France·2026

Carcassonne

Carcassonne's cycling is defined by proximity to the Pyrenees foothills and limestone plateaus rising 300–500m south and east of the walled city. The XC Marathon Palaja and La Trace du Sanglier VTT showcase the region's technical singletrack and rocky terrain; longer efforts push into the Audoises valleys for the Cyclomontagnarde des Pyrénées Audoises. Runners find the flat Aude riverbank and canal paths ideal for easy miles, though the Grand Raid des Cathares and serious trail runners venture into the garrigue scrubland and medieval bridgeway network that stitches together the Cathar fortresses across the surrounding hills.