Labyrinthe Vert de Nebias

Hidden near the small village of Nebias, at the foothills of the Pyrenees, find the Labyrinthe Vert (Green Labyrinth), a mysterious maze of limestone, roots, and moss, and the source of many local legends. If you ever wanted to visit a place that looks like the Fangorn Forest made famous in Lords of the Rings, the Labyrinth will enchant you.

Situated near the Puivert Castle, the Labyrinth is rich with historical and legendary landmarks. At the start of the path, you will see ruins of medieval windmills right next to the remains of a much more recent Nazi fort demolished by Allied bombings. Then you will travel to the land of legends, with natural wonders like "the squid oak," "the harp fir tree," "the fairy's den," "the witch's rock," "the great rock maze," and "the ringed rock." All of these sights are various flora and mineral oddities presented in the local language - Occitan - and explained in French through many descriptive signs.

The Labyrinth is totally free, and part of the larger trek, "Le sentier Nature," is itself a loop on the great trek path GR7 - Sentier Cathare. You will need a local map, but you can find leaflets on the trek at the tourist desk of Quillan or download them online. Do not visit the site too late in the day, make sure to wear strong walking shoes and bring water, some food, and a cellphone.