Labastide-en-Val walks

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 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.

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.

A large, gentle hill that is easily accessible, Milobre de Bouisse nevertheless rises to an altitude of 878 m and offers a magnificent view of the Corbières, the Canigou massif, Pech de Bugarach and the Ariège Pyrenees. After an open first section dominated by pastures, the route continues through charming valleys where conifers grow alongside numerous deciduous species before returning to the meadows for a final panoramic view.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Lake Cavayère is the place to visit in Carcassonne when the sun is out. The path around the lake is laid out clearly and is very easy to follow even with children (over ten years). The ever present lake provides a very pleasant setting.

Loop around Valmigère in the undergrowth, then up to the heights with a beautiful panorama of the Pyrenees and the Pic de Bugarach. The loop is marked with a descriptive sign in front of the town hall and marked in yellow. It is described in an anti-clockwise direction, but I recommend doing it clockwise, as the slopes are gentler on the way up (I did the loop in this direction). The signs indicate a time of 3 hours, which should be taken into account with breaks, as it is not difficult.

Once you've conquered the first kilometre, this hike offers superb panoramic views. The path along the ridge allows you to discover beautiful holm oaks, white heather, cotton cistus and many other plants.

Starting from the small medieval village of Villerouge-Termenès, this route offers a wide variety of views over the vineyards of the plain, the scrubland, the woods and the wild canyons of the Hautes Corbières. At an altitude of 500 metres, you can see the Montagne Noire and the magnificent Pyrenees mountain range in the distance.

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.

An ascent through forest, with beautiful stands of cedar trees. A pleasant ridge walk with beautiful views.

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.

From the medieval city, which you can visit before or after the walk, it is worth going to the top of Pech Mary to enjoy a 360° panorama of the city and its surroundings, as well as a bird's eye view of the city, particularly Porte Narbonnaise.