Montpié loop

The hike starts in Comus. In the village, park in the car park in the courtyard of the old village school. The route is marked with yellow PR® signs and follows the GR®367 (white and red signs) on some sections. A few directional signs for "Boucle de Montpié" (blue signs) are dotted along the trail. Part of the route is shared with the "Tour du Boum" hike, another loop maintained by the Caminaïres de Comus.

(S/E) When you leave the car park, turn left and head up towards the top of the village along the Col du Boum road. You will come to a crossroads at the municipal garage.

(1) Take the path on the right and follow the Cathar trail to the Col du Boum, GR® 367 marked in red and white. Cross the road once and go up to the left the second time to reach the pass.

(2) Leave the Cathar trail at the pass and descend to Pla du Boum on the right via a path marked by a sign.

(3) Leave the "Tour du Boum" loop on your left at the signpost and take the path on the right until you reach a crossroads.

(4) Leave the path that climbs to the left and take the path on the right that winds through the heart of Pla du Boum. Follow this path until you reach a forest track, which you then take.

(5) Turn left at the crossroads and continue along the forest track until you reach a second crossroads.

(6) Continue left up the forest track and look for a signpost on the right.

(7) Leave the track and take a path on the right through the woods, which climbs more steeply. You will reach a meadow. On the left, a viewpoint signposted by a sign offers a view of the village of Belcaire and its lake.

(8) Climb up to the right towards the Pic des Rives, where you will find an orientation table. Descend towards the path below and join the Cols de Camurac. Continue to the left until you reach a fork.

(9) Leave the path and take a trail on the right that climbs towards the Col du Boum de Camurac, following a ridge leading to a place called Montpié. Further on, you will reach a fork.

(10) Take a path on the left to reach a viewpoint marked by a sign. Go back and descend along a path, first through undergrowth, then along a gully leading to the D20, which you should take on the right to return to Comus (S/E).

The slopes of this mid-mountain hike are relatively gentle except for the section leading from the communal refuge (1) to the Col du Boum (2) and just after point (8), but each time over a fairly short distance.

There are no water points along the route.

The signposting and maintenance of this loop are provided by the Caminaïres de Comus, an association affiliated with the FFRandonnée.

The Montpié viewpoint shortly after point (10) offers a view of the villages of Camurac and Montaillou, one of the last Cathar strongholds. The climb to the ruins of the medieval castle overlooking it is well worth the detour. In the village, you can visit the Jean Duvernoy historical centre, an eco-museum dedicated to Catharism (free admission).