From the Mediterranean to Foix, the GR367 strings together the castles of Cathar Country, from the Corbières to the Sault plateau and the Pays d’Olmes.
231 km 143.5 mi13 stages7,300 m 23,950 ft ascentHigh point 1,354 m 4,442 ftPort-la-Nouvelle → Foix
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Elevation profile: from 1 m to 1,350 m over 230.9 km.
The GR367 at a glance
The GR367, or Cathar Trail, links the Mediterranean to the first mountains of the Pyrenees: it starts from Port-la-Nouvelle, on the Aude coast, and ends in Foix, in the Ariège. It takes its name from Catharism, a medieval religious movement suppressed in the 13th century, whose history remains bound up with the castles that line the route.
The trail leaves the sea for the vineyards of the Corbières, passes through Durban-Corbières and Tuchan, at the foot of Mont Tauch, then strings together the clifftop citadels: Aguilar, Padern, Quéribus, Peyrepertuse. It also goes through the Galamus gorges, with the Saint-Antoine hermitage, and passes close to the Pech de Bugarach. Further west, two routes are offered, one via Quillan, the other via Caudiès-de-Fenouillèdes, Axat and Labeau; they meet up near Nébias, before Puivert and the Sault plateau, perched between 1,000 and 1,300 m above sea level.
The last part, in the Ariège, crosses the Pays d’Olmes and reaches Montségur, symbol of the end of Catharism in 1244, then the castle of Roquefixade, before descending to Foix and its castle. The red-and-white waymarking combines the GR367 and its variant, the GR367A, to link the main sites.
The Cathar Trail is for hikers in good shape: the walking days are often long and the cell signal is weak or non-existent over much of the route. It is best walked in spring or fall, when the heat remains bearable.
Highlights
Starting from the beaches of Port-la-Nouvelle and finishing at the foot of Foix castle.
Taking in one castle of Cathar Country after another: Aguilar, Quéribus, Peyrepertuse, Puilaurens, Puivert, Montségur, Roquefixade.
Crossing the vineyards of the Corbières before reaching the heights of the Sault plateau.
Going through the Galamus gorges and passing close to the Pech de Bugarach.
Choosing between two routes to reach Puivert, via Quillan or via Axat.
Reaching both the start and the finish by train, at Port-la-Nouvelle and at Foix.
Practical information
Start
Port-la-Nouvelle
Port-la-Nouvelle has a TER (liO) station with direct trains to Narbonne and Perpignan. The liO Narbonne – Estagel coach line also serves Durban-Corbières, the end of the first stage.
Finish
Foix
Foix has a station on the Toulouse line; a connection in Toulouse lets you reach Carcassonne.
When to go
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The trail can be walked all year round, but spring and fall are the most pleasant: in July and August, temperatures quickly approach 40°C. In late spring, patches of old snow may linger between Bugarach and Foix.
Difficulty
Challenging
Ariège Pyrénées Tourisme rates it at level 3 out of 5: long walking days, climbs up to the clifftop castles and, in summer, heat that makes progress harder going.
Accommodation
6 gîtes, 22 B&Bs, 11 hotels, and 15 campgrounds
The stages rely mainly on gîtes and hotels, with a wider choice in Foix (hotels, youth hostel). Aude Tourisme advises checking by phone that the gîtes are open; it is also best to book ahead. A luggage transfer service, La Malle Postale, carries bags from stage to stage.
Rules to know
According to Aude Tourisme, bivouacking is tolerated from 7 pm to 9 am and campfires are forbidden. The first stage was affected by the fire of August 2025: the trail reopened on May 13, 2026, and a diversion is in place at Villesèque-des-Corbières until December 2026. The route was also changed between Puivert and Comus in 2025.
Water and supplies
You can stock up along the stages, but water becomes scarce in summer: set off every morning with enough in reserve. The cell signal is weak or non-existent over much of the route; a power bank is useful.
The GR367 on the map
The 13 stages
TrekGR stage plan: each stage ends where you can sleep. Actual walking time excluding breaks (DIN 33466 standard).
Avoid July and August, or start very early in the morning to walk in the cool.
Carry at least one large water bottle or a hydration bladder, and fill it in every village.
Phone the gîtes before setting off to check they are open, especially out of season.
Before setting off, find out about any diversions in place and about restrictions on access to the hills during periods of fire risk.
Keep a rain jacket and a warm layer: mornings are cool on the Sault plateau and a storm can break quickly.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Cathar Trail start and finish?
The GR367 starts from Port-la-Nouvelle, on the Aude coast, and ends in Foix, in the Ariège. Both towns have a railway station.
Can you bivouac on the Cathar Trail?
According to Aude Tourisme, bivouacking is tolerated from 7 pm to 9 am. Lighting a campfire is forbidden.
When is the best time to walk the Cathar Trail?
Spring and fall, especially May–June and September–October. In July and August, the heat and the lack of water make walking difficult.
Is the Cathar Trail open after the 2025 fire?
Yes. According to Aude Tourisme, the trail reopened on May 13, 2026, including the first stage affected by the fire of August 2025. A diversion remains in place at Villesèque-des-Corbières until December 2026.
Can you have your luggage transported on the Cathar Trail?
Yes, La Malle Postale offers a paid service carrying luggage from stage to stage.
Which castles do you see on the Cathar Trail?
The route passes, among others, Aguilar, Padern, Quéribus, Peyrepertuse, Puilaurens, Puivert, Montségur, Roquefixade and Foix, depending on the route chosen between the Corbières and Puivert.
Route: OpenStreetMap contributors. Elevation: IGN’s RGE ALTI®, one point every 50 m. Text checked on November 10, 2026.
