The 8 most beautiful hikes to do around Carcassonne

The hike around Carcassonne allows you not to confine yourself to the ramparts of the most famous medieval city of France, but also to discover the beautiful country, the Carcassès, taking your distance from the crowds of tourists sometimes invasive...

Carcassonne, at the height of its reputation, attracts a lot of the world: by staying on site, after enjoying the charms of the Medieval City classified by Unesco, it is time to put on your hiking shoes and to go to the discovery of the surroundings on foot. The terrain is favorable, with these landscapes of Occitania bathed in sun and covered with uncommon trails, to the Black Mountain, the Corbières, or the valley of the Aude...

The hikes around Carcassonne take the accents of the south-west, and its generous weather: the season is ideal to walk from the beginning of spring, before the big summer heats, but also after, with the sweetness found of the back-season in the Aude. In the summer, we look for more shade on the trails. It will always be necessary to foresee sufficient water: caution, hot blows sometimes happen without warning.

Easy walking with family or more busy outings during the day, all walkers will find their happiness on the trails of the most beautiful hikes of Carcassonne.

1. The castles of Lastours

Just 22 minutes by car, Lastours offers a perfect little hike around Carcassonne, to which are added historical visit and discovery of the Black Mountain heritage. The castles of Lastours, destined for the UNESCO World Heritage classification, will be at the center of this route.

Go straight to the village to start the walk: a nice loop, with no notable difficulty and suitable for children, leads you downstream of the small stream of Grésilhou in order to progress towards the view of the castles of Lastours: mandatory break to admire the breathtaking view of the four ancients Cathar fortresses .

At the end of the hike, enjoy this exit to deepen the visit of the castles, and discover the charming medieval village of Lastours, for a full day.

2. Roquefère in the Black Mountain

A little higher still in the Black Mountain (see 35 minutes drive), this new hike around Carcassonne also takes for starting point a medieval village typical of the region: Roquefère. To be seen in the passage: shale constructions, castle, washing, old houses...

The aim of this route is to achieve a superb loop around the village and to reach the Cubserviès waterfall: with its 90 meters high, it is one of the highest in Europe, and certainly one of the most beautiful natural sites of the Black Mountain massif.

A rather demanding hike due to more technical and steep passages per place, do not go lightly by providing good shoes, sticks, what to take strength and water reserve to ensure a very nice day of walking.

3. Walk around the lake of the Cavayère

A small hike around Carcassonne to do with the younger ones, especially to take the air and why not cool off in the calm waters of Lake Cavayère: a perfect exit when the mercury climbs on Carcassonne!

Only 15 minutes' drive away, this recreational lake offers beach and various activities in addition to walking. The route takes care to turn around the water plan (many shaded spots for the picnic), but also to venture into the surrounding countryside, quiet, through woods, fields and vineyards. Some pretty views on the way.

4. On the ridges of Alaric

Alaric, a former Wisigoth king, left his name everywhere in this small mountain range standing south of Moux, 30 minutes drive from Carcassonne. A corner where you are sure to walk quietly, on a marked path, while enjoying beautiful views of the landscapes of the Aude.

Itinerary in a loop, this hike around Carcassonne accumulates its little denived, without spreading too far: plan your equipment accordingly. On the return you will cross the ruins of the castle of Alaric, before you find your starting point. Ideally for a half-day walk.

5. Sculpturel Trail of Mayronnes

At 40 minutes’ drive, this pretty hike around Carcassonne allows you to reach the reliefs of the Corbières, in order to immerse yourself in landscapes composed of wood, vines and garrigue: the perfect terrain to hike, and to immerse yourself in the South!

The departure is in Mayronnes, known for its Sculpturel trail. This free and well-equipped path offers you surprises from end to end: sculptures and contemporary works of art surprisingly punctuate the itinerary, while basing effortlessly in the ambient setting.

The loop is easy to access, and is suitable for the whole family.

6. The buckle of Cabrespine

With its impressive dimensions that make it a giant, Cabrespine’s gouff is one of the most beautiful caves to visit in Europe (pay visit). For walkers, it will also be the starting point of a superb hike around Carcassonne, a 30-minute drive from the Medieval City.

Walk at your pace along this hilly track, which climbs and then goes back through the foothills of the Black Mountain. A good dose of wild nature and scents, before returning to civilization at the end of the loop, at the entrance of Cabrespine’s gouff.

7. From Trèbes to Carcassonne on the Canal du Midi

Trèbes is only a 15-minute drive from Carcassonne, and also sees passing the course of the Aude and the Canal du Midi: this impressive work, classified in its entirety to the world heritage by the Unesco, will be the object of this hike around Carcassonne easy but unpleasant.

The idea is simple: you follow the Canal du Midi, equipped with pedestrian and cycling routes, to reach Carcassonne, along the calm waters, crossing the various locks punctuating the itinerary, while crossing a few péniches. A green and shaded walk in many places to take a break, and taste the tranquility of the places.

8. The hike of the Canonges wood

Villasavary, a peaceful village of Audois, serves as a starting point for several nice hikes around Carcassonne, including the passage of GR7 and several well-lined and marked loops. The hike of the Canonges wood is from these.

Itinerary with no notable difficulty with return to the point of departure, enjoy this beautiful dive in the surrounding countryside taking the time to appreciate the various views of the country of Lauragais: on the horizon already stand the Pyrenees To perfect the decor!