The Pech de Bugarach via the shortest route

It's not the most interesting route in the massif, but it's the shortest way to quickly reach the summit of the famous site that became legendary in 2012, the Pech de Bugarach, the mysterious highest point of the Corbières massif, a foothill of the Pyrenees and a landmark for griffon vultures, which you're sure to spot.

Technical sheet

3838100
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Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.79 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 605 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 597 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,225 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 669 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the Col du Linas on the D14 in the car park. The start of the walk is clearly signposted between two signs about the local wildlife.

(S/E) Head south on the wide path.

(1) Turn right and walk along a fairly flat path for about 600 m.

(2) Turn 90° left and walk along the clearing on your right before re-entering the forest.
continue climbing to the left.

(3) A small promontory juts out from the path with an unobstructed view of the valley. Continue to a nearby fork.

(4) Ignore the path on the right that leads to Pique Grosse and turn left to cross over to the other side.

(5) After passing through the box trees, which are dying from moth infestation, walk in the open until you reach the summit, which you can now see. Take advantage of these last hundred metres of elevation gain to watch the vultures.

(6) Once you reach the summit of Pech de Bugarach, return via the same route to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 669 m - Col du Linas (661m)
  2. 1 : km 0.64 - alt. 766 m - Turn right
  3. 2 : km 1.23 - alt. 806 m - 90° left turn
  4. 3 : km 2.47 - alt. 997 m - Unobstructed view of the valley
  5. 4 : km 2.61 - alt. 1,053 m - Turn left
  6. 5 : km 2.93 - alt. 1,151 m - Passage in the open
  7. 6 : km 3.39 - alt. 1,225 m - Pech de Bugarach
  8. S/E : km 6.79 - alt. 669 m - Col du Linas

In the nearby area

I was lucky enough to see the vultures; don't make the same mistake I did, bring a good camera with a zoom lens.

Due to the fact that it is said to be the only place on earth that will survive the apocalypse that will see the extinction of the human race, Pech de Bugarach became legendary in 2012 and, as such, attracts many curious people eager for esotericism and even gurus.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 22 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Vendinielle
Vendinielle

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A dazzling view at the summit, but still a very challenging hike. Good shoes and walking sticks are highly recommended.
About the box trees: they have been saved, the young shoots are magnificent, but it's true that there are still a lot of dead branches. People's impressions vary, it's a case of seeing the glass as half full or half empty!

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User 15060027

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very good
Another time, when it's not so hot, we'll do the other route via the Mathieux waterfall and the "window".

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GOODKARMA
GOODKARMA

Thank you very much for your feedback
have a great season ahead!
François

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MI.L
MI.L

There is no climbing on this route, where you may encounter hikers with their dogs. Keep them on a leash if they are aggressive.

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GOODKARMA
GOODKARMA

Hello everyone, and thank you for your comments.
I do have one question, though, as I always hike with my dog, who is a border collie. Do you know if the last phase, which seems to be quite challenging for some, is feasible for my companion?
Thank you in advance and all the best!
François

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ness11
ness11

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes


This route is the most accessible way to reach the summit of Pech de Bugarach. You will need sturdy footwear with good grip, as some sections can be quite slippery in wet weather
Allow 2 hours and 15 minutes for a leisurely walk
A great hike with beautiful views and very nice to do in dry weather

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Joël Bars
Joël Bars

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Unbeatable views, not to be missed!
Be careful in windy conditions (as we experienced), as gusts can be unpleasant at the summit...

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Thierry Trémas
Thierry Trémas

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

an enjoyable walk that ends with a magnificent view and a traditional picnic at point 5.
However, I regret to disagree with Clo66430: the moths were very active on the path through the woods. The green larvae (worms) with black heads are numerous, suspended from silk threads, and cling to you as you pass by. Rather unpleasant, but it's worse for the boxwood...

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Crayon11
Crayon11

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Superb location, good shoes required, and a fun landscape.
Everything is well signposted, best to visit on a clear day.

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Clo66430
Clo66430

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

I have some good news regarding the description. It said that the boxwood undergrowth was dying due to box tree moths. It looks magnificent 🙂 A vibrant green 🙂 Everything has grown back spectacularly on the dead boxwood trunks and there are no more box tree moths

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giigi
giigi

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Very beautiful hike. Fantastic views. Best done on a clear day. A little technical at the end of the climb and on the way back. Wear suitable footwear. Well frequented. I highly recommend it.

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Yann elodie
Yann elodie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Visorando is the best!!!

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SERGE 24
SERGE 24

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Superb hike, superb views, best done when there is no wind. If you arrive at the summit early enough and still have energy left, it's nice to make a round trip to the "window". It's steep and the descent is a little tricky, but it's beautiful.

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Gilportier1961
Gilportier1961

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A beautiful hike with a steep climb and plenty of shade.
You need good footwear as it can be quite slippery on the way down.
The 360° view from the summit is simply divine.
We set off around 1 p.m. and everyone else was on their way down, which left us free to explore the summit on our own.
We did the hike on a clear, sunny day with a breeze at the summit.
My wife and I highly recommend this hike, which offers some very interesting views.

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Loupounou
Loupounou

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

A pleasant walk with quite a significant elevation gain but moderately difficult. Part of the route is through woodland and then open ground at the top. Very pretty views. Quite busy.

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