Kanga said:
I'm glad I saw the Canal Du Midi before all its wonderful trees are cut down (they are affected by a fungus).
omg, they are cutting down all those beautiful trees! that is so sad!
more on the topic.
david:
I believe that in four weeks you can walk pretty much all vyppr from the mediterranean to sjpp. many towns along the way must have a direct train connection with toulouse (narbonne, carcassone) and some a direct bus connection. but vyppr is more difficult that voie d'arles in terms of terrain and constant up and down walking, not on the gentle hills. that's why it's also more beautiful, or beautiful in a different way.
kanga's suggestion for voir d'arles is a good one. the terrain is not as tough and you pass some really lovely towns. the little guide she suggested can also be bought in some tourist offices on vyppr for 3€ I believe.
sue:
mmm, brings back memories... where did you cut to vyppr from foix? directly to saint girons?
kanga:
the first day from narbonne to durban can be very tricky as I think it's not waymarked and the terrain is orientation-heavy. I bypassed it by going along golfe antique to Peyriac de mer and from there cut through to durban. there was still a tricky unmarked section, but a lot shorter.
sentier cathare is spectacular in every way. really recommended.
it does pass through some dry terrain with no water, supplies can be a bit thin on the ground (planning very necessary), and is constantly very up and down (much like vyppr) but the scenery and panorama more then make up for all the effort. the only tricky/dangerous/sporty section is a new section after peyrepertuse, but can be avoided.
the waymarking is good, the gites friendly (pays calling ahead). there is at least one gite per stage, often more.
in july 2012, when I was there, I met very few people doing the whole way and not that many day hikers. some huge groups of riders, though. probably because of the really hot summer. spring and autumn are the preffered seasons, I was told.
ign has published a 70.000 map with the whole sentier cathare on it and lots of useful info, very handy.
vyppr continues more or less in the same manner, but with more greenery (at least in high summer). the long tough section from bagneres-de-bigorre to lourdes can be avoided via a shorter route mostly on minor roads. recommended in bad weather.
