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
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.02 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 545 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 551 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,493 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,148 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Hounoux (11240)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.128917° / E 2.00155°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2246E, 2246O
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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 crossroads, take the path on the right called Chemin des Cathares. The first information 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 line.

(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 metres. Turn left at thesecond road at the old oak tree, towards Raffégue for about 600 metres.

(8) Take the path on the right and descend into the valley.

(9) Cross the Vixiège 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 where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,375 ft - Town hall car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.06 - alt. 1,335 ft - RD 263 to the left
  3. 2 : mi 0.13 - alt. 1,302 ft - Fork in the road at the cross
  4. 3 : mi 0.71 - alt. 1,253 ft - Road junction
  5. 4 : mi 1.54 - alt. 1,480 ft - Crossroads
  6. 5 : mi 2.41 - alt. 1,440 ft - Leave the GR trails. Gravel track on the right.
  7. 6 : mi 2.94 - alt. 1,394 ft - Junction with tarmac road
  8. 7 : mi 3.22 - alt. 1,381 ft - RD 763 to the right
  9. 8 : mi 3.8 - alt. 1,309 ft - Dirt track on the right
  10. 9 : mi 4.25 - alt. 1,148 ft - Vixiège (rivière) - Affluent de l'Hers-Vif
  11. S/E : mi 5.02 - alt. 1,375 ft - 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 22 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

Hello,

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

Kind regards

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Jocel349
Jocel349

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A hike we did as a group of three, with a view to suggesting it to members for a slightly windy afternoon outing. Easy to follow, good route description; lovely views. A bit of tarmac towards the end, but only for a short distance. I’ll be able to do it with a group. Thanks to the Coeur des Collines Cathares Tourist Office.

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OT Cœur des Collines Cathares
OT Cœur des Collines Cathares

Hello,

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

Kind regards

Machine-translated

Frala
Frala

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 20, 2026
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We walked this trail on a longer route (15 km) than the one suggested by the tourist office, on a very sunny day. It was a real treat, with views of the snow-capped Pyrenees throughout the route. Quaint, peaceful villages and countryside dotted with mountain pastures. Just one minor drawback: the themed information boards along the route aren’t always very visible and are a bit overloaded with details (a view shared by several people in the group).

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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

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

Machine-translated

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

Machine-translated

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

Machine-translated

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

Machine-translated

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

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.