The Cathar Way is a 250km footpath in the French Pyrenees. It runs between Port La Nouvelle on the Mediterranean coast to the historic town of Foix.
I walked this section of the trail with my friend, Brendan, in summer 2016.
We were given a lift from Quillan to Coudons (about 4k) and joined the trail up into the heavily wooded hills. After a couple of hours hiking we reached a plateau and rested before the descent to the village of Quirbajou.
The weather was perfect. Warm and sunny with a light breeze.
At Quirbajou we stopped for food and long, long glugs of water. The name of the village reminded me of the Pixies song, Caribou, which I promptly began to sing.
From Quirbajou we began the steep descent into the valley and the village of Marsa.
In Marsa we had our photo taken on a bridge crossing the river Rebenty.
The next village, Cailla, has a beautiful 10th century church and churchyard that we spent some time admiring.
On leaving Cailla we continued the descent into the valley and onwards to Axat.
![Leaving Cailla](https://martinblack.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/7.jpg)
An hour or so later we were standing above the historic town of Axat, watching a train chugging across a viaduct over the river Aude.
Axat is a lovely town, well worth exploring.
We found a shop and purchased beer, bread, salami and chocolate.
Supping beer on the banks of the river Aude. The perfect note on which to end a beautiful day on the Cathar Way.
You can see other hikes I’ve done on the Cathar Way.