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There is an endless supply of activities for the adventurous and much useful information available. The many rivers, waterfalls and lakes make Languedoc-Roussillon an ideal place for all water sports: swimming, canoeing, kayaking, white-water rafting, windsurfing, canyoning and fishing. Most tourist offices have information brochures in English and several of the Tourist Offices have websites with details on activities in each area.
Hiking and WalkingThe Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pedestre (FFRP) is the overseeing body for all marked and maintained walking routes in France. It provides information and guide-books (most in French) for walkers in the area. The region is home to a wide number of hiking trails for all levels of ability and there are literally thousands of marked trails in the area. Most of these walks last between one and three hours. One of the most famous walks in the region is known as the Sentier Cathare (the Cathar Trail). It begins in Port-la-Nouvelle in the Aude département and crosses west through Cathar country until the Midi-Pyrénées. This route is also popular with mountain bikers and horse-riders. Another well-known walking route is the E4, an official European long-distance footpath from Languedoc to the Pyrénées through the Black mountains, the Cévennes and then across the Rhone River into Provence. Top 25 hiking maps issued by the Institut Géographique National (IGN) are available from newsagents (presse) and bookshops. All nationally recognised trails are categorised as follows:
The French route marking system shows paths by means of signs and blazes.
Mountain AccommodationTo book a mountain refuge contact the town hall of the commune where the refuge is situated.
Contacts
Cycling & Mountain BikingLanguedoc-Roussillon has many hundreds of kilometres of off road cycling tracks, and for the more serious cyclist, the Pyrénées is an ideal place for cycling. The Cévennes National Park in southern Lozère has hundreds of kilometres of cycling tracks, as does the Aude department.
Canoeing and KayakingPopular areas for canoeing and kayaking are the river Aude and the Gorges du Tarn. Most of Languedoc's rivers are shallow and the canoeing is not very difficult here. Given the large number of rivers in the Languedoc area there are many canoeing and kayaking centres. Navigable rivers for canoeing and kayaking are classified into six grades, Classes I to VI. Class I being for easily navigable rivers, Class V for extremely difficult, and Class VI for rivers that are only navigable depending on the water level and presenting many risks.
There are many organisations providing training, transport and equipment for trips, one day or several. The sport is monitored by the Fédération Française de Canoë-Kayak (FFCK). It has information on appropriate rivers and expert guides, where available. Contacts
CanyoningThis sport is allowed in the summer only, generally 1 April to 31 October. All
the skills of caving, diving and climbing are necessary to practice this sport. Canyoning sites in Languedoc-Roussillon include the Cévennes, the gorges around the Mont Lozère and the Mont Aigoual and also the Llech Gorges in the Pyrénées-Orientales. Mountaineering and ClimbingLanguedoc-Roussillon provides a multitude of places for climbing: the steep cliffs of the Cévennes, the Gorges du Tarn, the Gorges de la Jonte, the Gorges du Chassez and the Haute Vallée de l’Aude all provide suitable climbs for beginners and experts. Professional guides are available and recommended in most areas. They should hold a diploma from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and a qualification from the Mountaineering and Rock-climbing Federation, the Fédération Française de la Montagne et de l'Escalade (FFME). Information (in French) is available on the grade, training options and availability of guides from the FFME:
Caving and PotholingFor those who want to practice caving, the caverns of the Lozère Plateaux are among the most famous in France. It is advisable to join a club or hire a guide and special equipment and training is required. More information on caving and potholing activities from:
Horse RidingThe area is ideal for horse-riding and is a popular destination for equestrian holidays. The Cathar Trail (see above) is probably the most well known horse-riding trail in the region. Other trails include the Circuit des Traboucayres in the Pyrénées-Orientales, le Mont-Lozère, L’Aubrac and the Grandes Causses.
FishingFishing organisations in Languedoc:
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This is the "The Great Outdoors" INFOrmation Page at AngloINFO Languedoc-Roussillon. AngloINFO Languedoc-Roussillon's INFOrmation Pages provide an online encyclopaedia covering all aspects of "Life in Languedoc-Roussillon, in English!". AngloINFO Languedoc-Roussillon is your Languedoc-Roussillon information source, for everyone living in Languedoc-Roussillon or moving to Languedoc-Roussillon, covering everything from the Languedoc-Roussillon property and real estate contacts you need before and during your move to France, to all aspects of everyday life in the Languedoc-Roussillon international community for those living their lives in France. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
