HIKING TOUR
With a home-base return every evening, we will complete single-day hikes to a variety of destinations. Only a small day pack is required for this adventure. Our two bases are Cucugnan, a charming village with a mill still used to grind flour for the local bakery, and Quillan, a larger town with shops, cafés, bars, and restaurants. During this adventure we will visit several Cathar castles, with time scheduled to enjoy local culture, wine, and cuisine.
View from Aguilar Castle
ITINERARY
Day 1 / Arrival and Welcome
Guests will be met in Carcassonne mid-day. Following lunch we use the afternoon to travel to Cucugnan, our first home-base location. After settling into the hotel and reviewing your pack, there will be time to tour the village before dinner with the group. We will rise early the next morning and set off on the first of our day hikes.
Included: Lunch, dinner
Lodging: Auberge
Pickup Time / 11 AM
Pickup Location / Carcassonne train station
Day 2 / Château d'Aguilar to Château de Quéribus
Our first hike begins with a view of the glacial valley from Aguilar Castle, one of the Cathar castles that once formed the border with Spain. We hike on a varied landscape of vineyards and rolling hills, passing through Padern village, with an ascent to Padern Castle, and finally up the ridgeline to Quéribus Castle. Time will be scheduled to tour Quéribus.
Included: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner, entry to Aguilar Castle
Lodging: Auberge
Distance / 18km/11mi
Ascent / 710m/2,329ft
Descent / 372m/1,220ft
Max Elev. / 607m/1,991ft
Time / 8 hours (including visits to Aguilar and Quéribus castles)
Day 3 / Cucugnan to Gorge de Galamus
Today’s adventure begins with vineyards, valleys, and a gentle ascent to Douhillac where we see Peyrepertuse Castle rising from the cliff face. Following a visit to the castle, we will hike across the Plateau de Brézou with incredible views of the valley before descending to the Col Das Souls and down through the majestic Gorge de Galamus.
Included: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner, entry to castle
Lodging: Auberge
Distance / 18km/11mi
Ascent / 841m/2,759ft
Descent / 766m/2,513ft
Max Elev. / 679m/2,228ft
Time / 8 hours (Including a visit to Peyrepertuse Castle)
Day 4 / Rest Day and Transition to Quillan
Today we drive to Quillan, which is now home-base for the rest of our day-hiking adventure. Spend the morning visiting Puilaurens Castle then explore the town of Quillan. Here you will see 12th-to-14th century architecture, including the Château de Quillan. With shops, cafés, and boulangeries, Quillan offers much to do and see. Lunch is not included in today’s tour to give you the opportunity to explore independently.
Included: Breakfast, dinner, entry to castle
Lodging: Hotel
Day 5 / Quillan to Coudons Loop
Beginning with a gradual ascent from Quillan, we reach the forest before arriving at Coudons. The day’s hike continues along the ridgeline, stopping at the Belvédère overlook, before descending back to Quillan.
Included: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hotel
Distance / 16km/10mi
Ascent / 882m/2,894ft
Descent / 865m/2,838ft
Max Elev. / 1,084m/3,556ft
Time / 5 hours
Day 6 / Quillan to Coudons via Nébias
Our final day hike begins with a gradual ascent from Quillan to Brenac. After taking in panoramic views, we head toward Nébias. We hike over rolling hills to Lafage where we have a final climb before descending into the village. The views from this vantage point end our day-hiking adventure on a high note.
Included: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hotel
Distance / 16km/10mi
Ascent / 826m/2,710ft
Descent / 252m/827ft
Max Elev. / 865m/2,838ft
Time / 5 hours
Day 7 / Transition Day
Enjoy breakfast, followed by transportation to Carcassonne where you can tour the historic town before taking the train to your airport destination.
Included: Breakfast
Drop off time /
12pm local time
Drop off location /
Carcasonne train station
