoy the view towards Fanjeaux.

(2) After 1.5 km, just before reaching the end of the promontory called La Piboulette, turn left to descend a steep path: be careful. At the bottom, enter the woods and follow the stream straight ahead.

(3) Turn left onto the footbridge over the stream and follow the path upstream, then climb the hill on the right.

(4) At the end of the path, take the small road to the right and continue straight ahead until you reach a path offering a beautiful view of Fanjeaux. 350 m further on, on the hilltop, you will have a 360° view. Then descend along this path lined with hedges before walking along a field.

(5) Continue straight down the narrow path, then follow the grassy plot to the left. At the pumping station, take the road to the right.

(6) At the junction with the access road to La Hille, go up the path to the left. At the entrance to the woods, keep left to climb to the top of the hill. Then descend into the valley, cross a field and climb straight up the other side via a steep path that crosses the yellow-marked trail (Preuilhe circular starting from La Cassaigne).

(7) At the top, take the main path to the right to Mont Carrière, where you can take a break and enjoy the panoramic views. At the last orientation table, descend straight down a steep path.

(8) At the bottom, take the main path to the left. At the next crossroads, follow theGR®® (red and white) to the right towards Fanjeaux. 500 m further on, cross the road and continue straight ahead.

(9) After crossing the river at the ford (after a storm, the ford may be flooded), climb straight up and enjoy the views towards Villasavary, Montréal and Fanjeaux.

(10) After 1 km, keep to the right to continue climbing along the GR®®. At the end of the dirt track, keep to the right again on the stabilised path.

(11) At the crossroads, take the road to the left and after about 70 m, turn left to climb towards the first houses in the village. Follow this street straight ahead.

(12) Turn right onto Rue de la Porte en Rivière and continue straight ahead to the village hall and war memorial to return to the starting point at the Tourist Office (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 329 m - Place du Treil - Office de tourisme intercommunal Au Cœur des Collines Cathares
  2. 1 : km 0.7 - alt. 312 m - Chemin de la Cassaigne crossroads
  3. 2 : km 2.14 - alt. 278 m - Small path to the left
  4. 3 : km 2.69 - alt. 219 m - Footbridge
  5. 4 : km 3.34 - alt. 270 m - Small road to the right
  6. 5 : km 4.92 - alt. 214 m - Bottom of the field, straight ahead
  7. 6 : km 5.82 - alt. 201 m - Path ascending to the left
  8. 7 : km 7.03 - alt. 292 m - Main path to the right
  9. 8 : km 8.24 - alt. 244 m - Bottom left
  10. 9 : km 9.28 - alt. 193 m - Fording the Preuilhe stream
  11. 10 : km 10.23 - alt. 254 m - Path ascending to the right
  12. 11 : km 11 - alt. 295 m - Crossroads
  13. 12 : km 11.48 - alt. 334 m - Rue de la Porte en Rivière
  14. S/E : km 12.09 - alt. 329 m - Place du Treil - Office de tourisme intercommunal Au Cœur des Collines Cathares

Notes

At the start: car park, toilets, picnic table, café, 100 m away: bakery, grocery store, restaurant, pharmacy.

Route to avoid after heavy rain: several steep sections become very slippery.

Worth a visit

In the unspoilt village of Fanjeaux: sculpture trail illustrating the history of the Cathars, Maison Saint-Dominique, wooden market halls, 18th-century church, panorama of Seignadou towards Lauragais and the Razès wine-growing countryside.

At the Tourist Office: free map-guide, audio guide rental, activity book for children, guided tours available for groups.

Panorama of Mont Carrière: four orientation tables pointing to the four cardinal points and illustrating the changing landscapes throughout the four seasons.

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.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 13 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
OT Cœur des Collines Cathares
OT Cœur des Collines Cathares

Hello,

Thank you for your feedback. We hope to see you again on one of our circular trails in our region.

See you soon!

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THOLLET
THOLLET

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This route is attractive, varied and offers multiple viewpoints.
It is best enjoyed outside of the hottest hours of the day as there is little shade.
In summer, Fangeaux offers free temporary exhibitions of contemporary art at the Maison Gramont. It is a beautiful building with a shaded garden that has been converted into a refreshment bar.

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OT Cœur des Collines Cathares
OT Cœur des Collines Cathares

Hello,

Thank you for your feedback. We hope to see you again on one of our circular trails in our region.

See you soon!

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Muc31
Muc31

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike, very well guided, magnificent landscapes with superb colours and views of the Pyrenees. A few slightly difficult passages, slippery even though it hadn't rained, and a few steep climbs. But it's worth it.

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OT Cœur des Collines Cathares
OT Cœur des Collines Cathares

Hello,

Thank you for your feedback. Our Hille and Mont Carrière circular does indeed start in front of the Tourist Office. You will find a sign there showing the starting points for the hiking circulars in Fanjeaux. The circular is also marked with red signs.

We are delighted that you enjoyed this circular.

We hope to see you again soon on one of our circular walking trails in the area.
Kind regards

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SABINE80
SABINE80

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route description was not precise enough.
I couldn't find the path on the left at the start, so I went in the wrong direction and ended up doing the route backwards. I followed the signs along the way instead. The bell tower visible along the route is what helps you avoid getting lost.
Beautiful views from the ridge. Enjoyable hike.

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OT Cœur des Collines Cathares
OT Cœur des Collines Cathares

Hello,

Thank you for your feedback.
Indeed, the La Hille and Mont Carrière circular has a more challenging section in terms of elevation. This allows you to contemplate the landscapes and panoramic views that this circular has to offer.

We look forward to seeing you again on one of our circular trails.
Kind regards

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Marmaamic
Marmaamic

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice walk, but we changed the route a bit to avoid some tricky sections...

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bregegere
bregegere

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, and thank you for making this available free of charge.

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fontes Nadine
fontes Nadine

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, but there is one very difficult spot with a very muddy and slippery descent. It is possible to avoid it by taking a detour through a field that leads to the same place

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Castanet31320
Castanet31320

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A varied and pleasant route, best avoided in hot weather.

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Roroboubou
Roroboubou

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very good, not very busy (only one runner encountered). Slippery in wet weather, as the author rightly points out, and this is certainly true in some places.
Thank you.

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Angelo Troyean
Angelo Troyean

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

three motocross riders overtook us on a short stretch, but it was no big deal

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Spirit 11
Spirit 11

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very good signage (thanks to the tourist office)
Diverse landscapes
A hike without any particular difficulty

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Yvan 09
Yvan 09
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Breathtaking scenery. A route marked with signposts and signs. Thank you to those who maintain the route and those who grant us the right of way.
Hike undertaken under a blazing sun; the route offers a few bucolic passages through the forest, but most of it is in full sun. Steep descents and ascents. Narrow, steep passage for a few metres at point 5.
When you arrive at the church, you can refresh yourself at the fountain. Don't hesitate to wander through the narrow streets.
Option: From the shaded car park, I went down Rue du Lavoir, where there is a beautiful wash house with water flowing through a small statue. The small road joins a path that leads back to Rue de la Gare on the route.
Thank you to the author of this magnificent, very well-described hike.

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