From Caudiès-de-Fenouillèdes to Fenouillet

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A peaceful, family-friendly itinerary featuring the Gorges de Saint-Jaume and the fortresses of Fenouillet on this heritage getaway.

Details

n°27943755
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.30 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 309 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 305 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 548 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 344 m
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Photos

Old church

Description of the walk

Park in the car park near the church.

(S/E) From the car park, follow the red and white markings ofthe GR®36, join the D117 road and cross it to take the Ermitage road (D9).
Cross the railway line and leave the road about ten metres further on, where theGR® trail branches off to the right.
Stay on theGR® trail, which will take you to the Ermitage Notre-Dame de Laval.

(1) After a well-deserved visit to this cultural and religious site, return to theGR® trail, which follows the D9 road. Leave the road a little further on, just before the road bridge over the Saint-Jaume stream, and take the marked path opposite.

(2) This is a very beautiful section. Cross the Gorges de Saint-Jaume, where you will find a waterfall and a footbridge that you will cross. Further on, you will come to a road.
Turn left and then left again a few metres further on.
Cross the Saint-Jaume stream again and turn right before reaching an intersection.

(3) Leave theGR®36and follow the yellow-marked route to the right until you reach another fork.
Rejoin theGR® and take the track on the left until you reach an intersection about a hundred metres further on.

(4) Turn left to go to the Sabarda Tower (20 mins) with its magnificent panoramic views.

(5) After visiting the tower, return to the intersection.

(4) Continue along the route to the left and arrive at the village of Fenouillet at Saint-André Church.

(6) Leave theGR® trail, which branches off to the left, and continue straight ahead towards the viscount's castle.
Further on, ignore the street that branches off to the left and stay on the main street until you reach a small path on the left that leads to the castle and its superb panorama.
Note that there are several information panels along this section explaining the history of Fenouillet and its fortresses.

(7) Return to the church.

(6) Follow theGR®36to the right. Leave the road at the hairpin bend that branches off to the right and continue straight ahead to return to a fork in the road you passed on the way there.

(3) Turn right onto the path you took on the way there and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 344 m - Church car park
  2. 1 : km 1.71 - alt. 380 m - Ermitage Notre-Dame de Laval
  3. 2 : km 2.21 - alt. 369 m - Saint-Jaume Gorges
  4. 3 : km 3.99 - alt. 459 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  5. 4 : km 4.8 - alt. 511 m - Fork in the road. Return trip to the tower
  6. 5 : km 4.96 - alt. 548 m - Tour Sabarda
  7. 6 : km 5.36 - alt. 490 m - Fenouillet. Fork in the road. Return trip to the castle
  8. 7 : km 5.64 - alt. 535 m - St-Pierre Castle
  9. S/E : km 10.3 - alt. 344 m - Church car park

Notes

Worth a visit

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.

Downloads
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Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 6823241

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Super easy hike, beautiful landscapes just the way I like them. It was hot, so I was lucky enough to be able to swim in the Jaume Gorges. The hike took 3½ hours with a break of just over 45 minutes 😊. The view of the castle is magnificent, and the people in the little village are friendly and welcoming

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Famille NEE
Famille NEE

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent route, breathtaking gorge with spectacular scenery. Detour to see the ruins of the Viscount's castle; easy hike.

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VALMON G
VALMON G

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike without any particular difficulty. The passage through the gorges is very pleasant. Beautiful views and visit to the tower and the superb Fenouillet castle.

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Vanezoom
Vanezoom
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Quite a long round trip... but everything is clearly described. The gorges are magnificent, as are the views.

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randocaronello
randocaronello

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The passage through the gorge is magnificent and the visit to the castles is very interesting, not to mention the views.
There is an alternative route
It is possible to return without passing through the gorge a second time. This path is located opposite the road and can be seen when visiting the castle.
The start of this yellow-marked trail is in the middle of the village on the right as you climb up to the castle (it is a high trail but well secured). You cross the road once and at the second road crossing (about half an hour later, you cross the road again), descend 300 metres and you will find the entrance to the gorge you took at the start, which will be your landmark for the return journey.

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