The Cathar Way - A Walker's Guidebook

The Cathar Way is a waymarked trail linking historic castles associated with the ill-fated 13th-century Cathar heresy. Guide to this 250km (two-week) route through the foothills of the Pyrenees in the Languedoc region of southern France, from the Mediterranean to Foix. Beautiful and historic area.

Route Map Key
Location Map
Map of Stages and Cathar Castles En Route
Map of Administrative Departments

INTRODUCTION
The Sentier Cathare, ‘the most celebrated footpath in France’
The Cathars
Cathar History
Cathar Castles
The Cathar Region
The Sentier Cathare, Port-la-Nouvelle to Foix
Origin and Character of the Trail
Waymarking and Route-finding
Changes to the Route
Castles and Other Features of Interest
Getting There
Getting Around
Accommodation
How to Use This Guide
Planning a Trek Along the Cathar Way
Route Summary
Stocking Up
Maps
Weather
Equipment and Water
Risks

THE SENTIER CATHARE
Stage 1 Port-la-Nouvelle to Durban-Corbières
Stage 2 Durban-Corbières to Tuchan
Stage 3 Tuchan to Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse
Stage 4 (Main Route) Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse to Prugnanes
Stage 4 (North Variant) Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse to Camps-sur-l'Agly
Stage 5 (Main Route) Prugnanes to Puilaurens
Stage 5 (North Variant) Camps-sur-l'Agly to Bugarach
Stage 5 Link from North Variant to Main Route
Stage 6 (Main Route) Puilaurens to Quirbajou (or Labeau)
Stage 6 (North Variant) Bugarach to Quillan
Stage 7 (Main Route) Quirbajou (or Labeau) to Puivert
Stage 7 (North Variant) Quillan to Puivert
Stage 8 Puivert to Espezel (or Belvis)
Stage 9 Espezel (or Belvis) to Comus
Stage 10 Comus to Montségur
Stage 11 Montségur to Roquefixade
Stage 12 Roquefixade to Foix
Final Thoughts

APPENDIX 1    Accommodation and Further Information
APPENDIX 2    Taxi Services
APPENDIX 3    Some Suggestions for the Future Development of the Sentier Cathare
APPENDIX 4    Other Long-distance Paths in the Cathar Region
APPENDIX 5    Useful Publications
APPENDIX 6    Useful Addresses and Websites