Drystone shelters of Conques-sur-Orbiel

On 300 hectares, an association in Conques-sur-Orbiel has restored a large number of drystone shelters, which were once used to shelter farmers when they worked on this inhospitable land. The rocks dug up during the work were used to build these shelters. You will come across around thirty of these drystone shelters.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.97 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 95 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 96 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 246 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 166 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Access: From Carcassonne, the Bezons crossroads and the D201, pass west of Conques-sur-Orbiel. Immediately after the village, turn left onto the D901, which is signposted "Salitis". Follow this small road until you see a small sign for "drystone shelter" on your right and a gravel road. You can park your car here, there is plenty of space.

(S/E) Start the walk by taking this unpaved, bumpy road. After 100 metres, continue on your left until you reach a crossroads.

(1) On your left, you will see a small post with an iron triangle. Turn left onto this path to see your first drystone shelters. After about 300 metres, the path turns right to the north-east to join the bumpy track, which you take to the left. You will arrive at a large crossroads where an information sign shows you the routes chosen by the association (you can use these as inspiration, but the walk we suggest is a combination of three different routes. As one route can be done in both directions, you will sometimes see arrows pointing in the opposite direction).

(2) Turn right at the large sign. Shortly afterwards, you will find a path leading off to the right. Take this path for a round trip to a staircase-style drystone shelter, the only one of its kind on this route. Then return along the path and continue to the right. After 200 metres, turn right onto a path and you will soon come to a fork.

(3) Turn left onto a carriageway and turn left again until you reach a path on the right. Turn onto this path, which will take you past several drystone shelters before coming out onto a larger road. Turn right and continue until you see a building with a tiled roof on your right. Leave the wide path and head towards this building, called L'Embarrade.

(4) Then return to the road you just left, on the left. Turn right and 150 metres further on, turn left towards the "Cagarotes" (snails), another drystone shelter. At the next fork, take the right-hand road. Pass in front of the drystone shelter and continue along this path. Further on, after a wide right-hand bend, you will see a small path leading off to your left.

(5) Leave the main track and take this small path that runs along the cliff. You will have a superb view of the valley with the villages of Villanière, Salsigne and Villardonnel in the distance. After a few hundred metres, you will find a slightly wider track on your right, which you should take. Walk between the dry stone walls that have been rebuilt by the association. These walls used to mark out plots of land and serve as sheep pens. After 200 metres, turn right heading due west and continue along this path until you reach a track. Turn right and continue until you come to another track on the left, which is a little overgrown with grass.

(6) Take this path to reach a wider track. Turn right and continue for about 50 metres. You will then find a new path on the left. Turn onto this path and wind your way through the heath, from one drystone shelter to another. The path climbs northwards to a large roundabout that you will already be familiar with, having passed close by on the way there.

(7) Descend to the left via a carriageway and, at the first crossroads, go up to the right. Pass under the Embarrade and turn onto a path on the left heading west. The path veers south shortly before a crossroads. At this crossroads, turn right, then right again to see another drystone shelter, before coming to a track, which you also take to the right. Fifty metres further on, turn left onto the path you took on the way there. You will come to the crossroads you passed on the way there.

(3) Turn left, heading east-southeast, and follow this path, ignoring all the paths to the left and right. You will eventually come out onto a track. Continue to the left until you reach the main road where you started.

(1) Turn left to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 167 m - There is ample parking space for cars
  2. 1 : km 0.47 - alt. 193 m - First triangle indicating drystone shelter.
  3. 2 : km 1.31 - alt. 215 m - Crossroads with information board
  4. 3 : km 1.78 - alt. 226 m - On the left on the way there and back
  5. 4 : km 2.7 - alt. 230 m - L'Embarrado for a short break
  6. 5 : km 3.29 - alt. 223 m - Watch out for the small path on the left.
  7. 6 : km 4.12 - alt. 216 m - Turn left
  8. 7 : km 4.9 - alt. 229 m - Turn left
  9. S/E : km 6.97 - alt. 166 m - Back at the car park

Notes

This circuit is quite complex as it sometimes retraces its steps, but without taking the same paths. All the paths leading to the drystone shelters are very well marked and maintained, but they are narrow and do not allow two people to walk side by side.

(4) L'Embarrade is a modern shelter designed to provide a place to rest. There is a barbecue inside and tables.

The terrain is very stony, so good footwear is essential.

This walk is in full sun for almost the entire route. Don't forget to bring water. However, it is a very windy area, which makes the route very pleasant.

Large pine trees provide shade where you can stop for a drink.

Worth a visit

You will walk among dry stone walls that have been rebuilt by the association. These walls used to mark the boundaries of plots of land and serve as enclosures for sheep.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 23 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.1 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
ferrand philippe
ferrand philippe

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a very beautiful hike where you go from one discovery to another – it is definitely worth seeing.
congratulations to the volunteers who must have devoted a lot of time to the renovation.
one small criticism is that the signposting needs to be improved
thank you for this discovery, but it's best to avoid the hottest periods of the year

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Vendinielle
Vendinielle

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A wonderful discovery thanks to this turnkey tour. Thank you very much, it was a real treat. Well done to the heritage enthusiasts.

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MartineBourdilleau
MartineBourdilleau

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We parked right at the start of the hike.
The drystone shelters come in various shapes and are very interesting to explore.
Some are harder to find than others.
A beautiful hike that we thoroughly enjoyed.
Thanks to its author.

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JLSOFF
JLSOFF

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful route, easy and pleasant.
Very good signposting.
In my opinion, best done in mid-season, May, June, late September or early October.
Recommended, even with young children.

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angeharu
angeharu

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful parish-specific to Brittany with the possibility of extending or shortening the route. Follow the pink route in reverse, passing through part of the blue route. Angel

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Eric0112
Eric0112

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A route featuring numerous magnificent drystone shelters, ideal for families.

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EvanHoorn
EvanHoorn

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Lovely walk, beautiful views of the Rieussec valley!

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jean héritier
jean héritier

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

interesting trail... it would be even more informative if there were signs indicating the names of the plants

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jn11
jn11

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 10, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The description is quite difficult to follow because you have to estimate distances. The map is also difficult to read.
In fact, all you need to do is follow the blue route of the Aribaud walls at the large sign describing the circuits, then follow the red Cagarot trail at Cagarot. When you return, take the blue route behind the Cagarot until you come back to the large sign. From there, you can descend the green trail along the heath stream until you reach the main track that leads back to the car park.
The walk is superb, with the drystone shelters all different and in very good condition. Have a good afternoon

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14gautier
14gautier

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

we had trouble finding the starting point,
but once we found it, the hike was very well marked and easy

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BAUNAT
BAUNAT

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Wonderful family hike. Very easy, no difficulty. Suitable for children aged 10/11 and above. The drystone shelters are perfectly maintained. Diverse landscapes and interesting viewpoints. A hike to enjoy with the family.

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Montréal Rando
Montréal Rando
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very interesting, enjoyable and easy hike.
Beautiful views in good weather, well-marked trail through the heath with the scent of thyme and rosemary.
These drystone shelters are all original.
A BIG THANK YOU to the volunteers from the Association, who are particularly active and have done a great job of restoring this heritage site.

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Zagazou
Zagazou

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2018
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hike completed before discovering the route on Visorando, which corresponds well to the markings on the ground. The route is easy and very interesting, with remarkable heritage sites that are very well showcased.

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cutanda
cutanda

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 18, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

:love(love)love(love)love:

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JEUDIPROM11
JEUDIPROM11

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 05, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Easy, enjoyable, beautiful 270° views in good weather (Bugarach, Pyrenees, Alaric, Malepère, etc.).
Nice when you're in good company, which unfortunately wasn't my case...

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