Montgaillard: Hiking and Village History

If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Montgaillard, the hiking and cultural themes mentioned here can help you choose your destination. Le Sarrat de Germa combines a circular hike with scenic views of the wild Corbières; in the village, you will also find the Église Sainte-Colombe and a stone washhouse. Old mining traces along the route also give your stay a historical focus.

Hiking on Le Sarrat de Germa

Le Sarrat de Germa is a yellow-marked circular hike in Montgaillard. The route is rated as moderate and has 400 metres of elevation gain. It passes through the wild Corbières and offers wonderful views of dense, unspoilt nature and the Torgan Gorges. These details complement one another: the marking and difficulty rating describe the hike, while the views of nature and the gorges describe its scenic character.

When choosing a hike, you can weigh up the route details and the scenery separately: 400 metres of elevation gain and the moderate rating relate to the route’s profile, while the views of nature and the Torgan Gorges relate to its scenery.

Vallée du Torgan Natura 2000 site

The Vallée du Torgan Natura 2000 site (SAC) is designated under the Habitats Directive and covers 1,009 hectares. Its official code is FR 9101458.

Mining history along the route

Old mines can be discovered along the route; the heritage of mining and metalworking dates back to antiquity. The Tistoulet mine was blasted, and several copper veins are visible outside the mine. At the Sarrat de Germa mines, the old galleries of the baryte and spar mines are still visible. Spar is associated with copper and silver.

Church and washhouse

The Église Sainte-Colombe has a three-arched bell gable; today, only one bell remains there. The stone washhouse in the village square is a reminder of the villages’ past and the craftsmanship of earlier generations. The washhouse offers a lovely view of Mont Tauch; it is a place to take a peaceful break. Here, the focus is on a single building in the village, while the hiking route reveals the scenery and traces of mining.

Another circular route

Another circular route is Au Royaume du Sanglier. It is rated as challenging, is 68 kilometres long, and starts in Montgaillard. By comparison, Le Sarrat de Germa is rated as moderate and has 400 metres of elevation gain. The difficulty ratings therefore indicate different route profiles. The 68 kilometres refer to the length of Au Royaume du Sanglier, while the 400 metres of elevation gain refer to Le Sarrat de Germa; these figures therefore measure different things.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Couat-d’Aude, Tournissan, Arquettes-en-Val, Vinassan, Trèbes, Gourvieille, Cascastel-des-Corbières, Conilhac-Corbières

For the overview of the wider area: Aude.