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.

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 (541 m), the highest point of the Serre de Blanes, offers a magnificent 360° panorama that takes in the Montagne d'Alaric, the Carcassonne plain and, on a clear day, the peaks of the Ariège Pyrenees and Canigou. The climb, starting from the village of Saint-Pierre-des-Champs, takes place in a landscape typical of the Corbières region, with small isolated vineyards, pine trees and heath where holm oaks reign supreme. A breath of fresh air and peace and quiet guaranteed.

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.

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.

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.

The hike involves climbing the normal route up Pic Saint-Victor, the highest point in the County of Durban. At the summit, there are orientation tables and a thousand-year-old hermitage. There is a sweeping view of the lakes and the sea, as well as the Pyrenees mountain range stretching to the peaks of Luchonnais.

This is a sunny hike between heathland and rock formations, best avoided on hot days. Hike through the heathland, which combines natural geological, plant and man-made formations: arches, mills, sheepfolds, a fountain, a 12th-century church, a hermitage and a lookout point. The goal is to reach the 360° viewpoint over the Corbières at the top of the Ermitage Saint-Victor.

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!

The Lacamp plateau overlooking the Val de Dagne offers numerous viewpoints. Heath, communal forest (beech and oak) and state-owned forest (fir and cedar). This trail passes two orientation tables that provide information about the Montagne Noire and the Pyrenees. It led to Bouisse, a day's walk across the Lacamp plateau. On the village square, next to the fountain and at the corner of the old town hall, a sign describing the trail was installed in 2010. Since 2020, the old public toilets have become the smallest museum in the world!

Hike in the Montagne d'Alaric with numerous viewpoints over the Montagne Noire and the Pyrenees on a clear day. Pass by the bénitiers (rocks), the ruins of Miramont Castle and the Priory of Saint-Jean.

A short loop east of the typical little village of Villesèque-des-Corbières. After crossing vineyards, the first challenge is the climb up to the plateau where, in the middle of the heath and a field of wind turbines, you will reach the Col de Gléon. On the way down, we will pass close to the Janfestre spring before tackling the second difficulty, a steep but short ramp, to reach the starting point via the Chemin de la Cabayride. ⚠️ 31/07/2025: Access to all the Corbières mountains is currently prohibited by the prefecture due to the risk of fire.

A loop from the magnificent Abbaye de Fontfroide in the massif of the same name. There are 360° views of the Corbières, the Pyrenees and the Aude coastline. With no major difficulties, the route only takes in the DFCI paths of this highly protected massif.

A hike amongst vines, garrigue and fragrant pines to discover several capitelles (shelters) and ancient sheep-pens built of limestone rocks, vestiges of the work of local peasants on these slopes in previous times. At the end of the trail, the St Cécile chapel, built on a very pleasant site, offers a great area to relax.

Despite its modest altitude (596 m), the Pic du Pied du Poul is nonetheless an exceptional viewpoint offering a 360° panorama of the Mediterranean Sea, the lakes, the Corbières, the Aude plain and the Pyrenees. While the ascent does not pose any real problems, the second part is for hikers who are used to walking on stony ground where it can sometimes be very difficult to see where you are going.

In the Laure-Minervois area, drystone shelters known as capitelles bear witness to the history and work of the rural world. This route, marked in yellow, will take you to around thirty capitelles that have been restored by the villagers.

Loop hike to reach the Montoulieu-Perillos weather radar. From the village of Perillos (abandoned village), easy hike on a stony path (emergency access) (beware, no shade) to the radar, but the descent is more difficult. You can park near the Sainte Barbe chapel (point 11) to avoid having to climb back up to the village at the end of the hike, but the village is also well worth a visit.

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.