🚂 Scenic Train Trips

Le Train Rouge – The Red Train

Departing from nearby Axat (10 minutes from Quillan), Le Train Rouge is a historic tourist railway running through the dramatic landscapes of the Cathar Country and Fenouillèdes valley.

The train travels along a historic railway line linking Axat and Rivesaltes, passing vineyards, forests, gorges and medieval villages.

Different routes are available depending on the season, including:

• Axat ➜ Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet ➜ Axat
• Axat ➜ Caudiès-de-Fenouillèdes ➜ Axat
• Extended routes toward Rivesaltes

The train operates from Easter until late autumn, with commentary explaining the history and landscapes of the region.

Special themed trains are also organised during the year including Easter, Halloween and Christmas events, which are particularly popular with families.

🚲 Rail Bikes (Vélorail)

A unique way to explore the railway line is by rail bike (vélorail) from Axat.

These specially designed pedal-powered rail carts allow visitors to cycle along the disused railway track through beautiful scenery.

Two routes are available and electric-assist rail bikes can be pre-booked for an easier ride.

This is a fun and family-friendly activity suitable for all ages.

🏰 Cathar Castles Near Quillan

The Pays Cathare is famous for its dramatic medieval hilltop castles built during the Cathar period of the 12th and 13th centuries. Many of these fortresses stand in spectacular locations and are among the most iconic historic sites in southern France.

Château de Puivert

📍 Distance: 20 minutes / 17 km

A beautifully preserved medieval castle overlooking the village of Puivert. The castle is famous for its “Room of the Musicians”, decorated with carvings of medieval instruments. A small museum inside the castle explores the history of troubadours and medieval music.

Château de Puilaurens

📍 Distance: 30 minutes / 32 km

Perched dramatically on a rocky ridge above the valley, Puilaurens was one of the last Cathar fortresses to fall during the Albigensian Crusade. The walk up through the forest to the castle offers spectacular views across the Pyrenees.

Château de Montségur

📍 Distance: 1 hour / 55 km

Perhaps the most famous Cathar site, Montségur sits on a narrow mountain summit and was the final stronghold of the Cathars before its fall in 1244. The steep hike to the castle takes around 30 minutes and rewards visitors with breathtaking panoramic views.

Château de Peyrepertuse

📍 Distance: 1 hour 20 minutes / 75 km

Often called one of the “Citadels of Vertigo”, Peyrepertuse stretches dramatically along a limestone ridge high above the Corbières vineyards.

Château de Quéribus

📍 Distance: 1 hour 20 minutes / 80 km

Another spectacular mountaintop fortress and one of the last Cathar strongholds to fall. The castle offers incredible views towards the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees.

🥾 Hiking & Walking

📍 Trails begin directly from Quillan town centre

The Pyrénées Audoises region is a paradise for walkers with forests, gorges, mountain peaks and historic villages.

More than 70 marked hiking routes cover over 650 km of trails, ranging from easy valley walks to more challenging mountain hikes.

Popular routes include:

• GR367 – The Cathar Trail (long-distance hiking route)
• GR7 crossing the Pyrenean foothills
• Route des Sapins through giant fir forests
• Voie Verte cycling and walking path

Nearby highlights include the Forêt des Fanges, one of the largest fir forests in southern France.

📍 Distance from property: 0–20 minutes depending on trail

🚵 Cycling & Mountain Biking

📍 Distance from property: routes begin directly in Quillan

The Aude en Pyrénées cycling network offers over 1,200 km of scenic cycling routes through quiet mountain roads, vineyards and traditional villages.

For mountain bikers, the VTT-FFC Aude en Pyrénées network includes more than 870 km of marked trails:

• 5 green routes – beginner
• 15 blue routes – intermediate
• 18 red routes – advanced
• 2 black routes – expert

Bike hire is available in Quillan and nearby Couiza.

🌊 River Activities & White-Water Sports

📍 Distance from property: 5–10 minutes

The River Aude flows directly through Quillan and is one of the best white-water rivers in southern France.

Between the Pierre-Lys Gorge and Saint-Georges Gorge, the river offers around 12 km of rapids, making it ideal for adventure sports.

Activities include:

• Rafting
• Canoeing
• Kayaking
• Hydrospeed / riverboarding
• Tubing

Quillan also features a 600-metre white-water slalom course, which is used for kayaking and freestyle training.

🎿 Skiing & Winter Sports Near Quillan

Although Quillan enjoys a mild climate for much of the year, several Pyrenean ski resorts are within easy driving distance, making the town a convenient base for winter sports.

Within around 1–1.5 hours of Quillan, visitors can access a wide range of ski areas offering alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and family winter activities.

⛷ Major Alpine Ski Resorts

Ax 3 Domaines – Ax-les-Thermes

📍 Distance: 1 hour 15 minutes / 70 km

One of the largest ski areas in the eastern Pyrenees, Ax 3 Domaines offers around 80 km of ski runs across three sectors: Bonascre, Saquet and Campels.

The resort provides slopes for all levels along with snow parks, panoramic views and modern lifts. The nearby town of Ax-les-Thermes is also famous for its thermal spas and hot springs, making it an excellent winter day trip.

Les Angles

📍 Distance: 1 hour 20 minutes / 85 km

Les Angles is one of the most popular family ski resorts in the Pyrenees.

The resort combines a traditional mountain village with modern lifts and around 55 km of ski slopes. Activities include alpine skiing, snowshoeing, sledging and winter walking.

Bolquère – Pyrénées 2000

📍 Distance: 1 hour 15 minutes / 80 km

Part of the Font-Romeu / Pyrénées 2000 ski area, this resort offers over 40 ski runs and excellent snow conditions thanks to its high altitude.

It is particularly popular with families and beginner skiers.

Puyvalador

📍 Distance: 1 hour 20 minutes / 90 km

A quieter resort surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery, Puyvalador offers a relaxed skiing experience with beautiful views across the Pyrenees.

It is ideal for visitors looking for a less crowded ski area.

Cambre d’Aze

📍 Distance: 1 hour 10 minutes / 75 km

Located between the villages of Saint-Pierre-dels-Forcats and Eyne, Cambre d’Aze offers dramatic views of the surrounding peaks and a good range of ski slopes.

It is known for its scenic setting and varied terrain.

🎿 Local & Smaller Ski Areas

Camurac Ski Station

📍 Distance: 1 hour / 55 km

The closest alpine ski resort to Quillan, Camurac is a friendly small mountain station offering around 11 ski runs.

It is particularly suitable for families and beginner skiers, with a relaxed atmosphere and beautiful forest surroundings.

Mijanès-Donezan

📍 Distance: 1 hour 20 minutes / 75 km

A small and scenic ski resort in the Donezan valley, Mijanès offers alpine skiing, snowshoeing and winter hiking.

The area is known for its wild and unspoiled mountain landscape.

❄️ Nordic & Cross-Country Ski Areas

Plateau de Chioula

📍 Distance: 1 hour / 60 km

The Chioula Nordic ski area is one of the best cross-country skiing destinations in the Pyrenees.

Visitors can enjoy:

• cross-country skiing
• snowshoeing
• winter hiking
• sledging

The plateau also offers magnificent panoramic views of the Pyrenees.

La Quillane Nordic Area

📍 Distance: 1 hour 10 minutes / 75 km

La Quillane is a peaceful Nordic ski area located near Matemale Lake.

The site offers cross-country skiing trails through forests and open mountain landscapes and is ideal for beginners or those looking for a quieter winter experience.

⭐ Why Quillan is a Good Winter Base

Quillan makes an excellent base for skiing because visitors can:

• stay in a traditional mountain town rather than a crowded resort
• access multiple ski areas within 1–1.5 hours
• combine skiing with local markets, restaurants and winter walks
• visit nearby thermal spas in Ax-les-Thermes

Several Pyrenean ski resorts are located within easy reach of Quillan, making the town a convenient base for skiing near Carcassonne, winter sports in the Aude Valley and ski trips in the eastern Pyrenees.

🎣 Fishing

📍 Distance from property: River Aude – 2 minutes walk

The River Aude is renowned for trout fishing, particularly the Mediterranean Fario Trout, which occurs naturally throughout the region.

Grayling, introduced in the early 2000s, are now also well established.

Nearby Lake Montbel offers excellent coarse fishing.

📍 Distance: 40 minutes / 35 km

Fish species include:

• Carp exceeding 20 kg
• Catfish over 75 kg
• Pike and perch

Fishing permits are required and can be purchased locally.

🧗 Adventure Activities

Several adventure sports are available within easy reach of Quillan.

Rock Climbing – Pierre-Lys Gorge

📍 Distance: 15 minutes / 10 km

This spectacular limestone gorge offers nearly 100 climbing routes on cliffs up to 200 metres high, with grades ranging from 4a to 8a.

Other climbing areas include Le Cardou and Saint-Salvayre.

Canyoning

📍 Distance: 30–50 minutes depending on canyon

Popular canyoning sites include:

• Gorges de Galamus
• Termes Canyon
• Canyon du Yé

These trips include jumps, natural slides, swimming and waterfall descents.

Caving – Grotte de l’Aguzou

📍 Distance: 15 minutes / 12 km

The limestone mountains around Quillan contain hundreds of caves and underground systems. Guided visits to the Grotte de l’Aguzou allow visitors to explore underground chambers and rock formations.

🐎 Horse Riding & Nature Experiences

📍 Distance: 10 minutes

Horse riding centres near Quillan offer guided rides through forests and mountain trails.

Families can also enjoy donkey trekking, where donkeys carry bags while you explore scenic countryside paths.

✈️ Air Sports

Gliding – Puivert Airfield

📍 Distance: 20 minutes / 18 km

Puivert is one of the best gliding centres in southern France. Visitors can enjoy introductory flights in a two-seat sailplane with experienced instructors.

Microlight Flights – Nébias

📍 Distance: 20 minutes / 17 km

Microlight flights offer spectacular views over the Cathar castles, forests and Pyrenean foothills.

🏍 Motorcycling & Off-Road Adventures

📍 Distance from property: routes begin directly in Quillan

The winding mountain roads around Quillan are extremely popular with motorcyclists.

The Rallye Découverte, held each June, invites riders to follow a scenic road-book route through the countryside with cultural stops and challenges along the way.

Quad biking and off-road trail riding are also available nearby.