Circuit de Cucugnan - Chateau Quéribus

This is a very beautiful walk indeed. The Chateau Quéribus is very impressive, obviously, and once you see it for the first time coming up the steep climb from Cucugnan you can hardly believe what you see, but the natural surroundings are just as overwhelming, with extensive views in a 360 degrees panorama, including the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees. This walk is an abolute must for everyone who likes walking.

We parked our car at the bottom end of the small road leading up to Cucugnan from the D14 and picked up the signposted walk called the 'Boucle de Quéribus'. You cannot see the castle from here and you won't see it for another hour at least but you will enjoy the climb along the steep ridge after you have walked gradually up through the vineyards for slightly more than a kilometer.

When, after the vineyards, the signposted track turns sharply to the left you will begin a steep ascent from 320 to 600 metres but the views, especially towards Cucugnan are rewarding.

Shortly after you have reached 600 metres you will get your first glimpse of the majestically situated castle and you will remain more or less on this height until you reach the car park and the ticket office at the beginning of the track that leads up to the castle itself, the highest point of which, on top of the tower, is slightly above 700 metres.

The inside of the castle is not spectacular but the views from the various floors, windows, and especially from the top of the tower are unrivalled.

Back at the parking place we took a track to the right which is not well signposted but, on the other hand, rather self evident, certainly after you start to turn to the left and see Cucugnan splendidily situated in the valley. The descent is as beautiful as it is easy and you will be able to walk in a relaxed way and take your time to pay attention to the immense beauty of the countryside instead of to the track as on the ascent.

We can recommend this walk to each and everyone!