Following the footsteps of the Visigoths in Villarzel-Cabardès

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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.

Details

n°211357
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.83 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 95 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 96 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 224 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 143 m
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Photos

The chapel
chessboard
After the château de Villarlong, take the path on the right to reach the church.
The ruined church of the Poor Clares

Description of the walk

(S/F) Heading out of Villarzel Village towards Villeneuve-Minervois, take a right onto Chemin de la Bergerie which leads to the D35.

(1) Take the D35 on the left over 200 m. Continue on the path which heads off to the left (signpost) and keep going towards Château de Villarlong.

(2) At the fork, after passing the château entrance, go to the right of the chapel, then after 80 m, let the path curve to the left and go right towards Clarisse church ruins (a must see). Backtrack until you get to the larger path and continue on your right. After about 200 m regain the waymarked trail on the right. Get to Grand-Combe stream and turn left. At the junction roughly 500 m further, steer right and keep going for a good one hundred metres.

(3) Leave the large path and take the trail that heads off to your right (signpost) leading to the cemetery.

(4) After a short stop in the cemetery containing Visigoths' tombs, ignore a trail heading off to the left and keep heading north on the path reaching a crossroads (high point 223). Head left, due south-west. Go left at the first junction then right at the following four leading to the D335.

(5) Take the D335 to the left over roughly 220 m.

(6) Next take the carriage road on the right which extends to Rue de la Fontaine at Villarzel-Cabardès village entrance.

(7) Turn left onto Rue des Colombes then left again reaching your starting point
(S/F).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 196 m - Departure
  2. 1 : km 0.54 - alt. 192 m - Junction with the D35
  3. 2 : km 1.41 - alt. 163 m - To the right of the chapel
  4. 3 : km 3.69 - alt. 193 m - At the sign, take the path on the right
  5. 4 : km 3.88 - alt. 207 m - The cemetery
  6. 5 : km 5.55 - alt. 200 m - D335, left
  7. 6 : km 5.76 - alt. 200 m - Right-hand carriageway
  8. 7 : km 6.61 - alt. 180 m - Rue des Colombes on the left
  9. S/E : km 6.83 - alt. 196 m - Arrival

Notes

Villarzel is a small village where parking is non-regulated. You can easily find a spot to park if you respect traffic and the villagers. 3 or 4 places are available near the start point.
The hike is waymarked Yellow (a line) and a few signpost remind you that you're on the Visigoths trail. The hike is pleasant and easy but good shoes are essential due to certain areas of terrain.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 30 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
GiPhi
GiPhi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant

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vavdin
vavdin

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Nice and easy walk, well preserved Visigoth tombs, splendid castle and beautiful views.

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bleucath
bleucath

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant, interesting and easy

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vavdin
vavdin

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Thank you Visorando

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kiki1965
kiki1965

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A superb walk, which makes for easy walking and discovery. A real treat, absolutely worth doing.
Only downside. The start is not really well signposted
Otherwise the rest of the route is perfect

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mila.75
mila.75

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The start of the walk was a little tricky.
Otherwise, a good description and an interesting walk.

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sfagoaga
sfagoaga

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This is a very pleasant walk that's easy for the whole family to enjoy, and which allows you to discover some beautiful sites, from the castle at the start, to the ruined church and the tombs. The route is partly shaded, you'll find yourself in the middle of vineyards, you'll come across horses and, quite frankly, you'll enjoy the peace and quiet all the way. The markings are very helpful. I highly recommend this walk, especially now that we're stuck 10 km from Carcassonne, it's particularly invigorating. Thank you to the people on this site for giving us the chance to get away from it all without going very far!

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jean-louis s
jean-louis s

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

More of a stroll than a hike, but a very pleasant one with lovely views of the Pyrenees.
Passages in front of the castle and through the ruins of the chapel offer pleasing settings for the eye!
Excavations of the necropolis are well displayed and explained.
A must-do (as we were lucky enough to do!) on a fine spring day, perhaps hot in the middle of summer...

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martabel
martabel

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Easy walk, not very shady, so don't forget your sun hat.....even in the March sun!
The castle site is very beautiful and the ruins of the chapel very interesting and well preserved.
The Visigoth necropolis is impressive and the excavations are well completed.
Beautiful views of the snow-capped Pyrenees.

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b-attitude11
b-attitude11

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful walk with varied landscapes and historic sites such as the castle, chapel and tombs, as well as interesting flora and fauna. Personally, I think that the end of the loop, which passes through the village, does not add anything and should be optional, as there is the possibility of creating an alternative route.

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PAFE72
PAFE72

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 07, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant trail, with almost dry feet despite the very wet weather of the last few days. Partly shaded, varied scenery...

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lolo11160
lolo11160

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

What a beautiful morning on this hike, slightly overcast with a little wind fresh for a 15 July, but fortunately the route is very beautiful, easy to do. the tombs and the place is beautiful, the surroundings of the castle are too beautiful. very good day, to do again.

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Bergerette
Bergerette

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

An easy and interesting walk.
The signposting is well done, except after the chapel of the Clarisses: it takes you too far back. There is at least one cross too many.
It's best to rely on the map.

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aster_X
aster_X

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very nice walk, best done in the morning as it is quite exposed to the sun, with few shady sections.
The route is perfect, as is the description.
You absolutely must see the little chapel at the end of the path after the castle, magnificently preserved.
The cemetery is also very impressive.
A must-do

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napi11
napi11

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

very pleasant walk
lots to discover at every turn
a must-do

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