Labyrinthe vert de Nébias

Nébias

Near Nébias, at the foot of the Pyrenees of the Aude, a forest of oak and box hides a relief of hollowed, jagged limestone. Geologists speak of lapiaz and dolines: it is slightly acidic rainwater that has sculpted the rock. The labyrinth was therefore not built by people, it is natural. What one visits is a trail, conceived in 1987 by a local inhabitant, Louis Salavy, with volunteers, and opened in 1990. Signs name curiosities in Occitan: the Sapin Harpe, the Chêne Poulpe, the Grand Lapiaz, the Cami Salvatge, the Clot des Encantados, and even the fairies' hiding place and the witch's rock. According to a local newspaper, the legends of the area place fairies and elves among the stones. At the entrance, two ruined windmills were restored at the end of the 20th century, and one of them served as a lookout post during the war. Shepherds and peasants have long frequented these stone corridors, and the pastures have probably been used since the Middle Ages, according to a description of the trail. Today, about 25,000 walkers a year follow it, and the village still maintains it.

Aude Tourisme — Le sentier du labyrinthe vert (Nébias) ↗

Getting there: From Quillan or Campagne-sur-Aude, follow Nébias then Brenac. The leaflets give different starting points: car park above the chemin des Ormeaux (leaflet of the communauté de communes), behind the church or near the chapelle Sainte-Claire, or chemin du Moulin à Vent. Labyrinth loop: 4 to 5.5 km, about 1 h 30; Nature Trail: 8 to 9 km, 2 h 30 to 3 h 30; lengths vary according to the sources. Yellow waymarking (several sources also speak of green marks in the labyrinth). Free access at no charge. The trail crosses pastures: take care with herds and dogs. Hunting takes place from mid-August to the end of February. The tourist office's opening times and the current state of the waymarking have not been verified.

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound