WINTERY WALKS AND CATHAR STRONGHOLDS

After breakfast we will drive to the Roquefixade village and complete a 7km circuit around the chateau of Roquefixade to uncover some of its secrets.
Alternatively, for those really wanting to move more we will set of with conviction following the Chemin de Bonhommes which takes a superb, wooded ridge to reach Roquefixade in 5 to 6 hours. (15.5km).
Roquefixade castle (1001m) is so mysterious and yet in plain sight, perched at the top of an impressive rocky promontory which dominates the village of the same name. Its history is imprecise, like its remains. Only its construction at the turn of the 11th century and its destruction ordered by Louis XIII in 1632 seem to be a consensus. It is said to have been a Cathar stronghold in the 13th century. After the crushing of the Cathars a French garrison was stationed there. Roquefixade castle has undergone many changes from a residential castle to a defensive barracks and a historic monument since 1995. You will learn more of its history and relevance to the Cathars during your stay. We stay in Auberge or Hotel accommodation this night.

On exiting Roquefixade there is a memorial to the French resistance fighters who died locally in Coulzonne. Then we will descend through the forest past small farms and numerous hamlets which appear to have stood still in time. A final climb on small forest tracks brings us to our charming auberge in Montferrier. Height gain 500m | distance 12km.

En route we will visit the Chateaux of Montsegur. From 1204 Montseguer was a Cathar stronghold and by the time of the siege of the cathars more than 200 were burned at the stake just below the castle. We will visit the museum beneath Montsegur in its village should it be open and make the climb up to the castle. From Montegur after a short while there is a steep descent towards Petail. A traverse follows through pine trees taking us to the steep, high-sided Gorge de la Frau which is a protected site of biodiversity and home to bird of prey nesting projects. A rugged path leads to Comus. From there we will transfer to Chez Arran apartments for the night in Ornolac Ussat les Bains.

You have the chance to explore tunnels through rocks, caves and hideouts. The Spougla
Dinner in the Grotte de Lombrives or a local restaurant depending on numbers and the time of year