Horseback riding tour of the citadels in Cathar Country
In summary
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Sports
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Duration7 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationOccitanie / Occitanie
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AgeFrom 12 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions183.67 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
Welcome to Cathar Country , starting from the charming village of Cucugnan , immortalized by Alphonse Daudet. Nestled between vineyards and olive groves , this little-known land of Languedoc reveals a wild and unspoiled nature.
This equestrian trail , ideal for both spring and autumn , takes you along the lesser-known paths of the Hautes Corbières . At your horse's pace, meander through the fragrant valleys of the garrigue before gaining altitude.
The limestone foothills then reveal immense panoramas of the mythical medieval fortresses. From the majestic citadel of Quéribus to the impressive castle of Peyrepertuse , not forgetting the fort of Aguilar , each stage immerses the rider in the heart of regional history.
Between vast uninhabited spaces and exceptional heritage, this immersion offers a true parenthesis outside of time, perfect for lovers of horseback riding and wide open spaces .
The highlights
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Reliable horses accustomed to the steep trails of the Corbières.
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The discovery of the Cathar citadels of Quéribus, Aguilar and Peyrepertuse.
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An immersion amidst scrubland, vineyards and breathtaking panoramas.
Photos
Sport
Level
Horseback riding
The expert's opinion
Riding level and physical condition
The trip is aimed at independent riders at all three gaits, comfortable on varied terrain and able to saddle and unsaddle their horse independently.
The terrain requires frequent dismounting to rest the horses, especially on descents and sometimes on certain ascents. A good level of fitness is therefore necessary to fully enjoy the ride and to navigate mountainous terrain on foot.
Children are accepted from the age of 12, with a minimum level of Galop 3, provided they are accompanied by an adult rider also participating in the ride.
For the well-being of our horses and to guarantee them suitable working conditions throughout the ride, the maximum rider weight is set at 90 kg.
For safety reasons and out of respect for animal welfare, our local expert reserves the right to interrupt your stay without refund if the required riding level is not assimilated or if the weight limit is exceeded.
In figures
Horseback riding
- Average duration/day: 6h30
Management
French
English
Floriane, a passionate rider and certified ATE guide for over 10 years, has honed her skills in France and abroad. From the Corbières to the Pyrenees, she now shares her passion for horseback riding by guiding you through wild and unspoiled landscapes, in a spirit of adventure, sharing, and conviviality.
Program
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Cucugnan
- Accommodation Unique "bubble-style" accommodation
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Riders are welcome at the equestrian farm in CUCUGNAN (11) from 6 p.m.
For those who arrive early, there is the possibility of freely visiting the Château de Quéribus and/or the pretty village of Cucugnan.
Introduction to the horses, the team and the ride, meals and overnight stay at the campsite with unusual accommodations: old caravans, yurt, Airstream…
Day 1 -
Quéribus
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 5h30
- Accommodation Unique "bubble-style" accommodation
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Mounting our horses, we head towards the heights of Cucugnan, crossing their winter pastures and arriving at the foot of the impressive Quéribus castle. From the top of the keep, we can admire splendid panoramas of the still snow-capped Pyrenees and, further on, the sea.
In the afternoon, we ride on the Padern plateaus and discover even more new panoramas of the Corbières and the Verdouble valley.
Meals and overnight stay in Cucugnan.
Day 2 -
Cucugnan - Tuchan
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We take the "Cathar Trail" eastward. We wind our way through the Grau de Padern gorges and, around a bend in the path, a magnificent view opens up before us over the Tuchan plain, overlooked by its Aguilar castle (the eagle's castle). This wine-growing region produces the great wines of Fitou, as well as Corbières and Rivesaltes.
Night at the St Roch gîte, a beautifully renovated former sheepfold. From the terrace, we enjoyed an extraordinary view.
Day 3 -
Tuchan - Terms
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 6h30
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We leave the cultivated fields behind and head into the Hautes Corbières massif along pretty paths through the Tauch mountain and holm oaks. In just a few strides, we reach the Plateau du Prat de Labat.
We will have our picnic break in Féline-Termenès and then head towards Termes along a pretty path through the garrigue.
Overnight stay and meals in Termes.
Day 4 -
Terms - Le Bouchard
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 7h30
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We depart from Termes via Les Plas to reach Laroque-de-Fa, then continue to the Col de Souleilla and Col de Redoulade via the beautiful forest tracks of the Forêt de l'Orme-Mort. We cross the hamlet of Les Baillessats and enter the Domaine du Bouchard, a magnificent 300-hectare estate where wild boar, mouflon, deer, and other animals roam freely.
Meals and overnight stay at the Bouchard gîte.
Day 5 -
Le Bouchard - Cucugnan
- Activity Horseback riding
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation Unique "bubble-style" accommodation
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
For this final day, we leave Le Bouchard for the Château de Peyrepertuse, which in the Middle Ages was the largest fortress in Europe. This castle has acquired many evocative nicknames: "the stone ship," "the citadel of vertigo," "the celestial Carcassonne." We return to Mediterranean vegetation, vineyards and olive groves, near the villages of Duilhac and then Cucugnan.
Last evening and night in Cucugnan
Day 6 -
Cucugnan
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Breakfast and the end of this wonderful adventure.
Day 7
Note
This program is provided for informational purposes only. The itinerary and stages may be adapted according to weather conditions, trail conditions, or any other constraints encountered on the ground. These adjustments are made to best ensure the safety and well-being of the riders and horses.
The times spent on horseback are also given as a guide.
Accommodation
Access
A transfer to and from Perpignan train station can be arranged on Sunday for your arrival and Saturday for your departure. Please contact us to find out the transfer times and arrange your pick-up.
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- The hike will be led by a qualified ATE guide.
- The provision of the horse and its equipment for the entire duration of the ride
- Accommodation from Sunday evening to Saturday morning, in gîtes, bed and breakfasts, mountain huts/hotels and staffed mountain huts depending on the stage
- Meals included during your stay, from Sunday dinner to Saturday breakfast
- The Friday evening transfer to collect the vehicles at the starting point
- Luggage transport between accommodations when provided for during the stage
Please note: during the leg to Camporells, no luggage transfer is possible. You must carry only the bare essentials for the night in your horse's saddlebags.
The price does not include
- Transportation to the meeting point and from the departure point at the end of the stay
- Personal expenses
- Drinks and snacks outside of meals
- Personal insurance, particularly individual accident insurance for riders
- Any service or benefit not mentioned in the "What's included" section
Options
- Transfers to Perpignan train station : On request
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
- On request: large rain poncho, water bottle, sleeping bag liner
Equipment to bring
- A riding helmet (mandatory)
- One or more water bottles to carry 2L of water
- A sleeping bag (comfort rating 10°C) - for mountain hikes: comfort rating 0°C to +5°C; a sleeping bag liner is also comfortable inside sleeping bags.
- A pocket knife
- A phone charger
- A headlamp
- Toiletries (and towel)
- Earplugs for nights in dormitories
- Personal pharmacy
Clothing to bring
- A cap or hat for the sun
- A waterproof rain jacket covering the thighs
- Waterproof overtrousers
- A pair of waterproof walking shoes with chaps or mini-chaps (riding boots not recommended)
- Riding breeches or comfortable jeans-type trousers
- A scarf or shawl for the neck or face
- A pair of high-protection sunglasses
- Cotton or quick-drying technical t-shirts + long-sleeved shirts
- A lightweight fleece + a warm fleece or equivalent
- A spare pair of trousers
- A swimsuit (optional for "wild showers")
- A pair of sneakers or light shoes for the evening
- Several pairs of socks
- A pair of gloves (sun, cold, friction)
The Floriane team
Our local expert offers multi-day horseback riding tours of 2 to 7 days, from mid-April to the end of October, in small groups of no more than 10 riders. From the Cathar Corbières to the Catalan Pyrenees, he invites you to embark on an adventure on sure-footed, spirited horses, through wild landscapes and exceptional heritage.
