(We are grateful to Bob Carpenter for comments which have inspired many of the following notes.)
"Walk 4" - Foix (Long Walk and Short Walk)
A landowner has withdrawn permission for walkers to use the path across their land between the Col de Porte Pa (point 12 on the sketch map in our book) and a farmstead called the Pech de Naut (point 13).
The result, for the time being at any rate, is that it is not possible to follow the route of the long walk (Montgaillard to Foix via the Pech de Foix) beyond point 12. The best advice that can be offered at present is simply to turn round and descend to Montgaillard, then return to Foix by public transport.
As noted in our book, it is possible to descend by a more direct route from point 11. You meet the outward route at point 5.
The short walk can still be followed from Foix, up towards the Pech de Foix, but the route is currently blocked at the Pech de Naut farmstead (shortly before point 13). It is not possible to proceed beyond there.
Descriptions of other walks from and near Foix (in French, but with detailed route maps) can be found at www.foix-tourisme.com/accueil/... 6 - the Lordat Castle Walk
Between points 1 and 2 on this walk, it may now be unclear which path is the "stony path" to the left which "descends steeply through woodland into the valley below". If in doubt, continue contouring round on the track to the right until it reaches a road. Turn left there and follow the road round to Axiat church (point 4 on our sketch map). From there, continue along the road to Payfoch (point 3), and pick up the walk description in our book from there.
Walk 11 - Puilaurens
As indicated earlier with regard to other walks in our book which follow sections of the Sentier Cathare, the waymarking for those sections is now in red-and-white, not blue-and-yellow or otherwise.
It has been reported that, between points 11 and 12 on this walk, a sign points back uphill to the right for the Serre des Aiguilles. If you see this sign, ignore it. The turning for the Serre des Aiguilles is in fact on the left, further on at point 12, as per the description in our book.
Walk 12 - Quéribus: Long walk and variant
The upper part of this walk, from just before point 8 on our sketch map, can no longer be recommended. The waymarking has been discontinued and the path has become overgrown.
The waymarked route now turns sharp left at a track junction not long before point 8 and very shortly before the "large stone-built farmhouse...which is, sadly, in ruins". It is now advisable to turn left and follow that waymarked route. That route follows a track which more or less contours the hillside for some distance. At a track fork along the way, go to the right.
This route eventually meets the "variant" described in our book just below point 13. If you are still keen to visit Quéribus castle while doing this walk, you need to turn right here and climb to the D19 road. Go right and follow that road up to the Grau de Maury, then go up the access road to the castle. After visiting the castle, descend on the roads by the same route and pick up the "variant" route from point 13. Follow that route back down to Maury.
Walk 15 - Rennes-le-Château
As explained in the update note of June 2015, we now recommend that you split this walk into two: a morning's out-and back from Couiza up to Rennes-les-Château, as described in our book between points 1 and 5; then an afternoon's outing from Couiza out to Coustaussa and back between points 1 and 9.
It is, however, pleasing to have learnt more recently that:
- between points 2 and 3, the open fenced area with junk has long gone; and
- the section between points 11 and 12 is no longer overgrown!
June 2015
Walk 15 Rennes-le-Château
A reader has reported problems on the route of Walk 15, Rennes-le-Château. With reference to the route map on page 187 of our book, the difficulty (which was of the barbed wire variety) was encountered on the section between points 7 and 8. It seems as if one or more owners no longer want people to walk on this route (which may not be a public right of way).
There is at present no convenient alternative route here. Two other options are suggested:
- Walk from Couiza up to Rennes-les-Château, as described in the book between points 1 and 5, then return by the same route. That is a good morning's walk. For an afternoon outing on the same day, walk from Couiza out to Coustaussa and back, also on the route described in our book, between points 1 and 9. The route between Couiza and Coustaussa is indicated by yellow waymarks and is described in a leaflet that you can find on this web page: www.paysdecouiza.com/randonnees/pdf/fiche-randonnee-4.pdf.
- Try a completely different walk, starting at Rennes-le-Château. This is a circuit of 13km, known as the Circuit du Ritou, which follows a waymarked route in the hills south of Rennes- les-Château. It is described in a leaflet that you can find on this web page: http://www.paysdecouiza.com/ra... 2014
Since the latest printing of the guide, the following website addresses have changed:
Introduction/Getting around
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/tpcf has changed to www.tpcf.fr
Introduction/Accommodationwww.logis-de-fr.fr has changed to www.logishotels.com
Introduction/Waymarked walking routeswww.ffrp.asso.fr has changed to www.ffrandonnee.fr
Walk 1www.lecanaldumidi.com has changed to www.midicanal.fr
Walk 2www.ot-herault.com/minerve has changed to www.minervois-tourisme.fr
Walk 3 www.ot-foix has changed to www.tourisme-foix-varilhes.fr
Walk 7 The best website for information about Montaillou is now www.histariege.com/montaillou.htm
Walk 11www.lapradelle-puilarens.com has changed to www.audetourisme.com
Walk 14The website for the Chateau Villerouge and Chateau de Termes is now www.audetourisme.com
Walk 16 www.audetourisme.com/pointBuga... changed to www.audetourisme.com
Contact details have also changed for the two following organisations:
Comité Départemental Ariegeois de Randonnée Pédestre, Pôle d'Activités - ferme d'Icart, 09240 Montels; contact@cdrp09.com; www.cdrp09.com
Office Intercommunal de Tourisme des Corbières Sauvages, Route de Padern, 11350 Cucugnan; tel: (00 33) (0)4 68 45 69 40; bienvenue@corbieres-sauvages.com; www.corbieres-sauvages.com
February 2012 page 112
Circular walk north of NébiasRecently it has been possible to follow a route closer to the lake between points 3 and 4, across private land. The text should now read:After descending a fairly steep slope, the path meets a track where you turn left (3). Where the track forks a little further ahead, go right, and soon approach a lake in an open area. This is on the edge of a campsite. Notices may tell you it is private property. If all is well, you should be able to go straight ahead, past the lake. (Formerly, the route was diverted to follow slightly higher ground on the right. If the route is waymarked to follow that diversion once again, follow the waymarks.) About 200 metres after the lake, take a turning on the left (if you follow the diversion, the routes rejoin at this point). The track goes downhill and crosses a small wooden footbridge over a streambed (4).page 207Appendix 2; General publicationsThe latest edition of the guidebook in French to the Sentier Cathare, published by Rando éditions, appeared in 2011 at a price of 9.90 euros.Also published in 2011 by Rando éditions was an excellent map at a scale of 1:55,000, showing the route of the Sentier Cathare. That map also shows the routes of many local circular walks, including some that appear in this book. The map currently costs 9.95 euros.
January 2012
Walk 4 – Foix
Pages 68 and 73: where the walk follows the Sentier Cathare, the waymarking is now red and white, not red and yellow.
Walk 5 – Roquefixade
Pages 80 and 81:
Waymarks are now as follows:
- from (1) to (3) – red and white (Sentier Cathare)- from (3) to (6) – yellow- from (6) to just before (9) – no waymarks (formerly red and yellow, but now removed)- from just before (9) to just after (10) – red and yellow (the Tour du Pays d’Olmes)- from just after (10) to the finish – red and white (Sentier Cathare)
Pages 82 and 83:
Between point (6) and just before point (9), the Tour du Pays d’Olmes (indicated by red and yellow waymarks) has been diverted to a route that winds uphill through the forest to the north-west of the route described in our book (ie, the route that goes past point (8)). The new route is longer, but is less steep and, in wet conditions, is less slippery than the route described in our book. You may prefer to follow this new route. But take care to follow the red and yellow waymarks – the new route is not yet shown on the IGN 1:25,000 map.
Walk 9 – Montségur
Page 122:
The waymarks between Montferrier and Montségur (on the Sentier Cathare) are now red and white, not red and yellow.August 2006Quéribus Circular Walk, page 160:The route here has changed and should now read:"...The soil here is in places almost bright orange. The vineyards become sparser and on both sides of the track there is now mostly dry, scented Mediterranean scrub. The Sentier Cathare soon branches off to the left, to climb a steep slope. The route of this walk formerly went straight ahead, to pass a smallholding, but it is now best to follow the Sentier Cathare and climb the slope on the left. You eventually rejoin the former route of this walk at a path junction. Turn left there and continue to climb. The ground is rocky in places, and it can be slippery after rainfall, so take great care here...."
Rennes-le-Château, page 186:
The author has discovered new information about Saunière:"... One theory is that Saunière financed all this after discovering Cathar treasure which had been smuggled out of Montségur just before its capitulation and which had been hidden in the churchyard at Rennes-le-Château. But there is no shortage of alternative theories, including some which revolve around Visigothic treasure, the Holy Grail and plundered gold. However, the writer Jean-Jaques Bedu has argued persuasively that Saunière really obtained much of his wealth from a fundraising strategy based on a trafic de messes. To the consternation of his bishop, Saunière successfully solicited, and retained, payments from all over France for saying masses for dear departed loved ones. Nevertheless, the mystery of Saunière's treasure persists - if only because people love to believe that a mystery remains to be solved."
Location map, page 6:
Axat should be on the road between Quillan and Usson, not just to the right of it.
Also there is now no railway service between Axat & Quillan.
Foix castle and museum, page 78:
The telephone number should now be: (00 33) (0)5 34 09 83 83.
