The Pla de Brézou

Very nice circuit that will take you over grazing areas that are still used.
The last part of the circuit overhangs the gorges of Galamus.

Details

63225
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.21 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,886 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,877 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,257 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,037 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

From Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet that the road to the Galamus gorges 3.5 km away (by car).
The start of the hike is at a car park to the left, in front of the other car park for the Ermitage. Fairly large car park, provided for coaches. The hike may well start from the car park of the the Ermitage, but in this case a little more of the route must be taken on foot.

(S) From this car park, head down to the road for 750 m due west. Follow the Red and White GR36 markings.

(1) In the hollow of a right turn (340 m), a sign indicates to the right: Cathar trail and Peyrepertuse to the left. The sign for Pla Brézou was added. Turn left and follow the trail that climbs north-east for 100 m. Follow the Red and White markings

(2) Turn left passing a track on your right. Follow the Red and White markings. Pass by the Del Four stream__ often dry (340 m). Keep climbing this steep path (north-east and east).

(3) Arrival at Col de Corbass (419 m) that we do not pass through. Head off to the left (west then north-west). Continue to climb in hairpin bends.

(4) At 495 m the path passes the stream again. At around 520 m the path climbs to the east.

(5) At about 630 m the road opens into a vast clearing. Arrival at the Pla de Brézou (660 m).

(6) Turn right. Continue in the direction of Château de Peyrepertuse. The path goes down due south towards the Col de Lapres (601 m). It crosses two streams which are often dry.

(7) Before the Col de Lapres, a water point and a pool are located right at the fork.
Turn fully left, due south-west. Follow the track in the direction of Cubiéres. This track winds then heads due west, above the trough. Follow for approximately 2.8 km.

(8) Head straight ahead, pass the trail that heads off to the right towards the thalweg.

(9) Warning. At 650 m in a hairpin bend. Do not take the right turn, in the direction of Camps-sur-l'Agly. The trail descends and into the forest. Continue to the left and along the well-marked trail. A less-used track can be found to the left here.

(10) Arrival at a level plain (615 m). From this open area, go left in the direction of St Paul, Pic d’Auroux.
After 1,000 m, pass by a trail that climbs to the left. Then, after 600 m, at a big curve, pass by a path down to the right.

(11) Arriving at the Col das Souls (685 m). Continue on this path in the hollow of the valley. Do not take the path that descends steeply to the right to the road.

(12) Reach a fork. Head to the right, due south. (Leave the left path that leads to the Pla de Brézou). Follow this wonderful stone path leading down. A magnificent view of the Galamus Gorge awaits you. Continue to head downwards. At around 503 m the path heads off to the east. This reconnects with the road and back to the car park

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,247 ft - Car park on the left, before the Hermitage car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.09 - alt. 1,217 ft - Left towards the GR
  3. 2 : mi 0.4 - alt. 1,345 ft - Cairn and signpost. Steep path
  4. 3 : mi 0.62 - alt. 1,066 ft - Left on the GR36 - Maury (rivière) - Affluent de l'Agly
  5. 4 : mi 1.22 - alt. 1,335 ft - To the left - Col de Corbasse
  6. 5 : mi 1.74 - alt. 1,631 ft - Crossing the stream
  7. 6 : mi 2.31 - alt. 2,093 ft - All rights
  8. 7 : mi 2.73 - alt. 2,165 ft - Bifurcation
  9. 8 : mi 3.17 - alt. 1,896 ft - Water trough. Left towards Cubiéres
  10. 9 : mi 3.31 - alt. 1,870 ft - All Rights
  11. 10 : mi 4.07 - alt. 2,139 ft - All right not to go down
  12. 11 : mi 5.1 - alt. 2,028 ft - Fork in the road. Turn left
  13. 12 : mi 5.75 - alt. 2,159 ft - Fork, go right
  14. 13 : mi 6.11 - alt. 1,995 ft - GR 367. On the left as you go up
  15. 14 : mi 6.68 - alt. 2,198 ft - Straight on GR - Col das Souls
  16. 15 : mi 7.01 - alt. 2,077 ft - Junction. Right, due south
  17. S/E : mi 8.21 - alt. 1,247 ft - Car park on the left, before the Hermitage car park

Notes

Warning: pay attention to the remaining markings in different colours, the indications, the signs of different shapes, the places indicated and the spellings of these places.
Allow at least 2 litres of water, good hillwalking shoes, a camera, a walking stick can be useful on the descent. No drinking water refill point. No shelter to my knowledge.
Do not forget this description and a map, windproof clothing and rain gear, plus warm clothes.

Worth a visit

Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet website:
http://www.st-paul66.com
Address for “Accueil Paysan” accommodation:
http://www.labastide.net
Near the car park by car and entering the gorge you can see: Hermitage of Saint Anthony of Galamus.
Getting to the accommodation mentioned above allows, therefore, to cross the Gorges (by car).

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 37 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
lemarcheur65
lemarcheur65 ★
• Edited:

Hello Amé N.

I think you’re referring to my other hike: Le Pla de Brézou and Le Pech d’Auroux.
Because you mention rocks between (8) and (9).

On this hike, Le Pla de Brézou and Le Pech d'Auroux, it says:

A less strenuous version exists: Le Pla de Brézou

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Amé N.
Amé N.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 15, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I’d say this route is quite challenging because of a rocky section between 8 and 9

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gyp
gyp

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

interesting route, as described, with very nice views at the end of the route

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Famille NEE
Famille NEE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pretty walk with magnificent scenery. A real pleasure

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Doumic
Doumic

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant trail that was easy to follow. Much of the track was very muddy but not impassable.
We really enjoyed the balcony section above the Gorges de Galamus.

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Gazoulette
Gazoulette
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I did this walk in excellent weather conditions. I usually go via the Pech d'Auroux, but this was a new trail for me. It was nice, but "long", quite muddy in places, and rather shady. It wasn't difficult to find your way around; we didn't see anyone along the way.

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PhilEma
PhilEma
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Departure from the Las Ribes parking area. The GPS track is not at all reliable, so it's best to follow the signs! As for the so-called overhang of the Gorges de Galamus, you'll have to explain to me how that's possible, given that the gorges are at least 2 km away! Very nice walk with no particular difficulties and some very beautiful viewpoints !!!

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Adrien31
Adrien31

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice walk, not too difficult.
The Pla de Brézou is the only place to eat and is very pleasant.

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Mick88
Mick88

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike. Great variety of landscapes. Very good description. Beautiful views.

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georgesrando66
georgesrando66

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike, but the GPS track is not very reliable on the outward journey (up to the pla), so it's better to use the map, which meant we were a bit late, as we started the walk based on the famous track, and we had to stop everything and continue "the old-fashioned way". I think it would be a good idea to point out the presence of a cairn at point 13 and to warn you about the difficulty of the descent that follows: a rather steep slope and a veritable carpet of unstable stones - poles required and good quality high boots! Apart from these comments, the walk is superb, with flowers everywhere, and the pla de Brézou itself is magnificent.

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Pascal BERGER
Pascal BERGER

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We made a mistake at the Pla de Brezou and took the alternative route via the Pech d'Auroux, which we're glad we did. The climb was steeper than the forest track, but what a reward when we reached the top. We had an excellent day.

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Lioraw
Lioraw

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It's a lovely ride with magnificent scenery. The first 3 kilometres are very steep.
We opted for the grand tour. After the spring, the path is pleasant, wide and easy to walk on for 3/4 km.
However, we didn't find point 10 of the description very clear.
On the road you will see a sign indicating a very rapid descent towards Galamus, which indicates that you should go down to the right.
If you wish to follow the normal route, you should continue straight on and not take this path on the right (which we did by mistake).
The path down is very, very steep and very stony, a real strengthening exercise for the ankles... Then you come to the road to the Gorges and it takes a little longer to get back to the car park, as we've done 14km in all.
Don't forget to take plenty of water, as it's hard on a sunny day.

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tortue888
tortue888

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 05, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Lovely walk, we did the alternative route via Pech d'Auroux, it was perfect, beautiful scenery, magnificent views.
At the beginning, to avoid going down by the road, it is now indicated in the 1st bend 100 m from the car park
"Take the 1st track on the left, which climbs a little, then descends and rejoins the GR at point 2.

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lemah
lemah

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Superb hike, great variety of scenery. I did this walk solo, in very foggy weather, but that didn't spoil my enjoyment. I was able to see lots of birds. The crossing points are perfectly well explained. Thanks to Lemarcheur65!

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ELISA30
ELISA30

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

beautiful views
pleasant walk

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