Comus lies at the entrance to the Gorges de la Frau and at the meeting point of the Chemin des Bonshommes and Sentier Cathare long-distance hiking trails. For hikers, several points of reference come together here: a circular hike starting in the village, a route through the gorge, and trails with a broader regional context. The routes differ in their course and theme; when planning, it is worth comparing more than just the similar distances shown in kilometres.
Circular Hike and Trail Through the Gorges
The Tour du Boum starts in Comus and is 15 km long. It passes over the Pla du Boum and offers a viewpoint overlooking the Gorges de la Frau. This circular hike thus combines a clearly defined starting point in the village with a named landscape feature and a view over the gorge. Another hike follows a 15.2 km out-and-back route through the Gorges de la Frau to the municipality of Comus. The ruins of the former hamlet of Basqui are visible along the way. The distances are close, but refer to different types of route: 15 km is the circular route starting in Comus, while 15.2 km is the out-and-back route through the Gorges to the village. For a meaningful comparison, the type of route matters first, followed by the small difference in distance.
Two Long-Distance Trails with Different Points of Reference
The Chemin des Bonshommes (GR®107) is a cross-border hiking trail between Ariège and Berguedà in Catalonia. From the 11th to the 16th century, it served as a trade route and was used by the last Cathars as they fled to Spain. This history gives the trail a different focus from the local routes, whose descriptions refer to their course and landscape. The Sentier Cathare is the second long-distance trail meeting in Comus. Its Puivert–Comus section was changed in 2025 in the area around Espezel and Roquefeuil; trail markers and signs were updated accordingly. Check the current route of the Sentier Cathare before setting out. Those primarily interested in history will find it on the Chemin des Bonshommes; anyone following the Sentier Cathare should check the current route.
Natural Environment at the Municipal Level
The Natura 2000 site Gorge de la Frau et Belesta covers the entire municipality of Comus. Its landscape is rocky and forested, and wildlife is also part of the protected area's natural character. This designation applies on a different scale from the individual routes: it covers the municipality as a whole, not just a trail or viewpoint. For travellers looking to combine hiking and an interest in nature, the municipality-wide protected-area designation complements the specific destinations of Pla du Boum, Gorges de la Frau, and Basqui, without combining them into a single route.
Discover more destinations: Alaigne, Brousses-Et-Villaret, Bram, Saint-Couat-D'aude, Ouveillan, Aigues-Vives, Roquefort Des Corbières, La Digne-d'Amont
For the regional travel overview: Aude.
