The ‘Traversée du Soleil’ by mountain bike

(Possibility to cut the stage short between the 23rd and 30th kilometres)
 

Departing from the city of Carcassonne and the foothills of Minervois, you head south towards the mountainous landscape of the Pyrenees.

This first step passes between vineyards and the Mediterranean garrigue. We follow excellent, locally well-known, single-track, valley routes. At the 24th kilometre we pass next to an abbey. Then, a beautiful and rapid climb through the forest to reach the high point from where you will start a great descent along single-tracks to arrive in the little village in the Aude region.

But it is not over- we suggest another climb to reach a perfect single-track descent back into the same village. Then along the bank of the Loquet, a gentle ride to your accommodation for the night. 
A really beautiful mountain-biking stage!

Night on a full-board basis in a domaine. 

8km of quiet, country lanes to warm up the legs, then a pleasant track through a small and somewhat wild valley. A path across a grazing meadow, being careful to close gates behind you, allows you to climb Pech; a prominent peak with exceptional panoramic views over the Pic de Bugarach…

Next, a fast descent towards the beautiful chateau and lake of Arques. Then, back up through the forest in search of the Serre Guilhem, and a magnificent single-track bridlepath along mountainside balconies towards Sougraigne.

Night in a hotel or guesthouse on a full-board basis. 

A pretty route takes us first by the Fontaine Salée (Salty Fountain!) before we reach a gate and the reward which awaits us; a playful single-track plunging us down towards a famous village. The small lane then climbs towards a mountain pass. Here you will ‘stroll’ for 1km under the Pic de Bugarach before reaching high plateaus that open up to deliver superb panoramic views, before a quick descent to Caudiès.

From Caudiès de Fenouillèdes, you enter the spectacular Gorges de St Jaume (optional, as it is not well adapted to mountain bikes). The path is narrow, perched above the torrent, and handlebars only just pass through the footbridges. Enjoy the show as far as the waterfall…

The climb then continues between the two chateaus of La Vilasse. The long trail crosses the forest before descending to a small village at the end of the earth.

Night in a ***hotel on a full-board basis.

In the morning, we take a beautiful and rolling climb through the forest to reach a succession of mountain passes, which lead us on to the principal high point at 1320m from which a panorama opens up over plateaus of summer pastures and, notably, the Catalan giant - Canigou. Having crossed over the plateau of Castellane via paths and playful single-tracks, we have a very beautiful descent towards one of the prettiest Catalan villages.

Night in a hotel in Prades, on a full-board basis.

Today, it is the end of the Fenouillèdes as we are welcomed into the ‘Pyrénees du Soleil’ and French Catalonia. Having played in the foothills of the Massif du Canigou, you take a small road which gently leads you towards a celebrated mountain pass. From there, and passing through the beautiful forest of St Marsal, you join a superb balcony track following the old Formentera mine railway and from which several viewpoints offer views over the Mediterranean. After a little more playtime in the hills, you test out the pretty descent into Amélie les Bains.

Night in a hotel on a full-board basis. 

A beautiful mountain biking stage with a succession of trails and playful paths, through the foothills of the Pyrenees and the border ridge. Having crossed through several Catalan villages, you start your climb towards the Col de L’Ullat, in the magnificent forest of Albères, to reach your refuge for the night at 1000m altitude.

Night in a mountain refuge on a full-board basis. 

This is the final mountain bike stage, but not the least! Setting off from the refuge, you arrive at the border ridge from where the panoramic view is just extraordinary: the Bay of Rosas, the Cadaques mountains, as well as the plain of Figueras which unravels below your feet.

Cross the border and descend more than 700m towards a XIII century Spanish castle. After crossing through some eye-opening granite landscapes, you reach the border ridge to reenter France and, via a very pretty forest track, you arrive above Banyuls and savour a magnificent and particularly playful descent  into the village and its famous beach. 
End of trip.