Hounoux ridge trail

de fr

On the ridge line that marks the watershed between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, there is a fascinating interpretive trail on the geology and formation of these rolling landscapes of Razès, Lauragais and the foothills of the Pyrenees.

Yellow + yellow and red markings for the section on theGR®®78

Details

n°11684437
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.07 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 166 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 168 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 455 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 350 m
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Photos

Panorama
Panoramic view of the Razes
SENTIER DES CRÊTES, HOUNOUX
SENTIER DES CRÊTES, HOUNOUX

Description of the walk

Park in the town hall car park.

(S/E) From the town hall car park, follow theGR®®7andGR®®78(red and white markings), go down Rue du Donjon (the town hall was built on the site of the former medieval castle), first stop at the hikers' picnic area with the welcome sign for the Interpretation Trail, in front of a superb panorama. Then continue down Rue du Donjon.

(1) At the bottom, turn left onto the RD 263 and cross the bridge.

(2) At the cross, take the path on the right called Chemin des Cathares. The first interpretive panel is on your left, slightly off the path. Then continue along the ridge, following the red and white markings.

(3) At the junction with a small road, go straight up and continue straight ahead at the entrance to the woods. At the top, after leaving the woods, leave the path for 100 metres and cross a small meadow to see thesecond sign installed in front of a superb panorama of the Razès.

(4) At the crossroads, turn right, still following the red and white markings, then continue straight ahead to stay on the ridge.

(5) Leave theGR®®7andGR®®78markings. At the end of the dirt track, bear right to climb the stony track that joins a tarmac road.

(6) At the road, continue straight ahead until you reach the D763.

(7) Turn right and follow it for about 300 m. Turn left at thesecond road at the old oak tree, towards Raffégue for about 600 m.

(8) Take the path on the right, descend into the valley, cross the Vixiège stream and continue straight up to the village of Hounoux. In the village, follow Rue du Seigneur d'Hounoux towards the church and town hall to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 419 m - Town hall car park
  2. 1 : km 0.1 - alt. 407 m - RD 263 to the left
  3. 2 : km 0.21 - alt. 397 m - Fork in the road at the cross
  4. 3 : km 1.15 - alt. 382 m - Road junction
  5. 4 : km 2.48 - alt. 451 m - Crossroads
  6. 5 : km 3.88 - alt. 439 m - Leave the GR trails. Gravel track on the right
  7. 6 : km 4.73 - alt. 425 m - Junction with tarmac road
  8. 7 : km 5.18 - alt. 421 m - RD 763 to the right
  9. 8 : km 6.11 - alt. 399 m - Dirt track on the right
  10. S/E : km 8.07 - alt. 419 m - Town hall car park

Notes

At the start: picnic table, information and landscape interpretation panels.

Next to the town hall: public toilets and water point.

Worth a visit

eight information panels along the route explain the origins of these landscapes and the geological phenomena that led to the division of the waters and the creation of agricultural land.

 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.

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Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 20 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
OT Cœur des Collines Cathares
OT Cœur des Collines Cathares

Thank you for your feedback and sharing your experience. We look forward to seeing you again on our hiking trails

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C.Rivière
C.Rivière

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant trail. Avoid after heavy rain.

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OT Cœur des Collines Cathares
OT Cœur des Collines Cathares

Thank you for your feedback and sharing your experience. We look forward to seeing you again on our hiking trails

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asker
asker

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A short, easy hike with great views almost the entire way. Watch out for mud in wet weather and the lack of shade in summer. Excellent signposting.

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OT Cœur des Collines Cathares
OT Cœur des Collines Cathares

Thank you for your feedback and sharing your experience. We look forward to seeing you again on our hiking trails

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Montmaur Découverte Rando
Montmaur Découverte Rando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on 17/02/2025.
Easy route, very well marked, magnificent views of the Pyrenees and La Piège.
A very pleasant walk.
Thank you to the trail markers!

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OT Cœur des Collines Cathares
OT Cœur des Collines Cathares

Thank you for your feedback and sharing your experience. We look forward to seeing you again on our hiking trails

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vivi 31
vivi 31

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very well marked trail with explanatory signs about the geology. A very good walk despite the overcast weather that day.

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OT Cœur des Collines Cathares
OT Cœur des Collines Cathares

Thank you for your feedback and sharing your experience. We look forward to seeing you again on our hiking trails

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ksagro1968
ksagro1968

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No


an easy hike on trails, with a few muddy sections and a stretch on a quiet paved road. Numerous information panels explain the landscape, the views, the natural environment, and general information about the geology.
a pleasant hike, but unfortunately the sky was not clear enough to enjoy what must be magnificent scenery!

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OT Cœur des Collines Cathares
OT Cœur des Collines Cathares

Thank you for your feedback and sharing your experience. We look forward to seeing you again on our hiking trails

Machine-translated

JF31
JF31

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Easy hike without any major difficulties. Beautiful panoramic views at the start of the hike. The end of the hike is less attractive. The hike is aptly named, as we are practically on ridge paths the entire time. There are numerous explanatory panels about the geology, which are very well done. It's a shame that the comments don't always match the location where they are placed. The small village of Hounoux (which is not medieval) has a lot of charm and a real desire to showcase its small heritage. In short, a good time a little out of time!

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JT-BM
JT-BM

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We did this hike as a couple and found it very peaceful and rejuvenating. The hike is very well marked, with clear signposts so you can't go wrong or get lost. We found it easy. We loved the views and thought the trail was very well maintained!
For your information, we would like to point out that towards the end of the hike we saw a sheep pen 🐑, but unfortunately there were no signs indicating that there was a herding dog (a Patou). We found this unfortunate because we were approaching what he was guarding and he could have taken this as a threat. One piece of advice that has already been given in the information section and works well is not to look at it, but to continue on your way as normal, without running.
Happy hiking, everyone!

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OT Cœur des Collines Cathares
OT Cœur des Collines Cathares

Hello,

Thank you for your feedback.
The Crêtes trail in Hounoux offers views of the Pyrenees throughout the hike.

We look forward to seeing you again on our hiking trails
Kind regards

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Tannier
Tannier

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, easy loop with interesting information boards. The first part offers stunning views of the Pyrenees (Bugarach and Saint Barthélémy), while the second part is less spectacular, partly along a small road, but the Razes countryside remains beautiful, especially the sunflower fields. Not much shade. Ideally, I suppose, to be done on a beautiful winter's day. Precise and easy-to-follow description. Picnic area at the start (or finish).

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