Sals (rivière) - Affluent de l'Aude walks

In Sougraigne, in the heart of the Hautes Corbières, springs the Sals, a saltwater spring which has long attracted the attention of neighbouring communities. Today, the Salicorne association brings together the surrounding villages around a shared project. It invites you to discover this unique site, once frequented by a variety of tradespeople: glassmakers, jet miners, charcoal burners, woodcutters, shepherds, pedlars and, of course, smugglers and customs officers from the Ferme Générale hot on their heels.

A very pleasant hike, but best avoided in summer. Beautiful views of Bugarach and the Corbières. Along the route, you can see the site of the old glass furnaces and taste the saltwater spring. The hike is classified as difficult because you need to know how to find your way, read a map and/or follow the GPS track. The GPS track and map are almost essential as there are many paths and the trails are not always well marked.

Departure from Couiza and its 16th-century Château des Ducs de Joyeuse. You will wind your way along paths lined with dry stone walls and several drystone shelters, passing through the villages of Cassaignes and Coustoussa with its ruined castle. This trail takes you to the heights of Montaut and Les Planèses, where you can admire the peaks of Pic de Bugarach, Brau and the Pyrenees. There are alternative routes and you can start from Cassaignes or Coustoussa.

Part of the route is through woodland. 360° view from the summit of Pech Cardou. At the end of the hike, you can take a dip in the natural hot springs.

A lovely circular discovery walk. A GPX track is required. Although there are various markings and signposts, these do not necessarily correspond to this circular route; furthermore, the IGN base map does not always match the actual terrain.

A circular route starting from Rennes-les-Bains to climb up to Pech Cardou. Can be done in the suggested direction or in reverse, starting from either Rennes-les-Bains or Serres.Please note: there is no IGN route map for the Pech Cardou area. You must follow the directions provided.⚠️ Following a comment on 20 July 2026. Reminder ==> follow the OSM base map and the suggested GPX track, which is essential. A concrete marker indicates the route of the Méridienne Verte at the foot of the listed bridge at Serres sur Le Rialsesse.Yellow markings are fairly common, but watch out for various changes in direction ==> various directional posts which do not necessarily relate to the proposed walk.Allow 5 hours for the walk.