Lastours and its Cathar castrums

⚠️ 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.

Details

3807382
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.81 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 356 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 355 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 325 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 197 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Access via Carcassonne, Conques-sur-Orbiel, D101 towards Lastours. In the centre of Lastours, turn left onto the D701 towards Villanière, Salsigne and Belvédère. Park in the car park at the entrance to the Belvédère campsite.

(S/E) From the car park opposite the campsite, head towards the building on the right or, if it is closed, directly towards the gate to its right. When one is open, the other is closed. Continue to the viewpoint.

(1) From the viewpoint, return to the campsite and go around it on the right until you come to a path on the right that descends into the forest towards Lastours. Take this path to the bridge over the Grésilhou. Cross it and immediately take the footbridge on the right that runs alongside the Orbiel, following the signs for "Accueil. Visite des châteaux" (Reception. Visit the castles).

(2) First pass by the Cabaret.

(3) Then to the Tour Régine.

(4) Then to Surdespine. Descend to Cabaret via the eastern slope until you reach a crossroads.

(5) At this crossroads, on the right, you will find the castle village of Cabaret and on the left, the forge. After visiting these two sites, head south.

(6) Arrive at Quertinheux. Descend and return to the reception building, cross the road and the bridge, then turn right onto the path that leads back up to the campsite. Once at the top, go around the campsite on the right until you reach the road. Then turn left and finish the tour of the campsite until you reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 311 m - Parking
  2. 1 : km 0.24 - alt. 309 m - Belvédère. Towards the footbridge over the - Orbiel (rivière)
  3. 2 : km 2.23 - alt. 315 m - Cabaret
  4. 3 : km 2.32 - alt. 317 m - Tour Régine
  5. 4 : km 2.63 - alt. 321 m - Surdespine
  6. 5 : km 3.11 - alt. 263 m - Crossroads. Castle village and forge.
  7. 6 : km 4.1 - alt. 298 m - Quertinheux
  8. S/E : km 5.81 - alt. 311 m - Parking

Notes

Completed on 12 August 2020. 4 hours including a snack break and time to visit.
The castles of Lastours

Travel back in time

PAID VISIT. PRICES HERE. Includes access to the Belvédère and the 4 castles site.

The descent from the Belvédère to the village is via a shaded and very pleasant forest path. The castle site, on the other hand, is exposed. A hat and water are essential.

Please note:
- the road when crossing the Lastours bridge,
- the wind, which can cause you to lose your balance, and dust in your eyes.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 13 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
JM58
JM58

Thank you for your comment.
I am delighted that you enjoyed the walk and had a lovely day.

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vivierois
vivierois

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

In a word: magnificent. From the start to the campsite and the castle tour, it's great. You do need to be physically fit and wear good footwear, though.

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leonisa14
leonisa14

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It's not really a hike, but rather a paid tour of a site with medieval castle ruins and access to a viewpoint overlooking these castles included in the ticket price. The site is very interesting to visit, following the suggested route outlined in the brochure provided at the entrance.

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JM58
JM58

Thank you for your comment.
I'm glad you enjoyed the walk.

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robert34
robert34

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Having studied the route on Visorando before coming, and being with two young children aged 8 and 11, I skipped the return trip between the viewpoint and the village, which wasn't very interesting, and generally followed the route in the very well-designed leaflet. Quertinheux, then straight to Castrum for a picnic away from the trails. We climbed back up and visited Tour Régine and Cabaret, then returned via the forge, cave, footbridge viewpoint and Surdespine. After the visit, we drove up to see the two belvederes. As much as I deplore the increasingly exaggerated prices charged at many tourist sites, especially car parks, given the excellent facilities and information panels, the price is reasonable, especially with the family rate on offer. A lovely 3½-hour walk with a picnic, taking our time.

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JM58
JM58
• Edited:

Thank you for your comment.
I'm glad you enjoyed the walk.

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gb2o
gb2o

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route that can be completed in between 2 and 2½ hours, but not recommended for people who are not in good physical condition or who have difficulty with stairs.

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JM58
JM58

Thank you for your comment.
I'm glad you enjoyed the walk.

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yunayna
yunayna

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I started with the castles, then climbed up to the viewpoint and returned via the hamlet of Lacombe. Very few people at 9 o'clock in the morning. Avoid visiting in the afternoon during the summer. No one on the circular viewpoint.

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JM58
JM58

Thank you for your comment.
I'm glad you enjoyed the walk.

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luque
luque

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent route, extremely peaceful, a real change of scenery and with a cultural aspect to boot . Be aware, however, that there is a significant elevation gain, so make sure you have good shoes, water and fairly sporty clothing. For me, the numerous steps to climb up and down are more difficult than the very shady forest path from the belvedere car park. I highly recommend this hike, which will allow you to reconnect with nature and be transported back to France's beautiful history.

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JM58
JM58

Thank you for clarifying that.

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navo
navo

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Please note that the paid entrance to the castles is closed in January, so we had to be clever and go in via the exit along the river!

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JM58
JM58

Thank you for your comment.
I'm glad you enjoyed the walk.

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Wolfran
Wolfran

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A nice little hike

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