+44 203 1294634Find your perfect trip
Languedoc - Route des Cathers cycling
- Relaxed cycling along very quiet backroads
- Start and end in world-famous Carcassonne
- Historical fortresses of the Cathars, like Quéribus and Peyrepertuse
- Splendid French countryside with natural beauties like the Gorge de Galamus
- Interesting wine-tasting area: from deep red Corbieres to sparkling Limoux
- Lagrasse, one of the most beautiful villages of France
From: 670 €
Tripcode: FRSC070
1 Comfort
Level 1 - EN:
Simple accommodation, often with multiple rooms like huts, cottages or guesthouses. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with shared bathrooms. All camping trips fall into this category.
Level 1 - EN:
Simple accommodation, often with multiple rooms like huts, cottages or guesthouses. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with shared bathrooms. All camping trips fall into this category.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
:
:
1 Difficulty
Level 1:
Walking levels:
Trips with short walks of generally three to four hours (excluding breaks) and/or optional day excursions; flat or slightly hilly terrain using well kept paths.
Cycling levels:
Easy biking in nearly flat landscape; also possible for people with little or no bicycle experience. The daily distances are approximately 30-50 km in general. Bicycles with up to 3 gears can do the job. All our adult rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 1:
Walking levels:
Trips with short walks of generally three to four hours (excluding breaks) and/or optional day excursions; flat or slightly hilly terrain using well kept paths.
Cycling levels:
Easy biking in nearly flat landscape; also possible for people with little or no bicycle experience. The daily distances are approximately 30-50 km in general. Bicycles with up to 3 gears can do the job. All our adult rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
:
:
Duration: 7 days
Details
Cycling the Languedoc-Roussillon
Start and end in famous Carcassonne, a Medieval jewel dating from the 11th century. And in between, a beautiful cycling tour through the mysterious land of the Cathars. Follow very quiet backroads through deep gorges and sunny wine-producing villages. Pass the ingenious 'Canal du Midi', cycling below steep high cliffs and through lush Mediterranean vegetation. Spend the night in the small but beautiful town of Lagrasse. Take the opportunity to taste sparkling wine in Limoux, birthplace of real 'champagne'. Last but not least, enjoy the splendid vistas from fortresses like those of Quéribus and Peyrepertuse, remnants of the mysterious Cathar people.
Itinerary
Expand itinerary Collapse itineraryDay 1: Arrival in Carcassonne
Arrival in Carcassonne. After your check-in, visit the Medieval town with its castle, the double walls surrounding the city, the cathedral of St. Nazaire, the narrow streets with cobblestones or one of the interesting museums.
Villages along the way: Carcassonne
Day 2: From Carcassonne to Lagrasse
Start along the 'Canal du Midi', a 17th-century hydraulic masterpiece. You pass Capendu and then do a lovely ascent to enjoy a splendid panorama across the rough Corbières. You'll cycle through the splendid Gorge d'Alsou before reaching the Medieval bishop town of Lagrasse, where you can visit the Benedictine abbey of Sainte-Marie l'Orbieu, founded in 799.
Challenge: 45 km
Villages along the way: Capendu, Montlaur, Ribaute, Lagrasse
Day 3: From Lagrasse to Cucugnan
Cycle further south through the Tuscany-like countryside of the Corbières and then choose between two routes. One along the Orbieu river to the Cathar fortress Château Termes. And the other to the charming village of Villerouge-Termenès and the castle of the last 'Bonhomme' of the Cathars. Enjoy spectacular vistas, beautiful gorges and peaceful villages. End up in the pituresque wine-producing village of Cucugnan, where you'll spend two nights.
Challenge: 42 km or 54 km
Villages along the way: Villerouge-Termenès, Davejean, Maisons, Cucugnan
Day 4: Circular route from Cucugnan
Cucugnan is just a few kilometres from Quéribus and Peyrepertuse, the most spectacular Cathar castles, which are a must to visit. Real cyclists will want to combine those visits with a marvellous cycling tour through the Gorge de Galamus, one of the most beautiful canyons in Southern France.
Challenge: 50 km
Villages along the way: Maury, Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet, Soulatge, Dulhac-Sous-Peyrepertuse
Day 5: From Cucugnan to Sougraigne
En route today: beautiful views, charming villages and a rushing river to swim in. Cycle in the shadow of Peyrepertuse across rolling hills to the tumbled mountain called Pic de Bugarach, an impressive monolithic rock formation. The last 10 kilometres are nearly flat and you end the day in the pretty village of Sougraigne in the valley of the Sals. And if you've some energy left, visit the spa city of Rennes-les-Bains (6 km).
Challenge: 33 km or 41 km
Villages along the way: Dulhac-Sous-Peyrepertuse, Soulatge, Auriac, Fourtou, Sougraigne
Day 6: From Sougraigne to Limoux
Although the start is a short steep climb, the rest of this cycing route follows mainly flat and quiet roads. Pedal to Rennes-le-Château to solve the mystery of Berenger Saunière, and visit the 16th-century Château des Ducs de Joyeuse in Couiza. Cycle through rolling vineyards and dreamy villages. In Limoux, taste the local sparkling 'Blanquette' or 'Cremant'.
Challenge: 31 km or 36 km
Villages along the way: Rennes-le-Château, Couiza, Limoux.
Day 7: End of the tour
After breakfast your trip ends. You can take a 30 min train trip back to Carcassonne, in which you can take your bike with you. If you are with your car then you can cycle about 27 km to Carcassonne, pick up your car and return for your luggage. Luggage transfer for this day is not included.
Villages along the way: Carcassonne
Practical info
Included:
- All overnights on rooms with ensuite bathroom
- All breakfasts
- 4x dinner
- Luggage transport
- S-cape information package with route description and maps
Not Included:
- Other meals
- 2x dinner
- Bike rental
How to get there:
The best arrival airports are Carcassonne and Toulouse, which is also served by several low cost carriers. From the train station in Toulouse you can easyly reach Carcassonne, the starting point of this trip.
Reviews
Start: Carcassonne
Finish: Carcassonne
Dates & prices
Trip availability: From April 15th until 30th June - September 1st until October 25th
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| Double room-double: | 670 €/person |
| Single room: | 855 €/person |
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| Double room-double: | 725 €/person |
| Single room: | 925 €/person |
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| Double room-double: | 725 €/person |
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| Single room: | 925 €/person |
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| Double room-double: | 670 €/person |
| Single room: | 855 €/person |
Other prices
Bike rental (6 days). 93€
Bike rental (extra day). 6€