The Gorges de Péreille

A shaded walk through the woods along the Douctouyre with some geological explanations.

Details

38852712
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.23 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 311 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 320 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 791 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 536 m

Description of the walk

Parking is available at the side of the D310 or at Péreille d'en bas (only a few spaces).

(S/E) Head to Péreille d'en bas, passing the Croix de Péreille and an orientation board with geological explanations of the site. Beautiful view of part of the Monts d'Olmes and the gorges.

(1) In Péreille d'en bas, turn right towards the beautiful Saint-Vincent Church. Go round the cemetery on the right and head down to the left into the gorges. Read the information boards about the area’s industrial past, as well as the local flora and fauna. Join a track suitable for vehicles, where you can take a dip in the Douctouyre.

(2) Follow this track keeping the river on your right, ignore the turn-off to the hamlet of Coumescure on the left and arrive at a natural hollow.

(3) Continue for about 150 m and take a path on the left that leads into the Bois de Toni and comes to a junction.

(4) Turn right, climb a fairly steep slope despite a Yellow Cross at the start, which will then turn into a Yellow Rectangle. Walk through the undergrowth and, once you can see Péreille d’en haut, turn right to join the road, skirting the meadows.

(5) Turn left, pass a memorial to the war dead and reach Péreille d'en haut.

(6) At the entrance to the hamlet, take the small road on the right which turns into a fairly wide track and leads back to Péreille d’en bas, which you leave on your left. Follow the route back in the opposite direction to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 648 m - Parking on the side of the D310
  2. 1 : km 0.69 - alt. 612 m - Péreille from below
  3. 2 : km 2.24 - alt. 546 m - Junction with a track at the edge of the - Douctouyre (rivière) - Affluent de l'Hers-Vif
  4. 3 : km 3.32 - alt. 560 m - Natural excavation
  5. 4 : km 4.13 - alt. 680 m - Fork in the path
  6. 5 : km 5.35 - alt. 790 m - Route de Péreille
  7. 6 : km 5.88 - alt. 780 m - Péreille from above
  8. S/E : km 8.23 - alt. 647 m - Parking on the side of the D310

Notes

A very pleasant walk, though the signposting is sometimes a bit vague. However, the terrain makes it easy to find your way. Several alternative routes are possible as there are a few paths in the surrounding area.

Worth a visit

You can visit the church in summer during tours organised by the Pays d'Art et d'Histoire.
Opportunities for rock climbing and, to a limited extent, mountain biking.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
MaryS
MaryS

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

First of all, it has to be said that this is a really lovely walk, with varied scenery and views. It’s true that between points 3 and 5, the climb seemed quite long and made the route a bit of a workout (for me, at least!). But it was great.
There are several paths along the route marked with a Yellow Cross (not just one, as indicated). We too lost our way as we approached the summit, but we also enjoyed the beautiful expanse of the meadow. And thanks to GPS, we quickly found the right path again.
Just for the record, I did it with a friend. We’d arranged to meet at Péreille d’en bas. Waze guided me straight into a dead-end quarry (!), and my friend, coming from the direction of Foix, found herself on the right road, but at the Raissac exit, she was blocked by roadworks! In the end, we parked by the D310 in Raissac, which added a kilometre (or two?!) to the route. And indeed, the car park up there is a bit limited
All in all, it’s a walk worth recommending

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BARRABES
BARRABES

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 01, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike, with no difficulty in following the route. After point 3 to point 5, the climb through the woods is very long. At the start of the trail, ignore the yellow cross marker, as the path is clearly marked in yellow thereafter. At Péreille le Haut, head to the heights of the hamlet at an altitude of 802 metres near the antenna to admire the many peaks of the Pyrenees. To return to the car park, follow the trail marked Péreille le Bas 2 km / 0h20.

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libellule1452
libellule1452

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Plenty of trails available... beautiful snowy views!

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frederic.seguy@wanadoo.fr
frederic.seguy@wanadoo.fr

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A pleasant and easy walk, with lovely views in the upper section

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Bouconne VTT
Bouconne VTT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short hike to kick off the season. Really lovely.
A few magnificent views now and then of the Monts d'Olmes range. And beautiful scenery in general.
First part of the walk along the river... and after that, the climb...
Actually, when you reach the summit, it’s a bit of a struggle to find the path in the middle of the meadow and there’s not much to go by. The GPS was a great help at this point.

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Thierrybgu
Thierrybgu

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant walk, with some lovely views.

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