The Camí dels Bons Homes – what you need to know

Where is the route?

The trail starts in Foix in southern France and weaves its way across the French and Spanish Pyrenees to the Catalan town of Berga.

How long is the route?

225km (140 miles)

Does the route have other names?

The Camí dels Bons Homes is also known as the GR107 and Le Chemin des Bonshommes.

How challenging is the route?

Some sections of the trail are long and somewhat demanding, so a reasonable level of fitness is required for the trek.

How many days are needed to complete the route?

Walkers with moderate fitness can finish the trail in 10 days (stage breakdown shown below), with the recommended stages each between 16 and 36km (10–22 miles) in length. Opting for a 12-day itinerary offers a slower, more comfortable pace, avoiding longer days.

For those with limited time, a week-long holiday allows for completing half of the trail, such as between Foix and Porta or between Berga and Bellver de Cerdanya, with accessible train or bus services to and from these towns.

When should I walk the route?

The best time to walk the entire Camí dels Bons Homes trail is between May and October. The busiest time on the trail is July and August, so booking accommodation during these months is highly recommended.

How do I travel to and from the route?

To reach the beginning of the GR107 trail, the recommended route is to fly to Toulouse and then take the train to Foix. Another option is to take the Eurostar to Paris and continue with the high-speed TGV rail service to Toulouse. After finishing your trek in Berga, you can take a bus to Barcelona, which offers good connections with other European cities through several airlines, including budget airlines flying to and from various UK airports such as London, Birmingham, and Manchester.

Is the trail signposted?

Yes the trail is well signposted so can be walked in either direction. As it is based on Cathar history, our guidebook describes the route from Foix to Berga (north to south).

What are the route highlights?

When you do the Camí dels Bons Homes, you can see the stunning beauty of the Parc Natural del Cadí-Moixeró. The Pedraforca is located there, one of the most climbed mountains in Catalonia with its two peaks separated by a large hill. There are also historic castle ruins and, of course, the beautiful Pyrenees landscape.

What accommodation options are available?

On the more remote French side of the trail, you are most likely to spend the night in a gîte or in a family-run guesthouse. Gîtes usually provide dormitory-style accommodation, but many of the guesthouses offer a combination of different types of accommodation and it's often possible to book a double room.

Once you have crossed into Catalonia you will pass through towns with more choices. During July and August it's best to book your accommodation in advance. The guidebook includes a list of recommended accommodation, including campsites.

What should I take with me?

It is essential to keep your bag as light as possible, but you have to be prepared to experience variable weather in the Pyrenees. A warm fleece, waterproof jacket and comfortable hiking boots are all essential. Packing a sleeping bag liner or a sleeping bag, as well as a travel towel, is also advisable as these may not be provided in all gîtes or refuges.

Of course, if you are planning on camping you’ll need all the lightweight camping equipment.

What is the Cathar history of the route?

The Cathars, a religious sect originating in 12th century southern France, held beliefs diverging from mainstream Catholicism. Despite being labelled as heretics by the Catholic Church, they were often recognised within their communities for leading morally upright lives, characterised by asceticism and spiritual purity, and referred to as "bons homes" (good men). Persecuted for challenging orthodox teachings, they were excommunicated and forced into exile. One route they took stretched from Montsegur Castle in France to the Santuari de Queralt in Catalonia, which is now known as the Camí dels Bons Homes.

Which guidebook should I bring?

If you’d like to experience the stunning beauty and medieval history of the Camí dels Bons Homes, our guidebook to the trek contains everything you need to plan your trip. There’s advice on planning and preparation, 1:100,000 maps for each stage, GPX files to download, and a handy stage facilities planner that highlights information about accommodation, facilities and public transport along the route.