Distance: 32,2 km
Level: Difficult
Elevation: 814 D +
1 reviews
Departure: MOUX
boucle
MTB Black
This route follows the "Cap sur l'Alaric" hike, organized by the local club "La Fumade." It comprises two loops: one on the slopes of the Alaric mountain with a singletrack trail up the hill to Fontcouverte, then from Combe Douzelle to Combe Torte, and a pleasant descent at the end. The other loop takes you to the ridges of Rocher du Renard, with the added bonus of a beautiful descent towards Conilhac. Points of interest: Moux: Henri Bataille's tomb, ruins of St. Pierre Castle. Fontcouverte: Fontcalel fountain. Conilhac: Place du Lavoir (wash house square). Viewpoints: Between Moux and Fontcouverte: La Côte, Gourgouniou, Col de Fourty, St. Pierre Castle. Above Fontcouverte: Le Trote-Cos and the Lagrasse path before Les Vals (viewpoint overlooking the Alaric mountain). Montbrun des Corbières: Rocher du Renard (Fox Rock). Conilhac: The Rock of Mignonet.
Ranking & labels
- MTB-FFC sites
- Vignobles et Découvertes
Your itinerary
SOFT
IGN map reference (s): IGN 2445 East Lézignan-Cres, IGN 2446 East Ferrals les Corbières - blue series, IGN 2446 West Capendu
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Step 1
From the cooperative cellar, take the D2113 (avenue H. BATAILLE) for approximately 500m, towards the village.
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Step 2
Then turn right (south) onto Rue Prosper Mestre Huc (GR77 sign). You will pass the tomb of Henri Bataille (a curious Renaissance marble fountain on which rests a reproduction of the "Transi of René de Chalon" by the animal sculptor François Pompon. It is located in front of the family crypt, behind an enclosure containing various poems by Bataille). Go under the motorway bridge and follow the road for 400m to the place called "Four à Chaux" (Lime Kiln).
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Step 3
At the information panel in the parking area, the GR 77 and PR trails ascend to the right, while the mountain bike route turns left (east). After 500m, the path turns left again (north) to follow a track that initially runs alongside a vineyard and then climbs the hillside.
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Step 4
Having arrived at the greenhouse (summit part), the short circuit on the right (East) leads to the village of Fontcouverte via the almond tree path.
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Step 5
The trail crosses the village due south towards the Fontcalel Fountain. The route then shares a section with the "Around La Peyrouse" PR (marked in yellow) until the two paths diverge at the intersection north of the hamlet of "Les Vals". Note that once past the summit (185m altitude), the two paths separate for approximately 700m before rejoining at the hamlet.
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Step 6
From the bypass around the locality known as "Les Vals", take the track descending to the left (South) until you reach a junction. Turn right (West) and continue for 600m. This section is shared with circuit 12 of Camplong d'Aude (in the opposite direction).
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Step 7
From there, the route climbs to join the track leading to the Alaric summit, notably crossing the Douzelle and Torte valleys. On the track leading to the summit, a sign will indicate "ATTENTION, MOUNTAIN BIKES ONLY" with an arrow pointing to the right; follow this new direction.
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Step 8
The descent is 300 meters along a wide path nestled in a dense wood of holm oaks, broom, and rockrose. At the bottom of this descent, the route joins the GR 77 trail. Turn right towards the Fontaine des Jonc (Northwest) and descend for 2 km to the "Lime Kilns". Along the way, you can stop at the ruins of Saint-Pierre Castle and enjoy the view (an interpretive panel explains the history of the site).
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Step 9
The route returns to Moux along the same route as on the outward journey. At the intersection with the D2113 in the center of the village, follow the traces of the GR 77 via rue Théron and rue de la Calade. We will leave the GR 77 after passing under the D6113. The route continues for 600m on the road before turning right (East) on a track for around a hundred meters. A single track then begins to climb the Picarelle hill.
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Step 10
The singletrack trail joins a track used by the Montbrun-des-Corbières PR (local hiking trail) "LE ROCHER DU RENARD" (The Fox Rock). The mountain bike route takes this track in the opposite direction to the right (southeast). The loop continues along the summit ridge, which offers a beautiful view of the Alaric mountain and the Lézignan plain. After 1 km along the ridge, the mountain bike trail markings veer left (north).
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Step 11
Heading north up the mountain range, the route follows a series of tracks and wide paths. This entire section runs in the opposite direction to the "LE ROCHER DU RENARD" PR (local hiking trail). After 1,2 km from the "LA CÔTE de FONTCOUVERTE" sign, the path branches off to the right (east) on a singletrack trail winding between boxwood, kermes oaks, or simply dry grass and thyme. It then rejoins a track running alongside a wide track.
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Step 12
We begin the descent by leaving this track. The singletrack reforms and plunges into a pine forest bordering a thalweg on the northeast side of the plateau. The route then emerges onto a rocky outcrop shared with the PR "la Lausine" trail from Conilhac-Corbières.
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Step 13
The route continues along the eastern slope of the hill. After a left turn, two paths appear. Take the left-hand (east) path. After a 350m descent, you will reach the village.
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Step 14
The waymarking leads us to the old village center and the "Petit foyer" (Michel Olive room). From the square, take the D165 road to Montbrun des Corbières and continue to the Col de la Portenelle pass.
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Step 15
From the Col de la Portenelle, leave the D165 and turn left (west) onto the track for 350m. The route then turns to the right (North) to take a single track along the summit ridge for 1km. The view opens onto the Minervois and the Montagne Noire…and the Pic de Nore at its summit.
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Step 16
Stage 16 – Find the track (and the yellow markings of the PR “Le rocher du renard” shared for 300m. Continue straight ahead. The track will descend the North side of the hill towards Montbrun-des-Corbières.
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Step 17
Upon reaching the first houses, the route turns left (west) onto a track for 300m. At the intersection, take the path on the right. After 600m, the circuit turns left for 300m to reach the D65 road. Turn left (southwest) and return to Moux via the same route as before.
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!
Reviews
Stéphane
The April 16 2022
Tough. We barely made it through the first loop, and on e-bikes no less. The singletrack and numerous portages really exhausted us. Beautiful route. We'll be back, fitter.
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