Loop via Peyrepertuse, Rouffiac and the Moulin de Ribaute

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A 16 km loop that passes under the walls of Peyrepertuse Castle, with views of Quéribus Castle and the Quille Massif. Most of the hike is in the woods. Finally, the Verdouble Gorges with their pools and waterfalls offer a refreshing and relaxing break.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.54 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 583 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 583 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 661 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 236 m
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Description of the walk

In Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse, park in car park P1 (reserved for motorhomes with toilets) or in the second car park P2 further up on the left. Route du Château in Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse.

(S/E) From car park P1, turn left at the exit of the car park onto Rue du Château. A little further on, join theGR®®367(Chemin Cathare), marked in white and red. Continue uphill, pass the Ruisseau de la Fontaine and you will reach a crossroads.

(1) Leave theGR®® and follow the signs for the castle on the right. Climb a very steep hill to reach a paved road and rejoin the GR®®.

(2) Turn right ontothe GR®®° and follow the road. Leave it before a left-hand bend to descend to the right, still on the GR®®°, and continue until you reach a left-hand loop at the foot of the Roc Rouge.

(3) Continue downhill and reach the multiple crossroads at the Col de Grès.

(4) Cross the road and take theGR® opposite, turn left and enter the village of Rouffiac-des-Corbières. Cross the village and you will come to a crossroads.

(5) Leave theGR®® here and take the path on the right. Follow a flat section to reach a bend in a meander of the Ruisseau de Verdouble.

(6) Stay on this path and continue slightly uphill on the left bank of the stream in the Combe de Carbonières. You will reach a road bridge.

(7) Take the road on the right and continue slightly uphill. La Bergerie du Grès is on the right before the second road bridge. Finally reach the summit, the Col de la Croix, above. From the altitude of 315 metres, it is possible to bypass five bends in the small road by taking a wide, steep path that climbs straight up.

(8) Turn left onto the wide track marked in yellow with a sign for Moulin de Ribaute. At first, the path does not descend too much and the ground is earth. Continue to the end of this track.

(9) Continue straight ahead on the path that follows. The descent becomes steeper and there are many stones on the path, which is very slippery in places. You will reach Moulin de Ribaute at a crossroads.

(10) Turn right onto the track on the left bank of the Rec de Riben and follow it slightly uphill to join the D14. Cross the road, turn right and immediately turn left onto Rue des Amandes. Cross Rue des 4 Vents and you will arrive at the P1 Route du Château car park in Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 360 m - Parking P1. Route du château - Gite d'Étape Communal de Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse
  2. 1 : km 0.82 - alt. 448 m - GR trail junction
  3. 2 : km 1.28 - alt. 603 m - GR. Near - Château de Peyrepertuse (Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse)
  4. 3 : km 2.64 - alt. 515 m - Sous Roc Rouge
  5. 4 : km 3.99 - alt. 406 m - Col de Grès (404 m)
  6. 5 : km 4.9 - alt. 343 m - Rouffiac-des-Corbières
  7. 6 : km 6.42 - alt. 343 m - Meander of the - Verdouble (rivière)
  8. 7 : km 8.05 - alt. 298 m - Grès sheepfold
  9. 8 : km 9.74 - alt. 397 m - Col de la Croix dessus (397 m)
  10. 9 : km 10.97 - alt. 343 m - End of the trail
  11. 10 : km 12.31 - alt. 242 m - Ribaute mill
  12. S/E : km 14.54 - alt. 360 m - Parking P1. Route du château

Practical information

No water sources. Some steep climbs and slippery ground in places. Part of the hike is in woodland.
(10) Option to turn left to reach the Verdouble with its pools and waterfalls for a picnic break.

Distance: 16 km, elevation gain: 620 m, duration: 5 hours
For your information: if you are setting off alone, inform a friend or relative of your route and how long you expect to be away.
Walking shoes, walking sticks, GPS, map of the hike with the route, first aid kit.
Bring plenty of water and snacks (dried fruit, cereal bars, etc.).
Depending on the season: hat, gloves, warm clothing, cap, sunglasses, sunscreen.

In the nearby area

Between (1) and (2), enjoy beautiful views of the castles of Peyrepertuse and Quéribus and the Quille massif.
Near (2), visit Peyrepertuse Castle.
Nearby:
- Quéribus Castle.
- Villages of Cucugnan and Maury.
- Gorges de Galamus.
For more details on Cathar castles, see here

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

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

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Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
LEFRANC Sylvie
LEFRANC Sylvie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Very easy route with some fairly challenging climbs. Pleasant walk through the woods for the first part.
We really enjoyed the end of the hike, cooling off in the Verdouble gorges with its water sources.

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Dovic
Dovic

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

No change

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Christophe PO
Christophe PO

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant hike that passes beneath Peyrepertuse Castle (which can, however, be reached via a different route than the one normally reserved for the public).

Steep climbs, panoramic views and forest walks are all on the agenda, not to mention the Ribaute mill where, although not expressly indicated on the suggested route, it is worth following the waterfall trail. After an extra effort of about 200 metres, the path opens up onto a protected site that will delight anyone who enjoys gorges and water holes suitable for swimming in the wild.

Please note that below the castle, there may be unfenced herds of livestock, supervised by dogs but without human presence. These large, well-trained dogs personally blocked my passage (for at least 5 long minutes) until the herd moved away.

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windgilles
windgilles

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful hike, which can include a visit to the castle, adding an extra hour and a half. There are several steep sections, especially at points 1 and 2, so bring walking sticks.

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lemarcheur65
lemarcheur65 ★
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Group hike with facilities: a few variations.
Discover this castle from the other side.
Two different types of forest on the north-facing and south-facing sides. Very interesting.
Beautiful weather. The Moulin de Ribaute area is undergoing renovation.
A few people around the mill.
Stopped at the baker's in Cucugnan on the way back.

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Duffaudg
Duffaudg

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Very pleasant route with two beautiful villages in the Corbières region and the Château de Peyrepertuse.
Difficult to find the path at the exit of the village of Roquefort.
You need to turn left 200 metres before the bridge, towards the water treatment plant.

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author. Do not copy them without permission.