Trekking the Cathar Way The Sentier Cathare in Southern France

A challenging, fascinating, and rewarding route; it is not an arduous mountain trek. The trail runs for about 250 kilometres, from the Mediterranean coast, westward to the historic town of Foix. It can be walked in two weeks or less by anyone who is well-equipped and moderately fit. Good-quality accommodation is available at regular intervals along the entire length of the trail. The trail traverses the dramatic foothills of the Pyrenees mountains, a beautiful countryside which enjoys plenty of sunshine and which is rich in wildlife.

Nell Sleet and Luke Smith are writers who run the slow travel blog What if we walked? together. They travel the slow way, exploring the world on foot, and document their journeys on their blog and their Instagram (@whatifwewalked), as well as other media. Their recent journeys together include the Rota Vicentina in Portugal, The Painters’ Way in Germany and the Via Francigena from Canterbury to Rome.