Saint-Frichoux walks

A lovely 8.5 km walk through heath and pine forest, or along one of the canals of the former, now-dry Marseillette pond.

In the Laure-Minervois area, drystone shelters known as capitelles bear witness to the history and work of the rural world. This route, marked in yellow, will take you to around thirty capitelles that have been restored by the villagers.

Discover part of the dried-up Marseillette lake, where orchards, vineyards and rice fields are cultivated, and its freshwater supply.

More of a stroll than a hike, this outing is ideal for families looking to get some fresh air. Although the banks of the canal have lost some of their charm (many plane trees have been lost), there are still two locks to discover, including the Aiguille lock with its unusual sculptor.

You'll be amazed by the well-preserved state of the Visigoths' tombs found along the way. You can explore the cemetery, made up of fifteen or so graves, at the corner of a path in the middle of shrub land.

If you enjoy walking among junipers, gorse and rockroses on a very stony but not particularly difficult path, you will love this short hike, which will take you to the quarry where the red marble columns of the Palace of Versailles were quarried.

The first half of this walk takes place in the Argent Double valley, the second half in the Cros valley, following parallel paths on a roughly south-north axis, allowing you to discover different tree species and the geological diversity of this very dry limestone massif.

This very short walk for the whole family takes in a boat harbour, a spillway, a canal bridge, a boatman's stop, an aqueduct, a beautiful dairy farm and a small lake where you can fish for trout. A wealth of discoveries!

From Lac de Barbaira, the route descends into the great Alaric fault towards the ruins of Saint-Jean Priory. The return route crosses the cliffs to reach the highest point at Cachoche, which offers a beautiful view of the Pyrenees, notably the Pic du Canigou. Above the cliffs, the route crosses a plateau that is covered in flowers in spring. The descent on the north side offers a beautiful view of Capendu.

From Notre-Dame du Cros (Caunes-Minervois), a route takes you to former marble quarries, with a picnic stop at the renovated Ventajou refuge, near the ruins of the castle of the old village that has disappeared. On the way back, you pass by the Moulin de Biot, a former witness to a technique of using wind energy for sawing marble. Warning from the author of the route in the "practical information" tab (2/11/2021)

Amidst vineyards and pine forests, discover works of art all along the trail.

In Villegly, a beautifully restored windmill offers a stunning view, and a ford sometimes allows you to step back in time to when there weren't as many bridges as there are today. All this is set against a backdrop of vineyards and heaths.

Starting from Félines-Minervois, this hike leads primarily to the ruins of Ventajou, which offer a magnificent view of the Corbières and the Pyrenees. But there are many other places of interest along the route: the pretty hamlet of Auberadou, the Planette dolmen, the stone apiaries and the old marble quarries of Planette, Castillou and Escaliers, a cistern carved into the rock, not to mention the Cubitus Cave, which is worth a short detour. Finally, a walk through a magnificent pine forest filled with wonderful scents will bring this journey to a harmonious conclusion.

A magnificent hike in the hills above Féline-Minervois. Our footsteps echo on the marble that lies just below the surface of the heath. Sumptuous views of the Minervois. And medieval ruins to admire.

Many points of interest along the route: arboretum, lime kilns, dolmen, legend, remarkable tree...

This hike, partly off the marked trails, allows you to see the hamlet of Biot, its quarry and its mill. As you pass the marble quarries (you will cross four during the hike), you will understand the titanic work carried out by our ancestors during the last century. The hike ends with a long, safe cliff-top path offering spectacular views of the Minervois plain and, beyond, the Corbières massif. In good weather, you can see the Pyrenees in the distance.

This hike offers a variety of landscapes and trails in the Félines-Minervois marble quarry area. The passage along trails that we have recently opened up allows you to discover places that are little known or unknown.

Superb panoramic views with, on clear days, a view of the Pyrenees mountains as a bonus.

A circular route around the central part of the Alaric massif with beautiful panoramic views of the Corbières and the Pyrenees from the high points. The circular route starts on tarmac, then runs alongside the Corbières vineyards and finally follows the GR®36 trail along the limestone ridges. Feast your eyes!

This is a great walk in the heart of the Alaric massif, where you can explore deep valleys and forests of holm oaks and Austrian black pines. Legend has it that the Visigoth king Alaric, passing through the region, gave the mountain its name, and some say that his treasure is hidden here. A trip to the summit offers views of the entire Aude plain, the Corbières, the Eastern Pyrenees and the Mediterranean Sea if the weather is clear enough.

A beautiful circular route around Alaric, along ridges and valleys from north to south, offering views of the Montagne Noire, the Aude valley from Carcassonne to Lezignan, and the Corbières Massif with the Pyrenees in the background, surrounded by vegetation including thyme, rosemary, boxwood, pine and lavender. Very quiet paths.

This is a challenging hike on beautiful trails to reach the Signal de l'Alaric, the highest point of the eponymous mountain range, where the view is breathtaking – literally for hikers who do the circular loop in the opposite direction.The descent that follows is challenging, over rocky terrain, with the last kilometre at a gradient of over 20% and permanent views of the Pyrenees and Corbières mountain ranges.The end, which is more relaxing but mostly on tarmac, simply completes the circular. The final variant, which is a little longer, reduces the amount of tarmac.

Hike in the Montagne d'Alaric with numerous viewpoints over the Montagne Noire and the Pyrenees on a clear day. Pass by the bénitiers (rocks), the ruins of Miramont Castle and the Priory of Saint-Jean.

At the gates of Carcassonne, the Montagne d'Alaric offers a superb viewpoint over the Pyrenees and the Aude plain. The ruins of the priories of Saint-Pierre d'Alaric and Saint-Michel de Nahuze, as well as those of the Métairie de Vidal, encourage us to reflect on the history of this mountain and the life that must have once animated it. Finally, the return journey through the vineyards of the Corbières region is an invitation to end this day's walk with a well-deserved wine tasting.

A challenging hike, with no major difficulties, apart from the total lack of signposting or, frequently, numerous signs that contradict this route. The route follows deeply rutted paths, with loose gravel underfoot. The start crosses a pine forest devastated by fire, but after that it’s pure joy through dense vegetation, consisting of pines, holm oaks, boxwoods, junipers, kade trees, and the full range of Mediterranean plants – a feast of scents. Avoid doing this in summer or after a storm.

From the village of Monze, looking south-west, you cannot miss the ruins of the Matelbine Tower, perched on its wooded promontory. Through vineyards and pine woods, this hike first leads to a small lake with a picnic area before continuing on to the tower. Finally, the return to Monze offers unobstructed views of the Bretonne valley, where vineyards and cypress hedges create a beautiful scene.

This hike in the Cabardès initially follows the ‘path of remembrance’ leading to the Grotte du Maquis de Trassanel, infamous for the number of Resistance fighters killed there by the occupying forces on 8 August 1944. On a lighter note, the route continues past the two remarkable viewpoints of Roc d’Agnel and Roc de l’Aigle before returning along the ridges, crossing a Natura 2000 protected area. A harmonious blend of history and unspoilt nature on the borders of the Montagne Noire and the Minervois. Several informative panels, rich in insights into the area’s geology and biosphere, are well worth a closer look.