The Bois des Gardes in Ferrals-les-Montagnes

Here, sheltered by deciduous and coniferous forests, you can take your time to enjoy the hike in the cool shade.
Here you’ll find the Cesse, the Minervois’ iconic river, which has its source here (to be explored off the trail).

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.92 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 300 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 300 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 624 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 420 m

Description of the walk

Start from the car park at the village exit, take the D12 road towards Campredon/Saint-Pons-de-Thomières.

(S/E) Start the hike by returning to the centre of the village, then turn left down Rue du Lavoir. Continue past the bridge.

(1) After the bridge, climb the path on the right which leads to a small road. Follow this road to the right until you reach a fork.

(2) Take the track on the right and you will come to another fork.

(3) Follow the track on the right and continue to the next fork.

(4) Keep left and leave the track on your right. Make a left turn to reach a crossroads. You can choose the short version here.

(5) For the original route, pass the junction on the right of the short version and arrive at a crossroads. Turn right and pass the cistern. Take the left-hand track after the cistern and climb up to another track.

(6) Take the track on the right and descend, then climb back up towards Serre d'Enbalmis.

(7) Descend to the right, follow the track to the right again and come out onto another track.

(8) Go up it on the right, then turn left. Stay on the main track, ignoring the forks on the right, until you reach the second stream. Cross it and you will come to a fork.

(9) Take the track on the right, then the path that runs alongside the Cesse to the footbridge and waterfalls. Turn right onto the road. When you reach the village, go up the road to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 461 m - Car park - Cesse (rivière) - Affluent de l'Aude
  2. 1 : km 0.41 - alt. 443 m - T-junction after the bridge - Cesse (rivière) - Affluent de l'Aude
  3. 2 : km 1.63 - alt. 557 m - Fourche
  4. 3 : km 2.02 - alt. 575 m - Crossroads
  5. 4 : km 2.83 - alt. 623 m - Intersection at La Gardio
  6. 5 : km 4.43 - alt. 548 m - Point where the routes split
  7. 6 : km 5.19 - alt. 556 m - Track
  8. 7 : km 5.72 - alt. 540 m - Track at La Serre d'Enbalmis
  9. 8 : km 7.14 - alt. 484 m - Track
  10. 9 : km 8.67 - alt. 466 m - Crossroads
  11. S/E : km 10.92 - alt. 463 m - Car park - Cesse (rivière) - Affluent de l'Aude

Notes

Our tip: discover the Source de la Cesse, the perfect spot for a picnic.
Access: on leaving the village, head towards La Pode after the bridge, then turn right along the river.

Departure from the car park at the village exit, take the D12 road towards Campredon/Saint-Pons-de-Thomières.

Worth a visit

THE SOURCE OF THE CESSE
The Cesse river rises in Ferrals-les-Montagnes and flows into the Aude after 53 km. An area has been set up for locals and visitors to enjoy the site.
Access: on leaving the village, head towards La Pode after the bridge, turn right along the river.

ROC SUZADOU
Take a short detour to the Roc Suzadou orientation table (720 m above sea level) and enjoy the magnificent panorama: the forest on one side, heather and hayfields on the other, and in front of you the wine-growing plain, the Corbières, the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean.
A 180° view of unparalleled beauty!

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 2 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Legrandas
Legrandas

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike in lovely weather; enjoyable, easy, great photo opportunities. The cherry on top of this "Visorando" hike is the waterfall at the end of the trail.
PS: Perhaps put up a sign indicating that you need to turn right when you take the path (after point 9) that descends towards the river at the end of the route.

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Manue SESMA
Manue SESMA

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike, especially the second half, with trails and, at the end, a bridge with a waterfall.
On the way back by car, we stopped to see the Lauriolle curiosity (the rising coast).

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