GETTING THERE
Perpignan – 40km (45min)
Narbonne – 100km (1 hour 15min)
Girona (Spain) – 90km (1 hour 15min)
The easiest start is at free parking lot at “Parking de l’ancien l’hopital”. Instead of turning into village, get to the start of parking lot and turn up where is yellow sign.
TRAIL NAVIGATION
The trail map is available outside of the Tourist office or HERE
The trail is sign posted slightly confusing, but with a little attention it is not difficult to follow. Or download GPX file online in advance.
The same trail split into 5 different options, I have done trail number 1 (Trail des Thermes), you can optionally do trail 5, or start 1 and then trail 7, which are shorter or 4,6 which are longer.
You will often see signs with these trail numbers, but they are not frequent and more reliable is to follow blue dots, which are on trees or rocks. Having picture of the map gave me general understanding of the trail splits and prevented me from getting lost, most of the time the trail is obvious but it helped at certain points.
I have went to see the viewing points along the way which made the trail about 1km longer. For example I went to see the view point Le drapeau or explored the area of Post de la route du Mas Pagris and Chapelle Santa Engracia.
You need to follow the trail clockwise as per map, it doesn’t seem to be sign posted both ways, it is only one directional.
Note: The longest distance, trek 6 is trek of Vallespir Skyrace, which is annual trail running event taking place in May. I suggest to check the exact dates in advance, so you do not plan your hike at the same time. Unless you want to participate in the race. More information about the race HERE
TRAIL DETAILS
The trail starts straight away with nice steep uphill, that keeps going little over 1km. It is in relatively dense forrest area, so you don’t get to see much of the views unless there is small opening between the trees. At the top of the hill there is trail split. At this point there was no trail number sign, so pay close attention to the signs, you need to follow sign for Montalba to the left. I have done small side trip to the Le drapeau viewing point, which is nice stop to enjoy views and take a small break after all the uphill.
From the trail split the trail follows the mountain side, mostly flat/gentle down. This part is easy and very enjoyable and you get more views on the other hills and mountains. Follow the trail until you reach road and turn to the left, following blue dots and arrows until you reach bridge. Here the sign postage is again not the greatest. If you want take trail 1 or 7, pass across the bridge and shortly after there is sign for trail 7 down towards the river and just few meters further there is sign for trail 1 going up to the chapel. For trails 4 or 6 you need to turn left before crossing the bridge.
If you continue on trail 1 you get into another steep climb through forrest. It is tough but there are more view points, such as walls, terraces and various ruins. Some parts of the trail are slightly unclear, in that case follow the blue dots.
Finally you will reach the chapel after little over 1,5km of ascent, the trail continues without passing by the church but of course you will stop and enjoy the views, there are many picnic tables around. Little further is viewing point with cross, this place has really nice view on the valley, the villages and Pyrennees mountain range. For me this was my favorite part of the trail. From here the trail continues very steep down passing by the flag, you can spot the blue dots, this part is bit difficult and technical, but ease up into less and less steep descent. The rest of the trail is zig zag descent.
Tree coverage: Majority of the trail is under trees.
Geocaching: There are two geocaches along the trail (at the chapel and the nearby cross). Otherwise there is Adventure Lab in the village and couple geocaches, in case you still have energy after finishing the trail.
Dogs: It is possible to do this route with your dog, if he is used to hiking steeper uphills.
FACILITIES
There are no facilities along the trail. There are several shops and restaurants at the village.
I completed this hike in March 2024, dry weather, sunny, around 19 degrees but with strong wind.
Hike completed on the weekend, people met only at the Le drapeau viewing point and them some on the final descent as there are some shorter hikes going in the opposite direction, otherwise the trail was empty.
