Sentier Cathare
A long-distance route through the foothills of the Pyrenees, linking the dramatic hilltop castles once held by the Cathars.
Route overview
The Sentier Cathare runs roughly 250 kilometres across the departments of Aude and Ariège in southern France, from Port-la-Nouvelle on the Mediterranean coast to Foix in the Pyrenean foothills. The route links a chain of medieval fortresses, including Peyrepertuse, Quéribus and Montségur, associated with the Cathar movement suppressed in the thirteenth century. The terrain alternates between Mediterranean garrigue scrubland in the east and increasingly mountainous Pyrenean foothill country to the west, with the final stages climbing toward Montségur and Foix. The route is waymarked and passes through vineyards, small villages and forested ridgelines. Most walkers complete the trail west to east or east to west over roughly two weeks, staying in gîtes and small hotels along the way.
Trail facts
- Country
- France
- Region
- Occitanie
- Distance
- c. 250 km
- Typical duration
- 14–16 days
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Elevation gain
- c. 9,000 m cumulative
- Best season
- April–October
- Trail type
- Point-to-point
Safety context
Some sections involve exposed rocky terrain near castle ruins. Summer heat in the eastern, lower-altitude sections can be intense.
Water sources can be limited in the drier eastern garrigue sections during summer.
Highlights
Château de Peyrepertuse hilltop fortress Château de Quéribus Montségur castle and Cathar history Mediterranean garrigue landscapes near the coast Foix and its medieval château
Why find a buddy
Two weeks of point-to-point walking through remote foothill country is more secure and sociable with a hiking partner.
Primary source
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Route conditions, access, services and transport can change. Verify time-sensitive information before departure.