Oppidum of Berniquaut and Saint-Jammes Chapel

On the western edge of the Montagne Noire, this hike harmoniously combines historical remains and beautiful views. The Oppidum de Berniquaut, the excavations of medieval dwellings on the same site, a large standing stone with cup marks and the ruins of the Chapelle Saint-Jammes de Besauceles will delight history enthusiasts. Lovers of beautiful landscapes will also find something to satisfy them on this route, which overlooks the Sorèze plain from a height of over 300 metres.

Details

1079693
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.57 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,621 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,608 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,277 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 889 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Enter Sorèze via the D85 and continue to the roundabout opposite the Super U supermarket. Then turn right (if coming from Revel) or left (if coming from Dourgne) to park in the large car park after passing a second small roundabout.

__YellowPR®® signposting

(S/E) Head towards the car park entrance and, at the small roundabout, turn left, following the direction of two hiking signs pointing towards the Oppidum de Berniquaut and Durfort. Pass a stained-glass and mosaic workshop on your right and continue along the small, shaded road, ignoring the various paths branching off to the right.

(1) At the junction (with a ‘no through road’ sign straight ahead about 20 metres away), turn left onto the Chemin de l’Oppidum, a small tarmacked road which climbs steeply and becomes unpaved at the last house.

Then follow the wide, partly gravelled track as it winds round several bends, ignoring a first wide grassy path on the left and then a second, narrower one, also on the left. You will reach the information board about the Berniquaut Oppidum.

(2) After reading this highly informative and well-researched sign, continue along the track which leads out of the woods and opens onto a vast grassy area offering a beautiful view over the Sor and Durfort valleys. Turn left at a 90° angle to the path and head towards another large information board about the village and the Dufort site, with the summit of the Berniquaut rock in sight.

The path narrows to a track and the gradient steepens considerably. Use your hands to help you cross a few smooth slabs – which present no difficulty – to reach a second viewpoint overlooking the Sorèze plain and the Saint-Ferréol reservoir. Continue to the paragliding take-off area, marked by two wind socks (bench).

(3) Continue along the signposted path which follows a ridge that is by turns wooded and open, offering fine views of the Sor valley to the right and a large quarry to the left, where a constant hum attests to the intense activity.

No signposting

(4) At the junction marked by several directional signs, head left and pass two further signs for the Oppidum de Berniquaut and the Montagne Noire. Follow the narrow path leading to the archaeological site, which showcases a number of medieval dwellings.

(5) Turn back.

YellowPR®® signposting

(4) Now head straight on along the path which, at a small clearing, gives way to a wide, partly paved slanting street leading to a second, larger clearing where there is a crossroads.

(6) Ignore the path on the right which descends towards Durfort; continue straight ahead for about ten metres, then turn right, leaving the wide path which continues straight on (take care not to miss this junction).

You’ll soon reach another sign providing information about the ridge path you’re following – an ancient trade route linking the Mediterranean to the Atlantic – as well as about the large standing stone (Peyra Ficada) on the left, adorned with numerous cup marks. Continue straight on through the woodland until you come out onto a wide track.

(7) Carry on straight ahead. About fifty metres further on, leave this track and take a narrower path on the right. This path alternates between sections through woodland and more open areas, and becomes overgrown in places due to regrowth. Ignore a wide track coming from the left. Shortly afterwards, you’ll emerge onto the track leading to the houses at Jacournassy; leave these on your right and carry straight on until you reach a tarmac road (with a small pond below on the left).

No signposting

(8) Go straight on and continue to the junction with the road leading to Le Montagnet (a fine, rather rusty iron cross).

YellowPR®® signposting

(9) Turn left, leaving the tarmac road to take a wide track lined with remarkable trees for the first few hundred metres. Carry on straight ahead, heading north-east then east, ignoring a track on the right closed off by a gate. At the next junction (elevation 687), go straight on to join the D45.

(10) Turn left and walk carefully along this road, making the most of the left-hand verge where the grass has been mown. At the start of a very slight left-hand bend, cross the road and take a wide, shaded path on the right (blocked by a chain and rutted due to timber hauling – as at July 2018), following the signpost indicating the site of Saint-Jammes and its centuries-old beech tree. Cross the meadow and head towards the beech tree and the ruins of the chapel.

(11) After taking in the site (new information board), with your back to the chapel, head off to the right and enter the pine wood; you’ll soon come out onto a wide, recently resurfaced track suitable for vehicles.

Yellow markings

Turn right and follow the track, ignoring two turnings on the right. Pass between two ONF signs to reach a 90° right-hand bend (picnic table) near the wooden hut grandly named ‘Relais de Trinquebise’ on the IGN map, which can be seen on the left beneath the trees. Continue to the right, ignoring the grassy track that heads straight ahead, until you reach a large crossroads.

(12) Turn left at a right angle and, at a sharp bend to the right (elevation 641), leave this track to head straight on along a wide, partly overgrown path. At the junction about a hundred metres further on, ignore the paths and tracks on either side and continue straight ahead downhill to a junction opposite an old entrance gate to the quarry.

13:: Ignore the track suitable for vehicles on the right, walk a few metres and, at a red ‘Private Property’ sign, take the small tarmac road on the right, which slopes gently downwards, following the sign for ‘Access to Calel Cave’.
Follow this road, which further on gives way to a wide, sunken track running alongside the quarry fence on your left. Cross a footbridge and head left towards an information sign about the Calel Cave, a former iron-mining site from the Middle Ages.

(14) Once you’ve had a look at the sign (if you wish), head right to enter the large sinkhole which marks the location of part of the mine site; cross it and emerge by following a narrow, winding path which soon opens out onto a wide track. Turn left and head due west to reach the orientation table and the viewpoint.

(15) Set off again north-west, but slightly north of the path you took to the viewpoint, heading towards a large information board on the Causse de Sorèze Karst Discovery Trail near a small metal gate.

Turn left to pass through the gate and follow the narrower path that winds its way through the box trees. Walk down this rather steep path, taking care to close any metal gates you come across. You’ll reach Sorèze at the cemetery (recycling bins on the left).

(16) Turn left onto the road (D45) and walk alongside it, taking the usual precautions as there are no safety barriers. Pass the first road on the right (Rue Felix Borrel) and take the next one on the right, which is blocked by a chain. This street (Chemin du Tour du Parc on the map) will approach the Ruisseau d’Orival and then run alongside it.

After passing a wash house and directly opposite Rue Saint-Martin, turn left onto the footbridge that crosses the stream to return to the starting car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 899 ft - Car park near the Super U
  2. 1 : mi 0.35 - alt. 955 ft - Junction, turn left
  3. 2 : mi 1.57 - alt. 1,568 ft - Information board
  4. 3 : mi 1.87 - alt. 1,844 ft - Berniquaut Rock, paragliding launch site
  5. 4 : mi 2.04 - alt. 1,768 ft - Junction, numerous directional signs
  6. 5 : mi 2.18 - alt. 1,768 ft - Archaeological excavation site
  7. 6 : mi 2.57 - alt. 1,772 ft - Clearing; go straight ahead, then immediately turn right
  8. 7 : mi 3.05 - alt. 2,011 ft - Junction with the track, straight ahead
  9. 8 : mi 3.66 - alt. 2,116 ft - Tarmac road, straight ahead
  10. 9 : mi 4.4 - alt. 2,169 ft - Junction, turn left
  11. 10 : mi 5.54 - alt. 2,257 ft - D45, on the left
  12. 11 : mi 5.85 - alt. 2,277 ft - Chapel of Saint-Jammes and a beech tree several centuries old
  13. 12 : mi 6.46 - alt. 2,234 ft - Crossroads, turn left
  14. 13 : mi 7.2 - alt. 1,831 ft - Junction – metal gate, road on the right
  15. 14 : mi 7.93 - alt. 1,736 ft - Information board for the Calel Cave
  16. 15 : mi 8.1 - alt. 1,762 ft - Orientation board, viewpoint
  17. 16 : mi 9.08 - alt. 951 ft - Cemetery, on the left
  18. S/E : mi 9.57 - alt. 899 ft - Car park near the Super U

Notes

Markings:
The yellowPR®® markings vary in quality and density. Very recent and clearly visible up to (6), they become more faded and less obvious between (7) and (9). Finally, on other sections of the route, the yellow markings are facing the wrong way and are more difficult to spot. This is why it is advisable to follow the attached route description carefully.

Water point and toilets at the start.

Worth a visit

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

4.7 / 5
Based on 43 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Randonneur31
Randonneur31

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful views from the oppidum and the Sorèze plateau; much of the route follows a forest track, which keeps you in the shade.
The 450-year-old beech tree is impressive. Plenty of blackberries along the path on the way down
An easy path to follow and not very busy for a Sunday.

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Merrick
Merrick

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent walk with varied scenery; best done on overcast days, as many sections don’t offer much shade. No major difficulties; the view from the oppidum is magnificent.
Please be aware that there are quite a few mountain bikers at times, hurtling down the slopes at speed.

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STRIDULE
STRIDULE

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Light signage but easy to follow route. Beautiful views of Sorèze, Lauragais and the Pyrenees. Shaded paths lined with beautiful trees.

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Louteva
Louteva

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk but lots of forest, few views, apart from at the oppidum and before the descent to Sorèze.
The last climb to the oppidum is very nice, but be careful, you need to use your hands (it's slippery in winter). Then, between the oppidum and the chapel, it's just forest paths and roads that are more or less paved (I may have missed a path parallel to the road between 6 and 8, as I was just following the trail without reading the description). Be careful at Plot du Palet, where two dogs came up to me to let me know they weren't too happy about my presence, but they eventually let me go after sniffing me a couple of times.
I suggest going through the centre of Sorèze to get to the car park.

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SERGE 24
SERGE 24

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

All morning, the fog kept us wet and hid most of the views, but we'll come back when the weather is better. No navigation issues, but between points 2 and 3, you need to use your hands as there are some large, slippery rocks.
We had lunch at La Chapelle at the foot of the beech tree. The return trip went well, but it was slippery in the damp weather.
A beautiful hike to do in windless, fine weather.

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hcrando
hcrando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike with magnificent views on both sides of the ridge. No problem following the trail. The strong wind on this particular day made walking at the summit difficult. On the way back, there is a fairly steep descent that should be avoided after rain.

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Barric31
Barric31

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent views to discover.
A beautiful walk, moderate difficulty.

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Roroboubou
Roroboubou

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The explanations are too long and too numerous. In trying to be too thorough, the author has unfortunately gone overboard. It's a shame. Thank you anyway for this hiking suggestion.

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jeanmarie.chopin
jeanmarie.chopin
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very interesting and enjoyable hiking trail, both for the beauty of the scenery at several points along the way – magnificent rows of enormous beech trees at point 9, the view from the Pic de l'Oppidum (luckily the clouds cleared just before we reached the top) – and, above all, for the great cultural interest throughout the route: long stops at the Oppidum and the Calel cave, lunch at the Saint James chapel (10°C) with its splendid beech tree. We finished the circuit by crossing the heart of Sorèze.
It should be noted that several information panels had unfortunately been removed from their frames, probably for repair or updating (it's a shame this wasn't done in the middle of winter rather than during the long Pentecost/spring weekend! Thank you to the internet for the explanations, thanks to the links mentioned at the end of this Visorando guide!
This weekend, a French caving federation congress brought together hundreds of participants at the Abbaye school and around the Calel cave (for explorations in caving gear). But we didn't meet or come across anyone outside these areas on the circuit (just two joggers on this "long weekend"). Hence my estimate of "low attendance".
I mentioned low attendance

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Sylvie Molinier
Sylvie Molinier

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant walking route, both culturally, with medieval and prehistoric remains, and in terms of scenery, with magnificent views over the Soreze valley.
At the end, we entered Soreze, which the trail circles around and is well worth a visit: half-timbered houses, a church and an abbey school.
We did it in 5 hours, including a lunch break and stops to take photos
I highly recommend it!

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Chazoul
Chazoul

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
Great hike with lots to discover.
A small note for point 7: do not take the path that branches off to the right; stay on the dirt track after the information sign.
Otherwise, you'll end up at the Roquefort tower and have to walk a few extra kilometres with additional elevation gain

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lausseljm
lausseljm

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Avoid hiking in strong winds (the ridges are very exposed) and in wet weather (the ground can be slippery).

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Boyals
Boyals

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, with a great variety of paths and landscapes. There is a lot of cultural interest and some stunning views.
The only downside is that at point 12, the yellow markings have disappeared, probably due to trees being cut down, but the map is accurate and GPS helps.

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jeapau
jeapau

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful route, both in terms of the itinerary and the historical interest (well documented), with little tarmac and very little traffic
The description is very accurate, but the signposting is very basic, so a GPS or at least a map is essential
It is regrettable that hunters have targeted and destroyed the magnificent map on the signpost at the Trinquebise relay station!
For information, the entire route was completed with no sections closed on 17/03/2024
Enjoy the hike, everyone!

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Marinepauly
Marinepauly

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, this is a very beautiful hike, with stunning views from the top of the mountains. However, it is difficult, quite physically demanding (long climb) and in rainy weather, it can be quite slippery.

On 28 December, a municipal by-law was passed following rockfalls, which removes a large section of the hike (from the Route de la Bessie and all along the mountains): by-law 2023-12-29-01 of the municipality of PAMPELONNE.

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