Tips

GETTING THERE:
Carcassonne is 460 miles southwest of Paris, about a seven-hour drive, and 60 miles southeast of Toulouse, about an hour’s drive or a 50-minute train ride (a round-trip ticket from Toulouse is about 30 USD).
From Iceland, it is easiest to fly Iceland Express to Stansted ( 8.199,00 ISK), then take the Ryan Air flight directly to Carcassonne for about 105 Euro (136 USD).
BIKE TOURS:
Rough Tracks offers eight-day Cathar Trail trips on various dates, July through October. Cost is about 987 USD per person and includes ground transfers, guides, support van, most meals and seven nights’ lodging. You can bring your own mountain bike or rent from the company for about 172 USD, plus 27 USD for a helmet, per week. Proof of insurance with mountain bike coverage is required.
INFORMATION:
Rough Tracks, 011-44-1373-469 890, www.roughtracks.com.