Tournissan walks

A walk in the hills above Tournissan, surrounded by pine trees, vineyards and heath. Geology enthusiasts will particularly enjoy the section through the Terres Rouges, where you follow part of the Sentier Francis Lastenouse trail, which is full of informative signs. Not to mention the magnificent natural surroundings, rich in striking colour contrasts, which are sure to delight other walkers.

The Gourg Goutonnier, an enormous giant’s kettle carved out over millennia in the bed of the Nielle, is the destination of this hike. You reach it after a charming walk through vineyards and heath. The return route takes you past the Chapel of Notre-Dame de Lère, which stands in a secluded spot amidst a sea of vines over which it seems to watch jealously. All the charm of the Corbières in a relatively short route, ideal for a half-day outing.

This hike, a little longer than Charlemagne's buttocks, takes you to a chapel and a viewpoint overlooking the surrounding area, all surrounded by wild vegetation.

This short hike takes you up to a vantage point where you can admire the village of Lagrasse and its listed abbey. The name "fesses de Charlemagne" (Charlemagne's buttocks) comes from a legend which tells how Charlemagne's horse stumbled, throwing him onto the hill where he landed on his backside.

A curious rock that dances, at least according to legend, a comprehensive botanical trail and an orientation table offering a magnificent 360° panorama: this is what you can expect on this easy hike through the sweet scent of pine trees. Not to mention the numerous ridge passages that offer beautiful views of the surrounding villages, the Corbières vineyards and, at the very end of the route, the great peaks of Occitanie.

Despite its modest altitude, Mont Major (542 m), the highest point of the Serre de Blanes, offers a magnificent, almost 360° panorama encompassing the Montagne d’Alaric, the Carcassonne plain and, on a clear day, the peaks of the Ariège Pyrenees and the Canigou. The ascent, starting from the village of Saint-Pierre-des-Champs, takes place amidst a landscape typical of the Corbières, with small, isolated vineyards, pine trees and heath where holm oaks reign supreme. A breath of fresh air in a setting where peace and quiet are guaranteed.

In the heart of the Corbières, a circular route north of the small village of Coustouge. This hilly and shaded route is particularly pleasant in summer. Through pine forests and heaths, we will come across some ruins of old sheepfolds.

Starting from Thézan-des-Corbières, this hike through pine trees and heathland leads to the natural amphitheatre of the Cirque de Viviès, a geological curiosity of the Corbières. After a somewhat challenging descent to the wild valley floor, the landscape opens up and vineyards appear everywhere. At the end of the route, the magnificent Château de Caraguilhes wine estate is a tempting invitation to end the day on a delicious note.

The second stage between Villerouge-Termenès and Lagrasse begins on the heights of the Corbières and then descends gradually towards the superb medieval village of Lagrasse and its abbey.

Starting from the small medieval village of Villerouge-Termenès, this route offers a wide variety of views over the vineyards of the plain, the scrubland, the woods and the wild canyons of the Hautes Corbières. At an altitude of 500 metres, you can see the Montagne Noire and the magnificent Pyrenees mountain range in the distance.

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.

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.

Starting from the small village of Montlaur, in the heart of the Corbières region, this circular trail is fragrant with the scent of pine trees and heath. The return journey takes you through vineyards, in a very Mediterranean atmosphere. There is a little tarmac at the end of the route, but this should not spoil the enjoyment of the walk.

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 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.

This hike offers fascinating geological discoveries, fossils and minerals, and splendid panoramic views. The route leads through diverse landscapes, from windmill ruins to green valleys, dotted with information panels on the geological history of the region. This geological experience and the flora open your eyes to the beauty and richness of the Corbières. On the square in front of the town hall in the village of Albas, several information panels tell you about the geological evolution of the area.

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.

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!

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

The pretty village of Termes is surrounded by two lovely walks. You can do them separately or in one go, offering the option of walks for three different fitness levels. As the northern section and the circular walk combining both walks have already been published on Visorando, I am adding the section that runs south of the village. If you follow the suggested route, it is suitable for average walkers, but you should be careful on the descent between points (4) and (7), as a few fairly steep sections may prove challenging for some. However, there are no insurmountable difficulties, but it is best to be forewarned.

A very beautiful hike along excellent, well-marked trails (GR® and PR®) to the south and north of Termes, a small village in the Hautes Corbières where you can visit the castle (pick up tickets at the Tourist Office before setting off on the hike). Classified as moderate, it nevertheless requires a good level of fitness as it includes a few steep sections along the route as well as some fairly steep descents.

This route in the heart of the Hautes Corbières offers superb panoramic views, an escape to a place that is as attractive for its beauty as it is for its rich history, as well as a great place to swim and cool off before visiting the ruins of the impregnable castle.