Villardonnel walks

Petite balade autour du village durant laquelle vous allez souvent longer des murettes en pierres sèches. Les sentiers ont été creusés à flanc de colline et ces murettes ont été montées pour retenir la terre du fond dominant. Nous sommes en 2016 et le tracé a été reconnu et identifié par des marques de couleur Rouge. Ces marques ne respectent pas la forme officielle de la FFR mais sont parfaitement visibles car assez larges. Cela n'est pas inutile car certains sentiers sont dans les champs.

The walk is half sheltered from the sun and wind. There is a little tarmac and a lot of almost carriageable, limestone and very stony paths.

A pleasant cultural walk combining walking and discovery, history and a journey into the past: visit the Cathar castles of Lastours. Four castrums on the same route: Quertinheux, Surdespine, Tour Régine, Cabaret. Suitable for families with motivated children. There are a large number of steps, which work the psoas and quadriceps muscles. Moderator's note Sites subject to a fee, see reviews

This challenging hike involves four successive ascents and descents in the foothills of the Montagne Noire. It offers a wide variety of places and views throughout the day. To complete this loop, we have cleared a path through broom and holm oak trees. The GPX track is essential for following this section, which is approximately 400 m long, from the point (10). The rest of the hike is on well-marked trails. Note the crossing of the Ruisseau de La Grave (at an altitude of 397 m), which can be tricky if the flow is strong.

On the border between the Tarn and Aude departments, this circuit allows you to discover four authentic villages preserved in their green setting: Mas-Cabardès, which is the starting point, Roquefère and its castle, Miraval and La Tourette. Although mostly in the woods, the first part of the hike offers magnificent views of the Carcassonne plain, the Corbières and the Pyrenees in the background.

Exploring La Montagne Noire and one of the highest waterfalls in Europe.

On 300 hectares, an association in Conques-sur-Orbiel has restored a large number of drystone shelters, which were once used to shelter farmers when they worked on this inhospitable land. The rocks dug up during the work were used to build these shelters. You will come across around thirty of these drystone shelters.

This is a beautiful walk, but it is exposed to the wind and sun. The first kilometre is quite steep, but the next two kilometres are gentler. Rough wooden signs engraved with "Circuit Saint-Roch" will guide you along the way, even if they are not very visible or legible... Since 15 October 2018 and the floods, a lot of earth has been washed away from the paths and many of them have become very stony and rocky. However, the circuit remains entirely feasible.

A ten-kilometre hike that winds through forests and fields. There are some beautiful properties to see, and above all, the village of Montolieu is worth a visit.

Magnificent landscapes on the border between Haut-Cabardès and Minervois for a circular route that follows the GR®36 on the way back from the foot of Pradelles-Cabardès, taking an old Roman road. Breathtakingly beautiful landscapes, except for the Tramontane wind.

Nestled between Lake Galaube and Lake Laprade Basse, the Loubatière State Forest covers 450 hectares. It is located in the western part of the vast forest that covers the southern slope of the Montagne Noire in the Aude department. A single, completely wooded area, this forest, which ranges in altitude from 660 to 885 metres, forms the headwaters of the Linon stream. In autumn, it offers a dream setting for hikers in search of mushrooms and chestnuts, with the golden colours of oak, beech, birch and chestnut leaves carpeting the ground. This is the ideal playground for an easy walk starting from the hamlet of Cals Haut, part of the commune of Lacombe, between Saissac and Les Martys.

A lovely little walk from the Bassin de Saint-Denis to the Prise Alzeau and back along the stream.

This is an easy hike, sheltered from the sun for 90% of the route. The hike can be done in either direction. You will be better sheltered from the sun if you follow the directions given here.

From Lac de Laprade Basse in the commune of Cuxac-Cabardès, "Let's go for a walk in the woods to see if the wolf is there!" In fact, let's set off to explore the Loubatière National Forest, from the Dure River, which feeds the lake, to the Linon Stream, which joins it upstream from Montolieu. Beneath centuries-old trees stand the ruins of an old Carthusian monastery abandoned long before the Revolution, due, among other things, to wolves... which have since been replaced by deer.

Here is a variation on the "Lac de Laprade, around the lake" hike. This variation avoids the climb up the paved road to the village of Laprade Basse. It allows you to visit the Laprade peat bogs and enjoy a pleasant walk on pontoons.

360 years ago, Pierre Paul Riquet had the trial trench for the Canal du Midi dug. The official purpose of this small diversion canal was to prove that large quantities of water could be brought from the Montagne Noire to the Naurouze threshold, where the planned navigation canal would have its "dividing point", its highest watercourse. However, for Riquet, the stakes were much higher: he also wanted to prove that he was fully capable of managing a project as large as the gigantic structure he had planned. To convince Colbert and the commission responsible for examining the feasibility of the project, he offered to finance the test canal himself and only be reimbursed if the objectives were achieved... Theoutcome proved this stubborn man right! This walk takes you on a journey of discovery to find traces of this "Rigole d'Essai" in the Alzeau valley, starting from the village of Lacombe. Parking is available opposite the town hall.

A refreshing walk in the Montagne Noire from the small village of Lacombe (11310) to the Ramondens national forest (Tarn) with a picnic stop near the retaining dyke of the St-Denis basin. Return via the right bank of the Alzeau and passage at the Prise d'Alzeau, source of the Canal du Midi, before climbing back up to Lacombe. Walk checked on 18/06/23. A few details have been added by the author

The Pic de Nore is the highest point and iconic summit of the Montagne Noire, with its transmitter visible for dozens of kilometres around. The circuit described here allows you to make the ascent without any difficulty, passing by several exceptional viewpoints over the Pyrenees. Two menhirs along the way and a visit to the old ice houses in Pradelles-Cabardès are a pleasant addition to this varied hike at medium altitude.

Take a walk or bike ride along the Canal du Midi, passing through the river port of Trèbes to the Château de Bouilhonnac.