Douzens walks

This is a great walk in the heart of the Alaric massif, where you can explore deep valleys and forests of holm oaks and Austrian black pines. Legend has it that the Visigoth king Alaric, passing through the region, gave the mountain its name, and some say that his treasure is hidden here. A trip to the summit offers views of the entire Aude plain, the Corbières, the Eastern Pyrenees and the Mediterranean Sea if the weather is clear enough.

At the gates of Carcassonne, the Montagne d'Alaric offers a superb viewpoint over the Pyrenees and the Aude plain. The ruins of the priories of Saint-Pierre d'Alaric and Saint-Michel de Nahuze, as well as those of the Métairie de Vidal, encourage us to reflect on the history of this mountain and the life that must have once animated it. Finally, the return journey through the vineyards of the Corbières region is an invitation to end this day's walk with a well-deserved wine tasting.

This is a challenging hike on beautiful trails to reach the Signal de l'Alaric, the highest point of the eponymous mountain range, where the view is breathtaking – literally for hikers who do the circular loop in the opposite direction.The descent that follows is challenging, over rocky terrain, with the last kilometre at a gradient of over 20% and permanent views of the Pyrenees and Corbières mountain ranges.The end, which is more relaxing but mostly on tarmac, simply completes the circular. The final variant, which is a little longer, reduces the amount of tarmac.

A circular route around the central part of the Alaric massif with beautiful panoramic views of the Corbières and the Pyrenees from the high points. The circular route starts on tarmac, then runs alongside the Corbières vineyards and finally follows the GR®36 trail along the limestone ridges. Feast your eyes!

More of a stroll than a hike, this outing is ideal for families looking to get some fresh air. Although the banks of the canal have lost some of their charm (many plane trees have been lost), there are still two locks to discover, including the Aiguille lock with its unusual sculptor.

From Lac de Barbaira, the route descends into the great Alaric fault towards the ruins of Saint-Jean Priory. The return route crosses the cliffs to reach the highest point at Cachoche, which offers a beautiful view of the Pyrenees, notably the Pic du Canigou. Above the cliffs, the route crosses a plateau that is covered in flowers in spring. The descent on the north side offers a beautiful view of Capendu.

Starting from the small village of Montlaur, in the heart of the Corbières region, this circular trail is fragrant with the scent of pine trees and heath. The return journey takes you through vineyards, in a very Mediterranean atmosphere. There is a little tarmac at the end of the route, but this should not spoil the enjoyment of the walk.

This very short walk for the whole family takes in a boat harbour, a spillway, a canal bridge, a boatman's stop, an aqueduct, a beautiful dairy farm and a small lake where you can fish for trout. A wealth of discoveries!

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.

This short hike takes you up to a vantage point where you can admire the village of Lagrasse and its listed abbey. The name "fesses de Charlemagne" (Charlemagne's buttocks) comes from a legend which tells how Charlemagne's horse stumbled, throwing him onto the hill where he landed on his backside.

This hike, a little longer than Charlemagne's buttocks, takes you to a chapel and a viewpoint overlooking the surrounding area, all surrounded by wild vegetation.

In the Laure-Minervois area, drystone shelters known as capitelles bear witness to the history and work of the rural world. This route, marked in yellow, will take you to around thirty capitelles that have been restored by the villagers.

From the village of Monze, looking south-west, you cannot miss the ruins of the Matelbine Tower, perched on its wooded promontory. Through vineyards and pine woods, this hike first leads to a small lake with a picnic area before continuing on to the tower. Finally, the return to Monze offers unobstructed views of the Bretonne valley, where vineyards and cypress hedges create a beautiful scene.

A walk in the hills above Tournissan, surrounded by pine trees, vineyards and heath. Geology enthusiasts will particularly enjoy the section through the Terres Rouges, where you follow part of the Sentier Francis Lastenouse trail, which is full of informative signs. Not to mention the magnificent natural surroundings, rich in striking colour contrasts, which are sure to delight other walkers.

The route is shaped like a leaf, in reference to the vineyard it crosses. It leads from Serviès-en-Val to Rieux-en-Val and then to Villemagne. Follow the well-marked "Chemin des Six Sens" (Path of the Six Senses) and return to Serviès-en-Val by following the yellow markings.

A hike amongst vines, garrigue and fragrant pines to discover several capitelles (shelters) and ancient sheep-pens built of limestone rocks, vestiges of the work of local peasants on these slopes in previous times. At the end of the trail, the St Cécile chapel, built on a very pleasant site, offers a great area to relax.

Despite its modest altitude, Mont Major (541 m), the highest point of the Serre de Blanes, offers a magnificent 360° panorama that takes in the Montagne d'Alaric, the Carcassonne plain and, on a clear day, the peaks of the Ariège Pyrenees and Canigou. The climb, starting from the village of Saint-Pierre-des-Champs, takes place in a landscape typical of the Corbières region, with small isolated vineyards, pine trees and heath where holm oaks reign supreme. A breath of fresh air and peace and quiet guaranteed.

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.

Hike around Maryonnes with beautiful views of the Corbières. The trail climbs steeply in the first part through the undergrowth.

The Lacamp plateau overlooking the Val de Dagne offers numerous viewpoints. Heath, communal forest (beech and oak) and state-owned forest (fir and cedar). This trail passes two orientation tables that provide information about the Montagne Noire and the Pyrenees. It led to Bouisse, a day's walk across the Lacamp plateau. On the village square, next to the fountain and at the corner of the old town hall, a sign describing the trail was installed in 2010. Since 2020, the old public toilets have become the smallest museum in the world!

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.

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.

Starting from Thézan-des-Corbières, this hike through pine trees and heathland leads to the natural amphitheatre of the Cirque de Viviès, a geological curiosity of the Corbières. After a somewhat challenging descent to the wild valley floor, the landscape opens up and vineyards appear everywhere. At the end of the route, the magnificent Château de Caraguilhes wine estate is a tempting invitation to end the day on a delicious note.

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 curious rock that dances, at least according to legend, a comprehensive botanical trail and an orientation table offering a magnificent 360° panorama: this is what you can expect on this easy hike through the sweet scent of pine trees. Not to mention the numerous ridge passages that offer beautiful views of the surrounding villages, the Corbières vineyards and, at the very end of the route, the great peaks of Occitanie.

This beautiful hike combines nature, history and modern technology. Enjoy exceptional views of the wine-growing plain.Ideal for nature lovers and those looking to escape for a few hours in a peaceful setting.

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