Notre Dame du Carla

This hike, a little longer than Charlemagne's buttocks, takes you to a chapel and a viewpoint overlooking the surrounding area, all surrounded by wild vegetation.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.63 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 281 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 292 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 321 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 116 m

Photos

Description of the walk

There are several car parks in Lagrasse, the closest to the start is P2, near the gendarmerie.

(S/E) From the gendarmerie, take the main road towards the bridge over the Orbieu. Cross the bridge, taking care to admire the old bridge on your left.

Yellow and red and white markings

(1) At the intersection shortly after the bridge, leave the road and take the path that climbs into the forest, between the hiking signs. The trail climbs up the ridge in the forest. There is not much of a view on this section.

(2) Passing close to a dry stone building, the path becomes flatter and the view opens up a little more onto the surrounding countryside. Continue along this good path for another kilometre.

(3) At the T-junction, turn right onto the track.

Yellow markings

(4) At the intersection of five paths, turn right, leave theGR® and continue on this good path for about 600 metres.

(5) At the cairn, leave the road and take a small path that goes right into the vegetation. Follow this path, which goes close to the edge of the cliffs and continues until you reach a wide track.

(6) Take this wide track on the right to reach Notre-Dame du Carla after 300 metres.

(7) Once you reach Notre-Dame du Carla, you can walk around it and climb up to the cross to enjoy a view of the Sou valley. Return to the intersection where you found the wide track you are following.

(6) Continue right on this track for one kilometre before rejoining theGR® trail, which follows a track. Take it on the left for 500 metres.

(8) At the next intersection, turn right onto the track, continuing to follow theGR® markings and passing a well. At Lauza, turn left onto a good track covered by a tunnel of vegetation.
Reach the intersection you passed on the way there.

(4) Take the same track as on the way there until you reach the crossroads.

(3) Leave theGR® trail, which branches off to the left, and continue down the track. After a few dozen metres, you can cut the bends by taking a small, fairly steep path on the right, which will join the track further down.

Follow the track around two hairpin bends and continue down the hillside. Enjoy the view of the village and Lagrasse Abbey throughout the descent. Pass between olive groves and vineyards.

(9) Continue straight ahead at the junction with the D41. You are now on a paved road. Enter the village of Lagrasse and pass close to the abbey. The public part of the abbey is open to visitors.

(10) Follow the D41 to the old bridge and turn right. Continue straight ahead to cross the village and reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 127 m - Parking in front of the gendarmerie.
  2. 1 : km 0.26 - alt. 126 m - At the intersection, leave the road.
  3. 2 : km 1.31 - alt. 272 m - Dry stone construction
  4. 3 : km 2.18 - alt. 288 m - T-junction
  5. 4 : km 2.57 - alt. 306 m - Crossroads of 5 paths
  6. 5 : km 3.17 - alt. 318 m - Fork in the path/cairn
  7. 6 : km 4.17 - alt. 248 m - Return trip to Notre Dame du Carla
  8. 7 : km 4.43 - alt. 255 m - Notre Dame du Carla/shelters
  9. 8 : km 5.96 - alt. 316 m - intersection
  10. 9 : km 9.84 - alt. 142 m - Intersection
  11. 10 : km 10.27 - alt. 124 m - Abbaye Sainte Marie
  12. S/E : km 10.63 - alt. 125 m - Parking in front of the gendarmerie.

Practical information

The entire hike is marked in yellow.
There is a shelter for hikers at Notre-Dame du Carla.
There is a well just before reaching Lauza.

In the nearby area

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

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

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 65 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
hc31
hc31
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant route with beautiful views of Lagrasse and the Orbieu Valley. Probably best avoided in very hot weather as many sections of the path are stony.

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Falka34
Falka34

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Walk made on Friday 30 May 2025
Very pleasant walk, despite the steep start. Beautiful scenery. There is a spring with fresh water at ND de Carla and a well on the way back which we enjoyed. A rope and a bucket allow you to take water.
But be careful, all the car parks in LAGRASSE have a charge of €4 per day. No tickets or credit cards.

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emico63
emico63

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A lovely, easy walk that we enjoy doing every year.
The return trip along the forest track is a bit monotonous, but the view of the abbey and the village at the end is very beautiful.
After the hike, the village is worth a visit, as is the vinegar factory.

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BABOT François
BABOT François

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Pleasant route but the return journey was a bit monotonous.

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framboisejardin
framboisejardin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We loved the view from the chapel and especially from the cross above it.
An easy route ending in front of Lagrasse Abbey.

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zenitude66
zenitude66

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Hello,
Thank you for this beautiful hike, lots of very interesting sights and magnificent scenery.

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Fréolma
Fréolma

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

The group (11 people) I guided on this hiking trail came back delighted. The little chapel of Notre Dame du Carla is well worth the effort of the initial climb, and as for the scenery and the view of Lagrasse Abbey, you'll want to pitch your tent there and stay longer to enjoy it.

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Paul h
Paul h

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

very pleasant

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alphabet
alphabet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very pleasant outing, beautiful scenery.

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Ddr 11
Ddr 11

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Approximately 30 minutes of climbing at the start of the hike. Then a fairly easy and well-marked trail.

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annefinot
annefinot

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Superb walk!
Not much shade, so be careful in summer 😉
A spring at Notre Dame de Carla allows you to refill your water bottle.

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philippe ferrez
philippe ferrez

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A lovely short hike, ideal for exploring the area around St Chinian.

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Marcheur solitaire
Marcheur solitaire

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Hello,
It's a very beautiful hike, well described, practically all on the path, or even the trail.
It's a shame we couldn't see inside Notre Dame de Carla, even if only through a window.
through a window. We extended this walk by 1.5 km to visit the beautiful village of Lagrasse.
It's a fairly easy walk, and you quickly forget the short steep climb at the start.

Best regards

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le Gaulois d'Oc
le Gaulois d'Oc
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Superb short hike, sunny, 23°C.
A short steep climb at the start, but nothing too challenging!
A bit windy at times (normal for the Aude region).
Pleasant scenery, with flora and fauna beginning to wake up.
Notre Dame de Carla is magnificent.
Very nicely renovated.
Don't miss it, it would be a shame
I highly recommend this hike.
Walking tour of the village with a tasting stop at the vinegar factory.

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Servianés
Servianés

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

A relatively easy route, whose main attraction is the views of the village of Lagrasse.

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