Carcassonne & Mighty Montsegur
We begin our journey at the impressive medieval walled city of Carcassonne, a former bastion of Catharism, from where we travel into the Pyrenean foothills, reaching Montsegur - perhaps the best known of all the Cathar strongholds. From the castle perched high on a craggy outcrop we look down on the tiny village of Montsegur, its houses curiously lined in long straight rows; and to the east the rolling hills of Ayiege stretch to the horizon - our walking route over the next six days.

Gorges de la Frau & Puivert
Our itinerary takes us through forests to the awesome Gorges de la Frau (meaning 'Gorges of Fear'), whose sheer walls provide an eerie echo to crickets and nesting birds. Then to Chateau de Puivert, whose sombre yet beautiful architecture reflects the ascetic ideals of the Cathars - to whom the spiritual world was infinitely more important than the physical.

Corbieres & Chateau de Peyrepertuse
Walking via the attractive market towns of Rennes le Chateau and Rennes les Bains (a spa town), we overnight in idyllic Corbieres villages such as Granes and Sougraigne, then continue through the Gorges de Galamus to Peyrepertuse - a formidable castle stretching 300m along the crest of high cliffs. Finally we visit Queribus, probably the best preserved of the Cathar castles, perched dizzyingly on a needle of rock.

Itinerary:

Day 1 Join Montpellier, transfer to Carcassonne. 2 Morning in Carcassonne; drive to visit Montsegur castle. 3 Walk via Gorges de Frau to Belcaire. 4 Drive to Puivert, visit castle, walk to Bourriege. 5 Walk via Rennes le Chateau to Granes. 6 Hike to Rennes les Bains, continue on foot to Sougraigne. 7 Drive to Gorges de Galamus, hike via Peyrepertuse to Duilhac. 8 Visit Chateau de Queribus en route to Montpellier airport.

Accommodation: 7nts hotel/gite/ auberge/bergerie; 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches & 6 dinners included.
Transport: Bus/On foot.
Comment: This short, accommodated walking trip is graded moderate. Walking between the Cathar castles which abound in this unspoilt corner of France, we stay in gites, small hotels, an auberge and a bergerie (shepherd's hut). A support vehicle enables us to walk unencumbered. Bring a sleeping bag for the gite & bergerie accommodation.
Group: Approx. 12 to 16.
Staff: Explore Tour Leader plus luggage transfers.
Trip Reference: FC