Mont Saint Victor

A walk I would definitely recommend for anybody staying in the Corbières region is Mont Saint Victor. It will take you at least 2 hours round trip, and some of the scenery on the way up is not that spectacular, but the view from the top is well worth the effort - the rolling hills of the Corbières and the sea in the background. And it's so peaceful - it's not much advertised in the tourist brochures. It was our landlord who mentioned it to us last year, and we decided to give it a try on a cloudy day. I'd say it would be a tough climb on a hot sunny day. There is a good path/road most of the way.

Follow directions for Fontjoncouse (it's a bit of a twisty road, but it doesn't get any worse), and before you get to the village, you will see a sign for Mont Saint Victor on the left. Park your car there near the map (there isn't really anywhere else to park - which probably explains why it's so quiet).

It's fairly well sign-posted (follow the yellow bands) - except at one point where there was a sign for a goats' farm. We went straight on through the pillars, but turned back when we went past the Dutch van, as the path seemed to be going down at that point. We retraced our steps and then followed the path going up towards the left. It was straightforward after that. Once you get a bit higher, you can see the communications mast and the fire observation station at the top (and you realise you still have a long way to go...).

It's a good walk, so bring water with you, but nothing as hard as Croagh Patrick - wear good shoes, but no need for hiking shoes. I did it in Keds. My knees were a bit sore on the descent from the lack of cushioning, but it wasn't too bad.

And say hello to the donkeys in the field on the way up!