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Podcast · 8 Jun 2022
Guidebook to the GR367 Cathar Way (Sentier Cathare) in the Languedoc region of southern France. The 260km waymarked trail from Port la Nouvelle on the Mediterranean to Foix traces the history of the Cathars through the Eastern foothills of the Pyrenees. Split into 13 stages and offering a northern variant, the route takes about 2 weeks to complete.
Seasons
Best walking between April and June and between September and October. The summer months can be very hot, with accommodation busier and more expensive. Accommodation may be closed in winter and higher parts of the route can be impacted by snow.Centres
Port-la-Nouvelle, Durban-Corbières, Tuchan, Cucugnan, Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet, Caudiès-de-Fenouillèdes, Puilaurens, Axat, Bugarach (north variant), Quillan (north variant), Puivert, Espezel, Montségur, Montferrier, FoixDifficulty
Difficulty varies from day to day, with some stages fairly gentle and others more strenuous, involving steep rocky paths and as much as 1000m ascent. A moderate level of fitness will improve your enjoyment of the trek. There are no technical difficulties but some sections of the route can feel remote, with few facilities (although accommodation is available at the end of every day stage).Must See
Cathar castles: Aguilar, Quéribus, Peyrepertuse, Fenouillet, Puilaurens, Puivert, Montségur, Roquefixade and Foix; historic wine-producing villages such as Tuchan and Cucugnan; Galamus Gorge; the remote Boulzane River; the imposing ridge of the Pech de Bugarach; pretty Quillan (north variant); French Resistance memorials; fantastic panoramas from the Plateau de Languerail; Frau Gorge; views towards the PyreneesISBN
9781786310477
Availability
Published
Published
26 Jan 2022
Edition
Second
Pages
160
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x 1.15cm
Weight
210g
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Overview
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Two of the southernmost départements of France, the Pyrénées-Orientales and Ariège are inextricably linked with the history of the Cathars, a heretical Christian sect who were subjected to a crusade in the thirteenth century. Striking castles built on jagged rocky precipices are a highlight of the region and a reminder of those turbulent times. This guidebook describes the 260km Cathar Way (Sentier Cathare or GR367), a long-distance trail from Port-la-Nouvelle on the Mediterranean coast to Ariége's departmental capital Foix linking several of the impressive Cathar castles. The route follows ancient footpaths, jeep tracks and country lanes and calls for a moderate level of fitness as it sweeps from sea level to 1300m across the rugged hill ranges of the Corbières and Fenouillèdes.
The guide describes the main route in 13 stages and also includes the slightly more direct north variant, as well as suggestions for shorter itineraries. Summary statistics introduce each day's walking and are followed by step-by-step route description illustrated with clear mapping. There are also details of facilities available en route and accommodation listings. An introduction covers all the practicalities, with comprehensive advice for planning your trip - including when to go, how to get there and what to take - in addition to a wealth of information about the region's fascinating history and the intriguing Cathars themselves.
The trail traverses rocky hills and meanders through woodland, vineyards, ancient villages, gorges and plateaus. As well as the rich Cathar heritage, there are also historic wine-producing towns, sites associated with the French Resistance of WWII and mysterious places steeped in ancient legend. The guide is a perfect companion to discovering the Cathar Way and the captivating stories of this distinctive region. -
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Luke Smith
Luke and Nell are hikers, travellers and bloggers who detail their slow travel adventures around the world on their blog whatifwewalked.com. Inveterate world backpackers, they started the blog in 2017 when they walked the 2000km Via Francigena from Canterbury in the UK through France, Switzerland and Italy on to Rome.
Since then they have walked extensively in Europe photographing, writing and blogging about trails in Germany, Spain, Portugal, the Faroe Islands, Scotland and much beyond. This is their first guidebook for Cicerone.
Nell Sleet
Luke and Nell are hikers, travellers and bloggers who detail their slow travel adventures around the world on their blog whatifwewalked.com. Inveterate world backpackers, they started the blog in 2017 when they walked the 2000km Via Francigena from Canterbury in the UK through France, Switzerland and Italy on to Rome.
Since then they have walked extensively in Europe photographing, writing and blogging about trails in Germany, Spain, Portugal, the Faroe Islands, Scotland and much beyond. This is their first guidebook for Cicerone.
