Citou walks

A beautiful circular route starting from the village of Citou. Almost the entire hike takes place in the woods, so it is feasible in hot weather. A passage along the ridge at the highest points of the route offers beautiful views of the surrounding area, particularly the village of Lespinassière.

Starting from Citou, this circular route takes you on a route that winds along the western slopes of the massif, including the ascent to the summit of La Bourasse. Sections along the ridge offer interesting views over the Montagne Noire as far as the Minervois plain.

Starting from the village of Citou, this hike first leads to the Roc de Moussu which, despite its modest height (539 m), offers a viewpoint that is highly renowned in the region. The circular hike continues through the vast Soulanes de Nore State Forest, planted with deciduous and coniferous trees. The alternation of wide forest tracks and occasionally secluded paths makes the route varied and attractive, with two sections that are rarely or never used, requiring a good sense of direction and adding a touch of excitement. A route suitable for all seasons, even in summer, as it is mostly shaded. The autumn colours here are splendid.

This hike offers a variety of landscapes and trails in the Félines-Minervois marble quarry area. The passage along trails that we have recently opened up allows you to discover places that are little known or unknown.

This hike, partly off the marked trails, allows you to see the hamlet of Biot, its quarry and its mill. As you pass the marble quarries (you will cross four during the hike), you will understand the titanic work carried out by our ancestors during the last century. The hike ends with a long, safe cliff-top path offering spectacular views of the Minervois plain and, beyond, the Corbières massif. In good weather, you can see the Pyrenees in the distance.

From Notre-Dame du Cros (Caunes-Minervois), a route takes you to former marble quarries, with a picnic stop at the renovated Ventajou refuge, near the ruins of the castle of the old village that has disappeared. On the way back, you pass by the Moulin de Biot, a former witness to a technique of using wind energy for sawing marble. Warning from the author of the route in the "practical information" tab (2/11/2021)

A magnificent hike in the hills above Féline-Minervois. Our footsteps echo on the marble that lies just below the surface of the heath. Sumptuous views of the Minervois. And medieval ruins to admire.

If you enjoy wide open spaces and magnificent cairns, you will be well served.

If you enjoy walking among junipers, gorse and rockroses on a very stony but not particularly difficult path, you will love this short hike, which will take you to the quarry where the red marble columns of the Palace of Versailles were quarried.

The first half of this walk takes place in the Argent Double valley, the second half in the Cros valley, following parallel paths on a roughly south-north axis, allowing you to discover different tree species and the geological diversity of this very dry limestone massif.

The Clamoux, a small river and tributary of the Orbiel, rises on the slopes of Pic de Nore, the iconic peak of the Montagne Noire, where a Tour de France relay station stands. Following forest tracks, with climbs of varying difficulty, you arrive near the source of the Clamoux, a small stream at the start, which you follow on the right bank, off the marked trail, descending into the Soulanes de Nore National Forest to Laviale, which, along with six other hamlets, makes up the village of Castans.

A loop trail to discover the sheepfolds of yesteryear and enjoy beautiful views of the Pyrenees, the Montagne Noire and the Pic de Nore.

A lovely, varied hike with alternating limestone and schist formations and many beautiful views (as far as the Pyrenees).

This varied walk first takes you to the Roc du Tonnerre, offering a superb 360° panorama: the Pic de Nore and the Haut Cabardès wind farm to the north, and the Minervois, the Corbières and the Pyrenees to the south. The second part takes you through six of the seven charming hamlets that make up the village of Castans, whose town hall and church are located in one of them, Laviale. Vast open spaces and stretches through magnificent woodland of conifers and beech trees alternate pleasantly, making you forget the final section on the road – a result of the floods in the winter of 2023, which have rendered the footbridge over the Ruisseau de Serremijeanne temporarily impassable.

In good weather, the view of the Pyrenees is incredible. On that day, following heavy snowfall – exceptional for the season – the snow-capped peaks were visible from the Canigou Massif all the way to the Maladetta Massif, taking in the highest peaks of Cerdagne, the 3,000-metre peaks of Ariège, and the peaks over 3,000 metres in the Luchon region. Closer by and all around, the entire Montagne Noire, with the Pic de Nore transmission mast standing at its highest point.

A magnificent circular hike around Cabrespine offering beautiful 360° views, walks through fragrant heath scrubland in bloom (especially in spring), surprising caves (best visited with a head torch) and historical remains (a Roman road, a castle, etc.).

Starting from Félines-Minervois, this hike leads primarily to the ruins of Ventajou, which offer a magnificent view of the Corbières and the Pyrenees. But there are many other places of interest along the route: the pretty hamlet of Auberadou, the Planette dolmen, the stone apiaries and the old marble quarries of Planette, Castillou and Escaliers, a cistern carved into the rock, not to mention the Cubitus Cave, which is worth a short detour. Finally, a walk through a magnificent pine forest filled with wonderful scents will bring this journey to a harmonious conclusion.

Between rocks, caves and passes, this hike starting from the Gouffre Géant de Cabrespine offers beautiful views of the Minervois plain, the Corbières massif and, weather permitting, the Pyrenees mountain range.

This hike in the Haut Languedoc Regional Nature Park allows you to discover small peaks and pastures around the village of Ferrals-les-Montagnes. After passing Mont Cayroux, which offers a magnificent 360° panorama despite its modest size (788 m), the route continues through woods, beautiful meadows and gentle hills offering new views. The Col de Serières memorial provides a historical complement, commemorating a tragic event that occurred in June 1944, while several decorated fire tanks along the way add an unusual artistic touch to the whole.

Here, sheltered by deciduous and coniferous forests, you can take your time to enjoy the hike in the cool shade.Here you’ll find the Cesse, the Minervois’ iconic river, which has its source here (to be explored off the trail).

This hike starts from Ferrals-les-Montagnes and follows twoPR® trails among those that criss-cross the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park, where the south of France becomes mountainous and the rivers flow either towards the Mediterranean or the ocean, thus determining the "watershed line". The source of the Cesse, at the end of this circular route, is a testament to this unspoilt area.

Circuit around the Sales Plateau, on the border of the Aude, Tarn and Hérault departments. With its varied landscapes, it will appeal to lovers of wild places with its many Occitan crosses and superb panoramic views of the Montagne Noire and the Minervois. View of the Pyrenees in good weather.

This small river, which flows into the Aude after 50 km, is the focus of this circular route starting from Cantignergues, a hamlet in La Livinière, in the commune of Hérault, to its source near the village of Ferrals-les-Montagne, a village in the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park. A picnic area (with tables and barbecue) has been set up near the stone "gatehouse" where the waters of the Cesse emerge, disappearing during periods of drought at the foot of the Cathar citadel of Minerve.

Pic de Nore is the highest point of the Montagne Noire (1,211 m). The climb is fairly easy from the typical village of Pradelles Cabardès. It mainly takes you through beech forests with views of moorland offering superb panoramas to the south over the Pyrenees and to the north over the Espinouse. In addition to the Pic de Nore, which offers a magnificent 360° view, this circuit allows you to visit the "Cabane d'Hélène" menhirs and the famous ice houses of Pradelles.

On the western slopes of the Pic de Nore lies a block of gneiss, the Roc de Nouret, isolated on this windswept moorland, where broom and thorn bushes share the space. Higher up, the Bois de Combe Escure, which overlooks the ravine of the same name – the border between the Aude and Tarn departments – marks the watershed between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. A leisurely return to the village via the Bayours forest track.

This hike includes a beautiful 600 m climb that is a little steep at the beginning. After about 1½ hours, you will arrive at the Aviators' Memorial with a beautiful, sweeping view of the valley. An hour later, you will reach Roc de Peyremaux with a magnificent view of Minervois, the sea, Canigou, Carlit and the mountains around Andorra.

A short hike on the slopes of the Montagne Noire, very pleasant on snowshoes… and in any season.

A fantastic hike starting from Lake Pradelles-Cabardès leading to Pic de Nore, the highest peak of the Montagne Noire, with its breathtaking 360° view stretching from Hérault to Tarn via Aude, Pyrénées Orientales, Ariège and Haute Garonne.

Facing the Pic de Nore, which saw the Tour de France pass through in 2018, the wind turbines installed on Mont Sarrat and spread across the municipalities of Pradelles-Cabardès and Cabrespine immediately catch the eye. TheGR®36, coming from Pic de Nore, winds its way at the foot of the masts before plunging towards Carcassonne via the Pas de Montsarrat, an ancient "Roman" communication route. The short length of the route offers the opportunity to extend the hike along the lake (see practical information).

To complete a loop in the Montagne Noire on unmarked, poorly marked and rarely used paths, we have opened up a few sections of trail that allowed us to enjoy an unusual experience in a little-known area. If you like adventure, don't forget to take the GPX track with you!

Loop, on little-known trails or ones we create, reserved for experienced walkers who are willing to follow the GPX track and are not afraid to take poorly marked trails, most of which are unmarked.

This hike is best done in spring in good weather to enjoy the magnificent views of the Pyrenees, the Carcassonne plain and the Mazametain. You will also have the opportunity to see an ice house and small menhirs. The vegetation is varied: sometimes Mediterranean, sometimes more mountainous. This hike is partially marked with a yellow line, a green line and a yellow dot.

A circular route through the Nore National Forest, passing through the Nore gate and the Pic de Nore, also known as the little Ventoux for its climate and its red and white telecommunications tower. The climb through the conifer and beech forests is gentle, but the descent to Pradelles-Cabardès is steep! In winter, it is possible to do all or part of the route on snowshoes, depending on snow conditions. Be careful, there is a ford to cross!

This hike in the Cabardès initially follows the ‘path of remembrance’ leading to the Grotte du Maquis de Trassanel, infamous for the number of Resistance fighters killed there by the occupying forces on 8 August 1944. On a lighter note, the route continues past the two remarkable viewpoints of Roc d’Agnel and Roc de l’Aigle before returning along the ridges, crossing a Natura 2000 protected area. A harmonious blend of history and unspoilt nature on the borders of the Montagne Noire and the Minervois. Several informative panels, rich in insights into the area’s geology and biosphere, are well worth a closer look.

On a clear day, the scenery is magnificent. Although the climb may be tough for some, the reward is at the summit.

Many points of interest along the route: arboretum, lime kilns, dolmen, legend, remarkable tree...

You'll be amazed by the well-preserved state of the Visigoths' tombs found along the way. You can explore the cemetery, made up of fifteen or so graves, at the corner of a path in the middle of shrub land.

An easy hike offering stunning views over the villages of Sallèles-Cabardès, Villegly, Villalier, Malves-Minervois, Boulhonnac, etc.

The tour of the photovoltaic park offers an almost 360° panorama. From Salsigne to Villeneuve via Villanière and its mine shaft, Limousis, Sallèles-Cabardès and Marmonières.

In Villegly, a beautifully restored windmill offers a stunning view, and a ford sometimes allows you to step back in time to when there weren't as many bridges as there are today. All this is set against a backdrop of vineyards and heaths.