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Le_Sentier_Cathare_Chateau_75b6ef1c3e
  • Pyrénées 

The entire Cathar Trail by mountain bike Level 4

From the sea to the mountains

ref RY14

From
790€/person
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Presentation of your trip

From the Mediterranean to Foix: the entire famous Cathar Trail by mountain bike. Zero transfers, really beautiful mountain biking - dynamic, technical, playful… there is something for everyone ! From the Mediterranean beaches to the mountains of Haute-Ariège, you cross over the garrigues, hills, gorges, forests…without forgetting the Cathar fortresses ! 
The Cathar Trail by mountain bike: this is true mountain biking, across different terrains and through varied, beautiful landscapes - an incredible historical and spiritual epic.

  • DestinationPyrénées
  • TypeFree or Guided
  • Length of trip6 days and 5 nights
  • ActivitiesMountain Biking
  • Physical level
  • Technical level

Possible periods for this trip

  • Jan.
  • Feb.
  • March
  • Apr.
  • May
  • June
  • Jul.
  • August
  • Sep.
  • Oct.
  • Nov.
  • Dec.

Description of the tripProgramTravel conditionsDates and price

Trip details

Highlights

  • The entire trail by mountain bike without any transfers (except the return transfer to the departure point, included)
  • Real mountain biking (rolling and technical), across varied terrains
  • Famous Cathar chateaux

Complementary informations

  • 6 days - 5 nights including 6 days of mountain biking

Program

  • Day 1

    From Port-la-Nouvelle to Tuchan

    • Distance : 52 km
    • Elevation gain : 1062 m
    • Negative gradient : 953 m
    • Type of accommodation : Double roomStopover gite

    Depart from Port La Nouvelle beach and ride your mountain bike towards the limestone hills of the Corbières. Little by little you leave behind the Mediterranean garrigue and head into the vineyards of Fitou. Via single tracks you reach the gite, perched above Tuchan.
    Night in Tuchan.

  • Day 2

    From Tuchan to La Bastide

    • Distance : 50 km
    • Elevation gain : 1380 m
    • Negative gradient : 1190 m
    • Type of accommodation : Double roomStopover gite

    From brilliant mountain biking to discovering the imposing Cathar fortresses of Quéribus and Peyrepertuse, perched on the hilltops of the Corbières. Take time to enjoy the Cathar history and a fantastic panorama over the Pyrénées and Canigou. Then, a superb technical descent directs you to the foot of the Gorges de Galamus from where you will climb up to the hamlet of La Bastide
    Night in a farmer’s home, in a gite or B&B.

  • Day 3

    From La Bastide to Quillan

    • Distance : 66 km
    • Elevation gain : 1880 m
    • Negative gradient : 2045 m
    • Type of accommodation : Hotel

    A pretty descent via a single-track takes you to the foot of the Pech de Bugarach (summit of the Corbières - 1230m). Cross through green meadows before plunging into the ‘maquis’, defended by three castles - the work of the Lords of Fenouillet. Discover the fortress of the Castle of Puilaurens, perched high on its rocky peak, before riding peacefully through the beautiful forest of Fanges and its giant pine trees. Then, a beautiful descent down a single-track road towards the town of Quillan.
    Night in Quillan.

  • Day 4

    From Quillan to Comus

    • Distance : 56 km
    • Elevation gain : 1580 m
    • Negative gradient : 300 m
    • Type of accommodation : Double roomStopover gite

    Climb up onto the Plateau de Nébias, passing close to the beautiful Château de Puivert. You can also visit the museum to see musical instruments from the Middle Ages.
    Next, continue on towards the vast forest of the Plateau de Sault. Finally, a ‘balcony’ track along the Langarail hilltops takes you straight into Comus. From this small mountain village, you discover the Pyrénées. 
    Night in Comus.

  • Day 5

    From Comus to Montségur

    • Distance : 41 km
    • Elevation gain : 1290 m
    • Negative gradient : 1400 m
    • Type of accommodation : Bed & Breakfast

    Ascend the Col de Balagués to admire the superb view across the Pyrénées. Then a crazy descent, fast and then technical, to cross the fantastic Gorges de la Frau. Arrive in Montségur via the Col du Liam or the Vallée de Fougax. Optional climb up to the Pog (castle), an impenetrable citadel and refuge for the Cathar church. Night in Montségur.

  • Day 6

    From Montségur to Foix

    • Distance : 32 km
    • Elevation gain : 1050 m
    • Negative gradient : 1700 m

    A cross-country stage with a succession of descents along single-tracks. This circuit leads you to the foot of the Château de Roquefixade. Pass over small mountain passes to reach the heights of the Pech de Foix and a panoramic view across the whole surrounding area. Then, the final descent: a technical single-track takes you down towards Montgailhard and on to the  county town of Foix and its château. 
    Return transfer to Port-la-Nouvelle and the end of the trip.

  • End of trip

Travel conditions

  • Luggage

    You only carry the business of the day and the picnic. Luggage is carried by vehicle (or assistance vehicle). 1 piece/person and limited to 15kg/piece.

  • Formalities

    • A valid official ID
    • We recommend travel insurance with repatriation included

  • DEPARTURE AND MEETING POINT

    DEPARTURE AND MEETING POINT for the first leg or the two weeks: Meet on Day 1 at Port la Nouvelle SNCF train station

    How to get there:
    By car : A9 motorway
    By train: Port-la-Nouvelle SNCF train station.
    By plane: Toulouse  or Perpignan Airports then bus to Port-la-Nouvelle SNCF train station

     


    DEPARTURE AND MEETING POINT for the second leg: Meet on Day 1 at Quillan SNCF train station.

    How to get there:
    By car: Motorway to Carcassonne then D118 to Quillan. 
    By train : Carcassonne SNCF train station, then TER bus to Quillan.
    By plane : Carcassonne then shuttle bus to Quillan bus station.

     

     

  • Accommodation

    Full board. Accommodation to choose between:

    Formula lodging stage: selected in particular for the quality of their reception, you find in the cottages a friendly atmosphere. Most often you share dormitories with 4/6 people. Sheets and towels are not provided.
    Double room formula: you sleep in comfortable rooms for 2 people in hotels, guest rooms and sometimes cottages. Bed linen and towels are provided.

  • Food

    Your trip might not be the best time to diet, as it's an occasion to taste the local cuisine. We assign great importance to the quality of the food we provide: well-balanced and nutritious and providing ample energy, the specialties of the region are incorporated into each meal.

    The picnics are included in the price, made by cookers of you hotel. To avoid the production of unnecessary waste, we ask you to bring a plastic box that we could fill everyday of delights. 
     

  • Attendees

    • Departure from 2 people for the freedom formula with luggage carrying by taxi.
    • Departure from 6 people for the formula freedom with assistance vehicle.
    • Departure from 6 people for the formula with mountain bike instructor with luggage carrying by taxi.
    • Departure from 8 people for the formula with ATV instructor and assistance vehicle.

  • Difficulty level

    Physical level: 3/3
    You are durable and in good physical condition. You regularly practice mountain biking throughout the year. From 30 to 60kms per day with positive gradients from 1100 to 2100 m maximum.

    Technical level: 2/3
    You control the braking in descent and the trajectory of the bike. You will ride on paths or paths sometimes rolling, sometimes technical (steeper, with small obstacles).

  • Options

    Mountain bike hire
    There is no mountain bike hire available in Port-La-Nouvelle. However, it is possible to hire 2 types of mountain bike: full-suspension mountain bikes and full-suspension ATVs, with pick-up and drop-off handled by our partner shop in Carcassonne.

    Please contact us for more information.

    Extra night
    To make things easier for you, you can opt for an extra night at the start of the tour, in Port la Nouvelle. Our partner 3-star hotel-restaurant is on the seafront, 2 km from the station.

    Prices
    - Night in a 3-star hotel in Port la Nouvelle, single room, dinner and breakfast included: €135/person
    - Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel in Port la Nouvelle, double/twin room, dinner and breakfast included: €100/person

    Please specify your choice on the registration form.

    Accommodation : 
    - Accommodation in a double room or twin room
    Price per person: €50 /pers
    The double room option is only available for the Freedom package and is subject to availability. Please contact us for further details.

    Options subject to availability: please contact us.

  • Accompanying

    Four formulas to choose from:

    Mountain bike in freedom with carrying luggage by taxi: From 2 people.
    Equipped with the orientation material we give you: digital topo-guide and GPX tracks, you go alone to discover circuits designed by our team. You are guided by carefully prepared directions, for maximum precision.

    ATV with assistance vehicle (from 6 people):

    The assistance vehicle joins you at different times during the day’s stage, and transports your picnic, water, extra clothes and a complete toolbox in case of mechanical problems. Enjoy your day with a light bag. The driver of the vehicle also gives you advice for each step, helps you manage your effort, and can most of the time answer your questions about the region visited.

    Mountain biking with a state-certified instructor with luggage transport by taxi. Individual registration on the dates scheduled by LaRébenne. Free departure for established and private groups, contact us.
    Accompanied by a professional mountain bike certificate, you ride without worrying about the route to follow. 
    Our instructor, specialist of the region, guides you and gives you, if you wish, the right advice to make you outstanding mountain bikers. Thanks to his knowledge of the route, he adapts to your group to manage schedules and effort throughout the day. Freed from group management, your only concern is to please you on your mountain bike.

    ATV with state certified instructor and assistance vehicle (from 8 people).

Dates and price

Information

Free departure dates: you choose your own departure dates according to your availability.
For constituted groups, we adapt the level, duration, price and program on demand.

Free departure from

Price TTC per person

Formula with qualified instructor and luggage carrying by taxi
Individual registration1020€
Freedom package - stopover gîte
Registration at 2 people1180€
Registration at 3 people1040€
Registration at 4 people910€
Registration at 6 people790€
Freedom package with luggage carried by cabs - double room
Registration at 2 people1230€
Registration at 3 people1090€
Registration at 4 people980€
Registration at 6 people870€

Travel dates

  • From 13-09-2025 to 18-09-2025 There is still availability!
  • From 11-10-2025 to 16-10-2025 There is still availability!

Options

Mountain bike hire
There is no mountain bike hire available in Port-La-Nouvelle. However, it is possible to hire 2 types of mountain bike: full-suspension mountain bikes and full-suspension ATVs, with pick-up and drop-off handled by our partner shop in Carcassonne.

Please contact us for more information.

Extra night
To make things easier for you, you can opt for an extra night at the start of the tour, in Port la Nouvelle. Our partner 3-star hotel-restaurant is on the seafront, 2 km from the station.

Prices
- Night in a 3-star hotel in Port la Nouvelle, single room, dinner and breakfast included: €135/person
- Overnight stay in a 3-star hotel in Port la Nouvelle, double/twin room, dinner and breakfast included: €100/person

Please specify your choice on the registration form.

Accommodation : 
- Accommodation in a double room or twin room
Price per person: €50 /pers
The double room option is only available for the Freedom package and is subject to availability. Please contact us for further details.

Options subject to availability: please contact us.

The price includes

The return transfer Foix - Port-la-Nouvelle, with your bikes and luggage,
The reservation of accommodation,
Half board + picnic from the dinner of J1 in the evening and until the picnic of J6,
The transport of luggage.

For the freedom formula: maps, map holder, topo-guide, GPS with recorded tracks, a GPS gate.
For the formula with assistance vehicle: 1 vehicle 9 places follows the group throughout the stay.
For the formula with guide: no more problems of orientation, the qualified guide takes care of everything during the whole stay.

The price does not include

  • Accommodation the day before departure,
  • Drinks and personal expenses,
  • The picnic of the J1,
  • Mountain bikes and personal mountain bike equipment (helmets, gloves),
  • The visit of the monuments,
  • Transportation to the meeting point and insurance.

The destination

  • Pyrénées

    The Pyrenees! To summarize their beauty and diversity in a few lines would be vain ... From the green mountains of the Basque Country, to the wild lands of Ariège to the Catalan mountains with the scent of the Mediterranean, the Pyrenees are an invitation to travel.

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