Cathare Country and its major sites : from Carcassonne to Foix

In the morning, you will discover the famous medieval town of Carcassonne. Later in the morning, transfer to the Quéribus Castle, « The Vertiginous Citadel ». Like an eyrie built on a rocky outcrop, this was the last stronghold of the Cathar resistance during the crusade against the Albigenses in 1255. Perched at 788m of altitude on the donjon's High Terrace, astonishing landscapes will meet your eyes, from the Canigou summit to the Roussillon and Corbières plains. By a short hike through the Corbières vineyards, the fragrant scrubland and the very beautiful village of Cucugnan, you will then reach Duilhac sous Peyrepertuse. Distance : 10km, duration : around 3h, ascent : +270m, descent : -505m. 

Picturesque itinerary with the visit of the Peyrepertuse fortress : the Castle is standing at 800m of altitude on a limestone ridge. This is one of the most beautiful examples of Cathar fortresses, which is also part of the old line of defence of the « five Carcassonne sons ». You will then cross the Galamus Gorges, an impressive canyon and outsanding natural setting. The Agly river, « eagles' river », dig the rock from waterfall to waterfall, and a road built in 1884 now hangs on the cliff. During the hike, you will also have a stop to visit the Galamus Hermitage : this is a humble house and a sanctuary  set in a cave, surrounded by box trees and evergreen oaks - an exceptional natural site.  Distance : 18,5km, duration : around 6h30, ascent : +780m, descent : -700m 

In the morning, transfer from Cubières to Caudies de Fenouillèdes. You will then hike towards the superb Puilaurens castle, perched on a rocky spur at 697m of altitude, in the heart of a coniferous forest . Before reaching it, you will  walk through the St Jaumes and Aigues Bonnes gorges. From the bottom of the gorge, the path carved in the rock leads to the Saint Pierre and Castel Sabarda castles. Transfer to your accomodation in Quillan at the end of the day. Distance : 14,5km, duration : around 5h, ascent : +680m ; descent : -570m

Starting from Quillan, you will discover with this itinerary the transition from the Mediterranean influence to the Pyrenean influence. From small valleys to hills, the impressive Puivert fortress will appear to you - a 12th century feudal castle and a former meeting place for the most famous troubadours. The village of Puivert is also very interesting, with its remnants from the past and its Quercorb Museum that thoroughly reports and evokes the life in the Quercorb region at the end of the last century. Possibility to shorten this section with a taxi transfer from Quillan to Ginoles. Distance : 20km, duration : around 6h30, ascent : +720m, descent : -530m. 

In the morning, transfer from Puivert to Montségur. A 1-hour visit of the Montségur castle that symbolizes the resistance of the Cathar Church against the Church of Rome, but also against the King of France and the overlords of the North searching for the rich lands of the South : they took possession of the place after the surrender and stake in 1244. After the visit of the castle, transfer from Montségur to Roquefixade and hike until Foix through a beautiful panoramic itinerary. Distance : 17km, duration : around 6h, ascent : +540m, descent : -875m.