The Tower of Montaillou

Starting from Prades, this is an easy country walk. Ideal with children, this hike takes you to the ruins of the Montaillou Tower.

Details

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Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.91 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 188 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 197 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,354 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,210 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) From the La Bexane restaurant, take the path on the right that descends towards the pastures (red markings).

(1) When the path forks, turn left (ignore the red cross) and continue to the next crossroads.

(2) At elevation 1269, after the second bend, turn left onto the unmarked but clearly visible dirt track.
Follow the path straight ahead through the pastures. At the conifer plantation, leave the path on the left that leads directly to the ruins but passes over the top of the mountain, and continue to the Col du Pichaca.

(3) Turn left and follow theGR®7B-GR®107to Montaillou.

(4) Just at the entrance to the village, at the first houses, turn left to climb up to the castle ruins.
Then retrace your steps and descend to the village. Pass in front of the church and take the road on the left. At the exit of the village, take the path on the left marked Prades.

(5) At a bend, facing a long straight stretch, turn left onto the grassy path marked Prades.

(6) After the pass, the path descends to the right, through the pine trees, and leads to the foot of the Prades cemetery.
Climb back up to the road and turn left towards the inn 200 metres away (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,248 m - Parking in front of the restaurant.
  2. 1 : km 0.57 - alt. 1,225 m - Path with red cross. The - Hers (rivière) à finaliser
  3. 2 : km 1.26 - alt. 1,268 m - Turn left at elevation 1269.
  4. 3 : km 2.63 - alt. 1,317 m - Col du Pichaca (1315m)
  5. 4 : km 3.38 - alt. 1,337 m - Castle ruins
  6. 5 : km 3.94 - alt. 1,278 m - Grassy path on the left
  7. 6 : km 4.27 - alt. 1,290 m - Turn right between the pine trees.
  8. S/E : km 5.91 - alt. 1,248 m - Parking in front of the restaurant.

Worth a visit

Take a detour to visit the Tower of Montaillou.

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

4.3 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
etienne92.d
etienne92.d

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk in the countryside around Montaillou.
I was expecting more substantial ruins, but it was still enjoyable.

Thank you for the route.

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yvan09
yvan09

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The start of the hike is very poorly signposted. Turn right at La Bexane restaurant, walk past the city stadium and continue along the track that leads to an old landfill site. At the barrier, continue left along a rutted path that crosses a field. From there, continue straight on to the pass, where you will find reliable signposting. A very nice hike with pretty scenery and trees that are starting to turn brown. ......and a good restaurant at the end of the hike!

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Arnaud Jonquet
Arnaud Jonquet

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful landscapes.

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Tinic
Tinic

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 30, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Beautiful, easy hike,

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j-pouil09
j-pouil09

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Magnificent hike, superb panoramic views, very easy, very friendly locals, very well-maintained route.
I recommend this hike for all ages.
Immerse yourself in the history of this magnificent region, the ruins of Montaillou Castle, and the breathtaking panoramic views (a must for photographers and painters).

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khurdz
khurdz

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

An easy and pleasant hike, especially with the snowy landscape we had (the snow had hardened, so hiking boots were sufficient). Be careful on the last part, however, as the path is snow-covered, like ours was, and the return after Montaillou is north-facing, so the path is narrow and completely icy in these cases. It is better to return via the ridges (do not turn right at marker 6, but continue straight ahead and enjoy the view).

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Clap
Clap

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Hike accessible to families....

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JDK
JDK

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 21, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Easy hike. Little elevation gain, even when climbing to the ruins of Montaillou Castle.
Best done in late spring to see the meadows in bloom. Or in winter with snowshoes.

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