Distance: 22,4 km
Duration (average) : 02:30pm
Level: Difficult
Elevation: 830 D +
Departure: TALAIRAN
boucle
MTB Black
At the crossroads of the eastern and western Corbières, the FFC 198 mountain biking trail (circuit 24) offers a comprehensive exploration of the Corbières massif. Hills, commonly known locally as "pech," can be climbed and descended via tracks or narrower paths winding through the maquis shrubland. Flat sections provide opportunities to relax and enjoy the scenery. Each hill offers a view, near or far. The Alaric mountain and the Pic de Nore form the backdrop to the north, while to the east, the Saint-Victor mountain and the wind turbines of Villesèque-des-Corbières stand out. To the south, descents through the maquis or on wider tracks offer exceptional views of the Canigou massif and Mont Tauch, while to the west, the Pech Bugarach and the Capcir mountains loom on the horizon. This route offers a great, physically demanding ride with a historical aspect. It follows tracks and paths at the edge of three municipalities: Talairan, Albas, and Villerouge-Termenès. The 22.4km route, covering 9km², offers several challenging descents as well as more leisurely sections. As they approach the Pech de Guilloumet, mountain bikers can also take the opportunity to discover interpretive panels along a nearby trail dedicated to the history of mining in the area.
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Your itinerary
1
Step 1
From the parking area on the Fourques & St Rome departmental property, the blue and black trails follow the same route. Leave the D40 departmental road and follow the track climbing southwards up the northern slope of the Pech de la Boulière. The view will gradually open up to the east (E) over the Albas valley and, in the distance, to Mont Saint-Victor (NE) and the wind turbines of Villesèque-des-Corbières (E). After one kilometer, the route reaches two successive intersections. Turn right (west) and then right again. The track climbs slightly (90m elevation gain over 950m). Halfway along, a sign and a barrier mark the departmental property boundary. Both trails continue along the same path for another 400m to an intersection. The black trail then heads off onto the left-hand track (south) while the blue trail continues westwards.
2
Step 2
The trail climbs towards the summit of the "Sarrat de Lacamp de Madame." Open spaces in the scrubland offer views of the surrounding area. Mount Alaric dominates the view to the north, and beyond it, the Montagne Noire (Black Mountain) can be glimpsed. After passing the summit, the route descends southwards for 400 meters. The trail then leaves the track and plunges into the scrubland. A slightly more challenging section begins, leading into the dense woods and offering a taste (260 meters) of some descents to come. The track is characterized by its churned and stony surface throughout. At the end of this first descent, the route crosses a track and continues downhill until it joins another track in a small valley (running alongside the Vicence stream).
3
Step 3
After a bend, the trail opens onto a wide open space with several paths. Our route runs straight ahead before skirting Pech Montredon in a clockwise direction. A second challenging section through the maquis begins as you leave this track. For 1.23 km, the mountain biker rides through dense maquis. The first 600 meters are a descent on a track of plowed earth and stones with a few switchbacks (600m, 50m descent). The second part is less winding and leads to a descending track (630m, 50m descent). At the intersection, turn right (south) and descend the valley until you reach another intersection. Turn right again (west) and follow the Abellanies stream for 1.3 km.
4
Step 4
At the end of this long descent, the route reaches a junction in a clearing with three possible directions. The black trail makes a sharp turn to climb back up into the Fenouillères woods (east). Upon reaching the summit, the path widens. A long descent begins towards the locality known as "Fenouillères." This 2,3km stage is divided into three sections. The first is a 450m descent to a junction; go straight ahead and continue for about 100m. The second, more challenging section descends via a series of narrow switchbacks, still through the maquis shrubland. The third section joins the track 550m further on. The route crosses this track to climb the embankment opposite and continues along the southern slope of the hill for 300m. The path then turns at a right angle to reach the locality 400m further on.
5
Step 5
From the hamlet of "Fenouillères," go around the old building (southwest). A few hundred meters further on, the trail leaves the track at a bend and continues straight ahead (west). Two more intersections will come very quickly. Turn left at the first and then right at the second. After 700m, the trail reaches a five-way intersection. The route continues northwest on an uphill track (350m, 50m elevation gain) and crosses another intersection; continue straight ahead. At the end of this uphill track, the route reaches a pass (altitude 485m) with several paths. Head towards the track with the sign for "Forêt départementale de Saint-Rome & Fenouillères" (Saint-Rome & Fenouillères Departmental Forest).
6
Step 6
From the aforementioned departmental sign, the route follows the eastern flank of the Pech de Guilloumet. Ignore the two (narrower) paths climbing to the left (west). The trail markers then follow the southern slope of the Serre du Mau to another intersection (four-way junction). Go straight ahead and descend the slope via a switchback path through the maquis (660m). The route emerges onto a track. Turn left and follow the track uphill for 1km (ignore the path on the left at 750m). Here you will reach a junction where the two routes (black and blue) meet – the blue route arrives from the right. Turn left (west).
7
Step 7
The route reaches a five-way intersection 300m further on (on this section, the blue trail runs in the opposite direction, towards the East). This intersection requires particular attention as the trail will cross it again a little later. Up to this intersection, the track is bordered on the left by holm oaks and a meadow on the right. At the intersection, bear slightly left then go straight ahead. Continue for 500m. Ignore the two tracks coming from the right and head South then Southeast for 300m. At the intersection, the route takes the track that climbs to the right to reach the Lacamp plateau (for the first 350 meters, the blue trail will be in the opposite direction). The route arrives at a pass at the foot of the Pech de Guilloumet. This point is marked by an enclosure blocking access to Palairac with a cattle grid (Southwest) as well as directional signs for our mountain bike trail (Southeast) and grey directional signs for the Palairac Mines Trail. Follow the directional sign descending to the left.
8
Step 8
The mountain bike trail descends 230m along a path down the eastern slope of the peak and joins a track. Turn left (north). The track will then veer to the right (east). Continue straight ahead for 1km. At the end of this section, the trail reaches an intersection. Turn left (north). 50m further on, ignore the path coming from the left and continue straight ahead. The trail climbs the southern slope of the Sarrat du Cabirou for 300m (20m elevation gain), crosses the pass, and descends for 250m (20m elevation loss). The route continues to the left (northwest) to reach a five-way intersection. Continue straight ahead for 200m to reach a track leading to the Lacamp hut. Turn right and follow the track for 350m to the hut with its picnic table.
9
Step 9
The final stage takes us back to Fourques and Saint-Rome. The route follows a footpath (northwest) and descends for 2,5 km (190 m descent). The wide, grassy track initially descends gently for 700 m. There are three intersections in the first 700 meters. Throughout this section, always turn right at all three intersections. Finally, the route reaches a north/south junction. Turn left (north) and take the stony track for 950 m. Halfway along, the view opens up to the Fourques valley, Talairan, the Alaric mountain, and the Montagne Noire. Two consecutive signs will remind users to cross the D40 departmental road to reach the other side. There, go past the barrier, then turn right (east) and return to the starting point.
Be careful, the fire risk is often high, especially in summer, and can lead to flower bed closures. Find out before you go consulting the fire risk map for outdoor activities.
Fires strictly prohibited. Do not smoke and never throw cigarette butts in nature. Fires are numerous and catastrophic in our region. In the event of a fire or accident: give alert 18 or 112 from a cell phone.
Protect yourself from the sun and take enough water with you.
Avoid picking flowers and plants. Take all your trash. Close fences and keep dogs on a leash in pasture areas, villages and protected areas.
Mountain bike routes: the routes are often shared with hikers or other users (cars, tractors, etc.). Be careful and always anticipate that a pedestrian may be present around a bend to have time to brake if necessary. Pedestrians have priority in principle, slow down at crossings or stop if the configuration of the terrain requires you to do so.
Thank you and happy hiking!
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