In the Alaric Mountains

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Hike in the Montagne d'Alaric with numerous viewpoints over the Montagne Noire and the Pyrenees on a clear day.
Pass by the bénitiers (rocks), the ruins of Miramont Castle and the Priory of Saint-Jean.

Details

n°20849811
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.03 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 421 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 414 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 507 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 231 m
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Photos

the Pyrenees
The Aude plain
The holy water fonts
Canigou Massif

Description of the walk

From Monze, coming from Carcassonne, turn left onto the Georges Guillé road, indicated by a white sign. It is narrow but easy to drive on. Park at a place called Le Champs de Sable, a large open space opposite a left-hand bend.

Blue markings are sometimes difficult to see

(S/E) Continue along the road towards Monze for about 100 metres. Turn right onto a small, well-marked path in the undergrowth that follows a rocky ridge

(1). Do not follow the path that descends, but look opposite for a blue mark on a rock that indicates the continuation of the path, which is not very well marked at the start. The path, which is sometimes very narrow, continues along the rocky ridge before veering off to the left and then crossing a rocky outcrop before joining theGR®36.

GR®36red and white markings

(2) Turn right onto theGR® and descend a rocky path.

(3) A fault line allows you to descend to the foot of the rocky ridge. The passage is a little tricky and you will need to use your hands for a few metres.

(4) Go to the "Les Bénitiers" rocks, leaving theGR®36, then return to it.

(5) Continue to follow theGR®36, which turns left and then right. The path descends and then climbs back up to a road

(6) Cross the road and rejoin theGR®36opposite.

(7) Make a detour to the ruins of Miramont Castle, which offers a beautiful view of the Aude plain and the Montagne Noire. Note that there are two picnic tables in the woods. Then rejoin theGR®36. You will come to a crossroads of forest tracks.

(8) Turn left and follow theGR®36markings. The forest track becomes a footpath.

No markings

(9) The path splits in two; take the one on the right. At the ruins of the Prieuré Saint-Jean, you will find a large stone table, perfect for a picnic in the shade. You can reach it by going down a few steps on the left. Continue on, still off the marked trail, along a path at the bottom of the valley until you reach theGR®36variant.

Red and white markings.GR®36variant

(10) Turn right at the signpost indicatingGR®36variant and follow the red and white markings again.

(11) Turn right and climb up to reach a ridge.

(12) Turn left on the ridge with a magnificent view on one side of the Aude plain and the Montagne Noire and on the other side of the Pyrenees mountain range. The path then descends in hairpin bends.

(13) Leave theGR®36for the track that continues downhill and returns to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 361 m - Place known as: Champ de Sable
  2. 1 : km 0.95 - alt. 371 m - Blue mark opposite
  3. 2 : km 1.51 - alt. 351 m - Junction with the GR 36
  4. 3 : km 1.66 - alt. 313 m - Fault in the rocky ridge
  5. 4 : km 1.81 - alt. 285 m - Les Bénitiers
  6. 5 : km 2.09 - alt. 277 m - GR36
  7. 6 : km 3.04 - alt. 297 m - D8008
  8. 7 : km 3.37 - alt. 331 m - Ruins. Miramont Castle
  9. 8 : km 3.78 - alt. 350 m - Crossroads of forest tracks
  10. 9 : km 6.21 - alt. 321 m - Fork in the path. Take the path on the right
  11. 10 : km 7.5 - alt. 328 m - GR36 variant
  12. 11 : km 10.18 - alt. 448 m - GR36 variant on the right
  13. 12 : km 10.56 - alt. 483 m - GR36, follow the ridge
  14. 13 : km 11.99 - alt. 439 m - Descent to the left
  15. S/E : km 13.03 - alt. 361 m - Place known as: Champ de Sable

Notes

The path is often very rocky, so wear sturdy shoes and bring walking sticks.

Avoid in hot weather, as only the first part of the path is shaded.

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 15 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
jprovira31
jprovira31

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on 3 May 2025 in overcast weather, so the views of the Pyrenees and Montagne Noire were obscured. However, nature was in bloom and it was magnificent. This may be the best time of year to do this hike. The route was easy to follow.
The GR trail was slightly modified before point 9, but you still end up at point 9, so this does not cause any difficulty.

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Fa54
Fa54

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike in two parts, with oyster shells, the ruins of Miramont Castle and a priory in the first part, featuring steep descents (and ascents) and tall vegetation. Lunch on the large table at the priory was enjoyable, followed by the second part through heath with splendid landscapes, views stretching to the snow-capped Pyrenees, very gentle slopes, full of thyme, rockroses and asphodels in bloom at this time of year.

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Fa54
Fa54
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike in two parts, with oyster shells, the ruins of Miramont Castle and a priory in the first part, featuring steep descents (and ascents) and tall vegetation. Lunch on the large table at the priory was enjoyable, followed by the second part through heath with splendid landscapes, views stretching to the snow-capped Pyrenees, very gentle slopes, full of thyme, rockroses and asphodels in bloom at this time of year.

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Catherine Ligonie
Catherine Ligonie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike undertaken by people aged between 70 and 90. The few tricky sections are tackled more slowly. The mussel beds, castle ruins and priory make this hike attractive, as do the landscapes and information boards that help visitors to understand the area.

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Xtian90
Xtian90
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Completed yesterday, 3 February 2025. Nothing to add to previous reviews except that a simple pair of trainers will not really be suitable. Without going as far as approach shoes or high-altitude mountaineering boots, a good pair of hiking boots with effective soles will be welcome, and for those with strong ankles, a pair of trail shoes will be perfect. There are wet descents and some scree slopes. Unfortunately, we were unable to access Miramont Castle, as the path between points 6, 7 and 8 is currently closed to all traffic, including pedestrians, with penalties for violations according to the municipal by-law.
Beautiful weather, strong wind, air temperature 2°C, very few places sheltered from the wind, feels freezing. Windbreaker over your jacket, hat and hood essential.
Thank you for this suggestion.

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lesvegas
lesvegas

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, but best avoided in wet weather as the first few kilometres are tricky.
(slippery ground on the descent).
measured elevation gain: 440 m
It's a shame that the motorway provides background noise for much of the route.
thank you

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alain11800
alain11800

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely route with very varied landscapes.

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Laurence82
Laurence82

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk with stunning views.
We had sunny weather, but it wasn't too hot, which was very pleasant as there wasn't much shade.
We thoroughly enjoyed exploring it.

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La Miche
La Miche

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello and thank you very much for this discovery of the Mtgne d'Alaric. Superb landscapes, whether on the Aude valley side and opposite the Black Mountain, or on the south side towards the Pyrenees.
two places are not easy to find or navigate:
Point 1: The blue mark or point is not easy to find. The one we found points in the wrong direction. The correct path is slightly downhill to the right along the trail for 10 to 20 metres, where you will see an orange mark on the left. Take this path and, after 70 to 80 metres, you will find a circular blue mark.
Point 9: The GR36 has been diverted onto a new trail that passes further to the right, 200 metres before reaching point 9. The new route of this GR rejoins the old GR36, 10 to 20 metres before point 9.
Please note that this hike is best done in autumn or spring. Avoid doing it in high temperatures > 30°C, or do it in the opposite direction. We ate around 12:30 p.m. at the famous large stone table at the ruins of the Priory of Saint-Jean. A fantastic and original setting, with an old broom there to dust the place, ...
Having retraced the route with Visorando, the total elevation gain and loss is approximately 250 metres higher than the initial route. The duration and distance are slightly longer, but this is because everyone walks at their own pace and stops to enjoy the views...
Thank you for everything

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hcrando
hcrando

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb route, sometimes a little challenging with steep, rocky descents, but easy to follow overall. We still had to use the app several times, especially to find the trail at point 1. There were no blue markings and no obvious path ahead. You can only see the path when you're on it. Further on, the GR markings are a little off the trail and cause some hesitation, but overall it was fine. The beginning is the most difficult because it feels like you're not making any progress. There are no water sources along the way, but there are beautiful views, carpets of flowers and a fairly peaceful return journey. It's really the right season for walking and admiring nature. Thank you for this route.

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elpatrok
elpatrok

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A splendid, well-maintained route offering magnificent views of the Pyrenees, the Aude valley, the Montagne Noire and its Pic de Nore. The route is also very varied, with wide ridge trails (beware of the wind) and pretty winding paths, and the vegetation is equally diverse. Its only drawback: it's too short for such a beautiful route! I combined it with the 'Grande Faille d'Alaric' route to the ruins at point 9 for a total of 23 km, which is certainly more challenging but fills the day and allows you to enjoy the views for longer. Thank you for this very welcome suggestion

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domaniale
domaniale

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike, best done in good weather, in early spring to enjoy the scents of the heath, well-marked route!!!

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Espérance
Espérance

Thank you for your comment!
The hike is indeed more suitable for experienced walkers.
As for the distance, I think it can vary slightly depending on the settings chosen in Visorando.

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cgiaco
cgiaco

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route. When you're on the Alaric ridges, you have a breathtaking view of the Val de Dagne and the Aude valley. The route is challenging but doable if you're a bit of a hiker. However, it's difficult for beginners because the first 4 km are tough. After that, it's a walk in the park. Clear description. No risk of getting lost. Best done in spring or autumn as there isn't much shade. One small downside: it's not 13 km but 14 km.

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Tenzig11250
Tenzig11250

Hello, hike planned for early autumn, when it's cool!

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