The Combes circular

de fr

Hike through vineyards, heath and pine trees. During this walk, we will pass around several combs, which inspired its name. We will take the famous Cathar Trail, which we will leave halfway down to descend towards Roquefort. At the highest point, we can admire Roquefort at the foot of its cliffs, as well as the coastline with the sea and the Sigean Lagoon.

Details

n°395155
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.56 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 219 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 217 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 253 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 69 m
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Photos

panorama
Roquefort and its cliff
View of Sigean and its lake.
Pastoral cave

Description of the walk

You can park in the car park located on the site of the old cemetery. Access is via Rue des Trois Moulins. It is signposted at the top of the street. Please note that only cars can access this area as there is a height restriction barrier (motorhomes are not permitted).

(S/E) When you leave the car park, take Rue du Camin del Bosc, then continue along Chemin de la Triolle.

(1) At the intersection, leave the path on your right and continue straight ahead on the tarmac path furthest to the left.

(2) Take the path on the right, following the Cathar Trail. Walk along the Combe de Bouc.

(3) Leave the Cathar trail and take the path on the left. After 50 metres, leave the path on the right and continue climbing for another 50 metres.

(4) You will come to a T-junction. Take the barely visible path on the right, which is much narrower and marked by a stake with a yellow mark. Walk along the Combe de Chante Perdrix for about 500 metres and rejoin the Cathar Trail.

(5) Leave the path on your left and continue on the Sentier Cathare. You will be overlooking the Combe de la Clotte. After a short descent, tackle a slightly steeper climb that will take you to the plateau. Follow the westbound path.

(6) Leave the Cathar Trail and turn right. Begin the descent towards Roquefort.

(7) View of Sigean and its lake. We can also admire the entire coastline.

(8) View of Roquefort and its cliffs. The descent becomes steeper. We overlook the Combe du Four. Reach the Col de Naut.

(1) Take the same route back and arrive at the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 70 m - Car park located at the old cemetery
  2. 1 : km 0.49 - alt. 75 m - Col de Naut
  3. 2 : km 0.8 - alt. 73 m - On the right, head towards the Cathar Trail.
  4. 3 : km 1.82 - alt. 88 m - Leave the path leading to the pastoral cave.
  5. 4 : km 2.14 - alt. 122 m - Small path marked by a yellow trail.
  6. 5 : km 3.23 - alt. 151 m - Combe de la Clotte
  7. 6 : km 5.53 - alt. 249 m - Leave the Cathar Trail.
  8. 7 : km 6.5 - alt. 239 m - View of Sigean and its lake.
  9. 8 : km 7.76 - alt. 156 m - View of Roquefort and its cliffs
  10. S/E : km 10.56 - alt. 71 m - Car park located at the old cemetery

Worth a visit

300m from (3), follow the path on the right to see a pastoral cave marked by several signs.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 13 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
martine cls
martine cls

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful landscapes that only the Aude region can offer, with lots of beautiful rocks. Two interesting pastoral caves and pleasant forest trails.
A lovely, easy hike.

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Jean.Taverne
Jean.Taverne

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

There are no restrictions following the fires in this area of the route. Very pleasant with beautiful views. The description is a little brief but easy to follow with a map or route. The cave is worth a detour, as is the climb to the first marker.

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User 17744267
• Edited:

Please note that following the summer fires, the trail is closed: prefectural decree

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bernard coulomb
bernard coulomb

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful circular through the classic Corbières landscape. The milestones (from the Augustus and Constantine eras), in a well-presented site, are well worth the short detour.
No problems tracking with GPX.

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ThierryGabriel
ThierryGabriel
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Access to car park S/E: this is just outside the village. There is a car park just before Camin del Bosc street, but you can continue a little further to the exit where there is another car park.
The "Cathar trail" is not always well signposted, so it is best to follow the directions (right, left, etc.).
Great views at the start and end of the hike. It may be useful to have a map of the area (and a compass ) to locate the different spots (Sigean, Bages lake, Gruissan, Port la Nouvelle, etc.).
Between 5 and 6 (plateau) there are numerous observation posts.
To reach the cave, follow the green markings on the ground (towards point 3).
This is a windy area, so a windbreaker is useful.

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Myriam031972
Myriam031972

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 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 lovely, easy walk, with just two slightly long climbs.

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sosomamie66
sosomamie66

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

The path to find the pastoral cave was blocked by brambles. It is now 20 metres before the ditch marked by a cairn. It would have been a shame to miss it.

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Audreydel66
Audreydel66

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A relatively easy hike for families, with one or two steeper climbs than the others, but nothing too difficult.
However, it should be avoided in very hot weather as most of the route is in direct sunlight.
The short detour to the cave is clearly marked at point 3 (small sign saying "300m" to follow to the right, then two cairns to follow along the vineyard to reach the cave).
The military markers are very well signposted.
The village of Roquefort is well worth a visit for its narrow streets.

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renardmi
renardmi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

beautiful route, very beautiful scenery

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PC63190
PC63190

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant and fairly easy hike on wide paths, with some beautiful views.

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Le Guernic Marcel
Le Guernic Marcel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful panoramas, a dream setting!

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Jo-Li66
Jo-Li66

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

As the hike is not very long, you can add a few detours:
- Shepherd's cave
- Milestones (but we'll cover these on the neighbouring hike)
- St Martin's Chapel (on the way back, when you get close to Roquefort).

Avoid this hike when it is too hot.

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pasglop
pasglop

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 29, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Hello,
Thank you to the creator of this beautiful hike and to the various comments that allowed us to enjoy the milestone markers (a "must-see" detour) and Berger's cave.
Done with our two dogs.

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Boby47
Boby47

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

The car park at Place de l'ancien cimetière is very often full due to parking difficulties for residents in the old village. It would be more sensible to recommend the car park provided by the municipality at Col de Naut on the outskirts of the village (point 1), which is signposted from the stadium via Chemin Neuf and Chemin de la Trillole.
Lack of detail on how to access the pastoral cave 300 m from point 3, no signs on site and impossible to find!
The description of the hike does not mention the Bornes Milliaires (Roman ruins) and the Berger cave, which are well worth seeing. The milestones can be reached after point (5) before starting the climb to the plateau (sign). Continuing on, the path (yellow markings for the circular Boucle Pastorale) goes around a vineyard and enters a narrow valley. After about 150 metres of fairly steep climbing, you reach Berger's Cave (small signpost). This detour adds a little extra to a walk which, apart from the view of the ponds and the village, lacks a little interest.

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