The Source du Buc at the start of Leychert

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For the first twenty minutes, the trail climbs steadily and there are beautiful views between the bushes and trees, especially in winter. After that, you can enjoy fantastic views of the valley almost constantly.

Details

n°4515355
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.21 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 650 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 653 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,667 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,034 ft
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Photos

Snow-capped peaks above the valley
A very pleasant outing.
Shelter for donkeys
Calvary towards Roquefixade

Description of the walk

You can park in the car park behind the church. The route starts on the small square in front of the church. An orientation board allows you to enjoy the beautiful view.

(S/E) Walk up the village’s main street until you reach a grassy slope on your right.

(1) Turn slightly to the right. A wayside cross can be seen at the top and signs point the way to Roquefixade via the Cathar Trail / GR® (red and white markings). Walk for about a hundred metres.

(2) Ignore a small path on your left – this will be the return route – and carry on straight ahead. The path climbs steadily in a straight line (this will be the steepest part of the walk), then after about twenty minutes’ walk, it turns left.

(3) Leave the Cathar Trail / GR® via a small metal gate on the left and follow this narrow path which passes above the Source du Buc (almost dry, with only a large muddy puddle remaining in summer) and then climbs gently straight ahead. Don’t be distracted by the various animal tracks that cross your path.

Once you reach the highest point, the path begins a steep but short descent and takes you alongside a fence: remember to close the metal gate properly. A few more minutes’ walk and you’ll reach a small fork: you can continue along the fence on the left or take the gentle path on the right up towards a charming little wood which will offer you some welcome shade. As you leave the woodland, the track widens and becomes a path once more. Continue until you reach the junction with another cross-path.

(4) Turn left to head back down towards the village. Take the opportunity to admire the view, with the ruins of Roquefixade Castle on its hilltop opposite you and those of Montségur Castle a little further to the right in the distance.

(2) Turn right. You have already walked along this same path in the opposite direction. Say a quick hello to the donkeys as you pass (if they’ve come to take shelter in their hut on your right) and you’ll rejoin the main road, which will take you back to your car (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,037 ft - Car park at the - Église Sainte-Anne (Leychert)
  2. 1 : mi 0.1 - alt. 2,060 ft - Grassy slope
  3. 2 : mi 0.16 - alt. 2,129 ft - Junction of the circular loop
  4. 3 : mi 0.62 - alt. 2,516 ft - Leave the °°GR®°° – Take the path on the left
  5. 4 : mi 1.52 - alt. 2,572 ft - Crossroads
  6. S/E : mi 2.21 - alt. 2,034 ft - Car park at the - Église Sainte-Anne (Leychert)

Notes

This route runs halfway up the slope of the long limestone ridge stretching between Foix and Lavelanet, from which rise the Pic de l’Aspre (1,014 m) above Soula and the Roc Marot (1,001 m) above Roquefixade.

Follow the red and white markings of the GR® Cathar Trail as far as (2), then the yellow markings (which are somewhat faint, having faded over time), but the route is not difficult to follow.

Please keep dogs on a lead when approaching livestock and ensure you close gates and fences properly after passing through.

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 8 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
jean55
jean55
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, though it’s classified as ‘easy’; personally, I’d rate it as ‘moderate’, as the route really does start with a very long climb – apart from that, the scenery is beautiful. There’s a bit of a lack of signposting.

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Vendinielle
Vendinielle

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy hike offering a beautiful ridge trail. We did it in reverse and at point 3, we added the return trip to Roquefixade to enjoy the view above the castle: 8 km in 3 hours 50 minutes.

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User 23791319

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We enjoyed this hike because of its varied landscape and ease. The scenery in the region is as magnificent as ever. We decided to come back for a whole day to have a picnic in the spring in one of the large meadows above Leychert.

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hilde1958
hilde1958

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A lovely, short walk with beautiful views of Fourcat and Saint Barthelemy. Easy to follow directions.

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Roel964
Roel964

Thank you for your reply, Nicki09.
The level of difficulty varies from person to person. For example, on 1 November 2022, another hiker wrote alongside their photo: "A pleasant and easy hike (the first 15 minutes are a little more intense, but perfectly manageable!)"

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Nicki09
Nicki09

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

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

The hike is described as easy. I would moderate this opinion.

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pit31
pit31

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

The hike is very pleasant. I was able to see some beautiful scenery. The hike is very enjoyable.
I recommend it.

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famille S.
famille S.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A perfect little hike that's very accessible for families. It's quick, so we were able to enjoy it after a basketball match that finished at 3.30pm in Vernajoul without getting caught out by nightfall.
Beautiful views despite the low, grey weather.

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Roel964
Roel964

Thank you for the additional information, Olivier.
I apologise for this oversight.
I will soon be retaking this walk and then changing the text.
I hope you enjoy your walk.

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olivelerou
olivelerou
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
Thank you for the map. Update to level 3, there is now a small gate at the very beginning of the path on the left. As it is not indicated in the description, we went straight ahead and turned left further on, which meant we ended up on a different route and had to turn back after walking for two hours. The walk took three and a half hours in total.
All the best
Olivier

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