Circular via Coulzonne and Roquefixade

Here is an alternative hike in the Château de Roquefixade massif, which is easy and offers beautiful views of the valley, the village and the Pyrenees, weather permitting. You will also see many goats, some more wild than others, but none of them shy.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.89 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 326 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 328 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 980 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 702 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking is available on the side of the D9a road (on the left coming from Lavelanet), at the junction for Coulzonne. Capacity for approximately eight cars.

(S/E) Take the Coulzonne road heading north, cross the hamlet of Coulzonne, and arrive at a fork.

(1) Take the path on the right (slightly downhill at the start), and at the next fork, turn right and head towards Le Grézat.

(2) Take the path on the left, at a right angle, heading west, and you will arrive at the Grotte de l'Église Catholique.

(3) Do not descend alone and without a rope. You may not be able to climb back up... Take the path that climbs southwards.

(4) At the crossroads, turn right and follow the ridge at the top of the cliff until you reach an intersection.

(5) Take the path on the left to stay on the edge of the cliff and enjoy the view. Pass by Roc Marrot, then Roc de la Lauzade and its panoramic view. You will arrive at a fork.

(6) Here, you can head towards the ruined castle on the left (not part of this hike). Otherwise, continue to the right, heading north-west, and join the GRP®.

(7) Turn left, heading west. Take the hairpin bend to the left, heading south-east, and continue straight down to the village of Roquefixade, passing under the castle.

(8) At the entrance to the village, take the path on the left, then turn right to reach the village's main square.

(9) Take Rue du Saint Barthélémy eastwards and continue along a path until you reach a fork.

(10) Ignore the path that climbs to the left and continue straight ahead. Pass in front of the Resistance memorial and return to the fork in the road.

(1) Head back down to the car park opposite, following the path you took on the way up in the opposite direction (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 704 m - Parking on the side of the D9a road.
  2. 1 : km 1.15 - alt. 793 m - Crossroads of the circular
  3. 2 : km 1.9 - alt. 810 m - Le Grézat
  4. 3 : km 2.66 - alt. 868 m - Grotte de l'Église Catholique en Pays Cathare
  5. 4 : km 2.98 - alt. 905 m - Crossroads
  6. 5 : km 3.17 - alt. 919 m - Fourche
  7. 6 : km 4.34 - alt. 944 m - Fourche
  8. 7 : km 4.87 - alt. 881 m - GRP junction
  9. 8 : km 5.77 - alt. 775 m - Entrance to Roquefixade - Château de Roquefixade
  10. 9 : km 5.94 - alt. 765 m - Rue du Saint-Barthélémy
  11. 10 : km 6.43 - alt. 799 m - Fourche
  12. S/E : km 8.89 - alt. 702 m - Parking on the side of the D9a road.

Notes

(3) Please note that the entrance to this cave is sloped and slippery. Do not venture in without taking precautions.

(6) The castle is closed for safety reasons. You can approach it but not enter it.

Worth a visit

(5) (6) This section offers a beautiful bird's-eye view of the village of Roquefixade and the castle. Numerous wild goats inhabit these cliffs and allow visitors to approach and photograph them.

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