The Bonshommes Trail

Your adventure begins in the famous “Pink City,” Toulouse, seat of the Counts of Toulouse who played a pivotal role in the turbulent history of the Cathars. A visit to the Jacobins’ Cloister and the Basilica of Saint-Sernin — a masterpiece of Romanesque art — sets the historical scene for the crossing ahead.

First day
This stage starts near the Pech de Foix. Exploring the forests of Pradières fills this first day of hiking, which ends at the Château de Roquefixade with a breathtaking view over the peaks of the Tabe massif.

Second day
After visiting the Château de Roquefixade and taking in the superb panorama over the mountains of the Pays d’Olmes, you walk through the forest towards the Château de Montségur — one of the most important Cathar sites.

Third day
You can begin the day with a visit to the Château de Montségur. This stage marks the transition from the Montségur area to the Pays de Sault, where Mediterranean influences begin to make themselves felt. The forest gives way to the Gorges de la Frau, then the Sault plateau.

Fourth day
A fine stage that takes you to the Col de Balaguès, where a superb panorama over the entire central Pyrenean chain unfolds before you. You then pass through the village of Montaillou, whose castle was the last Cathar stronghold in Upper Ariège.

Fifth day
The crowning moment of this day is the ascent to the Col de Joux via the Orlu valley. From the top of the pass, a full 360° panorama opens before you! Once in Mérens, don’t miss the hot springs, tucked away in an unspoilt spot. In the village, you’ll also find an 11th century Catalan-style Romanesque church.

Sixth day
The pastoral Campcardos valley sets the scene for the first half of the day, leading to the tri-national border (France, Spain, Andorra) at the Portella Blanca (2,517 m). Then come the Coll Dels Isards and the Pic Negre d’Envalira, followed by a transfer to Bellver de Cerdanya from Porta.

Seventh day
After crossing the Serra del Cadí, the vegetation turns more Mediterranean; the scents change. The terrain eases within the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park. The stage ends at the Sant Jordi mountain refuge.

Eighth day
Passing at the foot of the Pedraforca — a mineral fortress of a mountain — the parallel with the Castell de Gósol is unmistakable: it once guarded a region where the Cathars sought shelter. This day is a genuine journey back in time, ending in the ancient village of Gósol, in the heart of the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park.

Ninth day
After a transfer from Gósol to Fumanya, this final stage leads you to the Sanctuary of Queralt through Mediterranean forest before finishing in Berga, where many Cathars from the Languedoc once found refuge. In the distance, the mountains of Montserrat shimmer on the horizon.