Labastide-Esparbairenque walks

Exploring La Montagne Noire and one of the highest waterfalls in Europe.

On the border between the Tarn and Aude departments, this circuit allows you to discover four authentic villages preserved in their green setting: Mas-Cabardès, which is the starting point, Roquefère and its castle, Miraval and La Tourette. Although mostly in the woods, the first part of the hike offers magnificent views of the Carcassonne plain, the Corbières and the Pyrenees in the background.

The Pic de Nore is the highest point and iconic summit of the Montagne Noire, with its transmitter visible for dozens of kilometres around. The circuit described here allows you to make the ascent without any difficulty, passing by several exceptional viewpoints over the Pyrenees. Two menhirs along the way and a visit to the old ice houses in Pradelles-Cabardès are a pleasant addition to this varied hike at medium altitude.

This challenging hike involves four successive ascents and descents in the foothills of the Montagne Noire. It offers a wide variety of places and views throughout the day. To complete this loop, we have cleared a path through broom and holm oak trees. The GPX track is essential for following this section, which is approximately 400 m long, from the point (10). The rest of the hike is on well-marked trails. Note the crossing of the Ruisseau de La Grave (at an altitude of 397 m), which can be tricky if the flow is strong.

Loop, on little-known trails or ones we create, reserved for experienced walkers who are willing to follow the GPX track and are not afraid to take poorly marked trails, most of which are unmarked.

To complete a loop in the Montagne Noire on unmarked, poorly marked and rarely used paths, we have opened up a few sections of trail that allowed us to enjoy an unusual experience in a little-known area. If you like adventure, don't forget to take the GPX track with you!

Facing the Pic de Nore, which saw the Tour de France pass through in 2018, the wind turbines installed on Mont Sarrat and spread across the municipalities of Pradelles-Cabardès and Cabrespine immediately catch the eye. TheGR®36, coming from Pic de Nore, winds its way at the foot of the masts before plunging towards Carcassonne via the Pas de Montsarrat, an ancient "Roman" communication route. The short length of the route offers the opportunity to extend the hike along the lake (see practical information).

A fantastic hike starting from Lake Pradelles-Cabardès leading to Pic de Nore, the highest peak of the Montagne Noire, with its breathtaking 360° view stretching from Hérault to Tarn via Aude, Pyrénées Orientales, Ariège and Haute Garonne.

Pic de Nore is the highest point of the Montagne Noire (1,211 m). The climb is fairly easy from the typical village of Pradelles Cabardès. It mainly takes you through beech forests with views of moorland offering superb panoramas to the south over the Pyrenees and to the north over the Espinouse. In addition to the Pic de Nore, which offers a magnificent 360° view, this circuit allows you to visit the "Cabane d'Hélène" menhirs and the famous ice houses of Pradelles.

Magnificent landscapes on the border between Haut-Cabardès and Minervois for a circular route that follows the GR®36 on the way back from the foot of Pradelles-Cabardès, taking an old Roman road. Breathtakingly beautiful landscapes, except for the Tramontane wind.

A magnificent circular hike around Cabrespine offering beautiful 360° views, walks through fragrant heath scrubland in bloom (especially in spring), surprising caves (best visited with a head torch) and historical remains (a Roman road, a castle, etc.).

⚠️ THERE IS AN ENTRANCE FEE TO VISIT THE SITE. See reviews. An enjoyable cultural visit combining walking and discovery, history and a journey into the past: visit the Cathar castles of Lastours. Four castrums on the same route: Quertinheux, Surdespine, Tour Régine, Cabaret. Suitable for families with motivated children. There are a large number of steps, which will give your psoas and quadriceps a good workout.

Between rocks, caves and passes, this hike starting from the Gouffre Géant de Cabrespine offers beautiful views of the Minervois plain, the Corbières massif and, weather permitting, the Pyrenees mountain range.

A loop trail to discover the sheepfolds of yesteryear and enjoy beautiful views of the Pyrenees, the Montagne Noire and the Pic de Nore.

A lovely, varied hike with alternating limestone and schist formations and many beautiful views (as far as the Pyrenees).

An easy hike, ideal for those who love peace and quiet and walking in the forest, offering a gentle introduction to the Montagne Noire and the Massif de Nore. The route combines sunken paths lined with beautiful hawthorn and holly hedges, clearings, pastures and large forest areas where spruce trees grow alongside deciduous trees. A breath of fresh air on the outskirts of Mazamet.

The Clamoux, a small river and tributary of the Orbiel, rises on the slopes of Pic de Nore, the iconic peak of the Montagne Noire, where a Tour de France relay station stands. Following forest tracks, with climbs of varying difficulty, you arrive near the source of the Clamoux, a small stream at the start, which you follow on the right bank, off the marked trail, descending into the Soulanes de Nore National Forest to Laviale, which, along with six other hamlets, makes up the village of Castans.

Petite balade autour du village durant laquelle vous allez souvent longer des murettes en pierres sèches. Les sentiers ont été creusés à flanc de colline et ces murettes ont été montées pour retenir la terre du fond dominant. Nous sommes en 2016 et le tracé a été reconnu et identifié par des marques de couleur Rouge. Ces marques ne respectent pas la forme officielle de la FFR mais sont parfaitement visibles car assez larges. Cela n'est pas inutile car certains sentiers sont dans les champs.

The walk is half sheltered from the sun and wind. There is a little tarmac and a lot of almost carriageable, limestone and very stony paths.

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

From Lac de Laprade Basse in the commune of Cuxac-Cabardès, "Let's go for a walk in the woods to see if the wolf is there!" In fact, let's set off to explore the Loubatière National Forest, from the Dure River, which feeds the lake, to the Linon Stream, which joins it upstream from Montolieu. Beneath centuries-old trees stand the ruins of an old Carthusian monastery abandoned long before the Revolution, due, among other things, to wolves... which have since been replaced by deer.

Here is a variation on the "Lac de Laprade, around the lake" hike. This variation avoids the climb up the paved road to the village of Laprade Basse. It allows you to visit the Laprade peat bogs and enjoy a pleasant walk on pontoons.

Hike with elevation gain, marked in yellow at intervals, which will allow you to use the Hautpoul footbridge opened at the end of 2018 and cross the medieval village of the same name. There is a tricky section between points (6) and (7) where recent tree felling has more or less destroyed the mapped paths and removed the markers.

Very pleasant trail between water and forest followed by a themed trail on the peat bog with explanatory panels. Ideal in hot weather, very shady trail (except for the dyke).

This is a circular route that takes you over the Mazamet footbridge, avoiding the crowds. At the end of the hike, there will be a few people around the Maison du Bois et du Jouet, where the activities will be greatly appreciated by young and old alike.

This trail runs south of Hautpoul through varied landscapes, a forest with multiple species and ever-changing flora. Your efforts to reach its heart will be rewarded by the discovery of this magnificent and picturesque little medieval village. At the foot of the Virgin perched on her rock, you will have access to a superb panorama. There are several historical sites, in particular Saint-Pierre des Plots. See warning at the beginning of the description

On 300 hectares, an association in Conques-sur-Orbiel has restored a large number of drystone shelters, which were once used to shelter farmers when they worked on this inhospitable land. The rocks dug up during the work were used to build these shelters. You will come across around thirty of these drystone shelters.

This is a round trip to visit the hilltop village of Hautpoul, discovering the Mazamet footbridge that leads there. The footbridge offers breathtaking views of the Arnette valley. This route takes you along the Chemin de la Jamarié, an old salt road and Roman road, until you reach the footbridge.

A very pretty walk north of the village of Aragon, allowing you to discover the drystone shelter housing estate with its dry stone walls, its hillside planted with pine trees and the plateau with its drystone shelters, stone walls and panoramic views. The route is very well signposted and the information boards are very interesting.

Walk in full sun. Don't forget your hat and water. Avoid when it has rained the previous week as the vineyard soil is very clayey and remains sticky for a long time. Very beautiful views of the village of Aragon.