This tour combines three beautiful, shorter, and easier hikes spaced apart with visits to historic sites that date back over 1,000 years, local markets that still have a distinctly medieval feel, uniquely delicious local food, and local vineyards for regional wine tastings.

While Athara Adventures will guide tours in several locations, we chose to ground our business in the Occitan region of France. The fantastic network of trails, local cuisine, and spectacular views provide plenty of reasons to love the area, but there is another reason to consider visiting this unique region: its long history of comradery and courage.

The Ride of the Five Castles is your chance to have an adventure with jaw-dropping views, heart-pumping climbs, and a delightful, uniquely French experience. The five Cathar castles: Aguilar, Peyrepertuse, Queribus, Puilaurens, and Puivert, once formed the border with Aragon (Spain). Magnificent feats of engineering, these fortresses are candidates for the UNESCO World Heritage List of sites.