Walking
in the French Pyrenees with a Taste of Spain
Hiking from High Mountain Cols to Lush Green Valleys
Fortified Walled Towns and Castles
A One-Night Stop in Spain
Walking
in the French Pyrenees with a Taste of Spain
The Catalan Pyrenees lies to the east of Andorra spilling into France
and Spain as they tumble down to the Mediterranean. Two deep valleys are
carved into the mountains on the French side. The more southerly is the
Tech valley, or the Vallespir (valley of hope), squeezed between the
border ridge and the most prominent landmark of the Catalan Pyrenees, Pic
du Canigou (2748m). The route includes day walks generally walking
eastwards but crosses the border, reaches a peak, follows high ridges and
lush valleys and meanders through vineyards and meadows; all on the way to
the ‘Grande Bleue’.
The
upper part of the Vallespir is a wild tangle of forest and deep valleys
between the Canigou Massif and the Spanish border. From our starting point
at La Preste, the highest village of the Haute Vallespir, we climb to the
Col de Siern (1629m) and descend into Spain for a night at the charming
village of Mollo. Cross back into France and descend via the fantastic
view point at Tour de Mir to the beautiful fortified town of Prats de
Mollo, complete with hill top castle. A taxi takes us to our next walk
along a splendid ridge with sweeping views. The descent across forested
slopes via an old fort leads to the Spa town of Amelie-les-Bains. A walk
through the lower northern slopes of the Tech Valley explores the
vineyards and has a beautiful village as the lunchtime goal before
continuing to Le Boulou. Another taxi takes us to join the GR10 high level
footpath to scale Puig Neulos (1256m), a peak towering above its
surroundings with views back to Canigou and down to the coastal resorts.
From Laroque-des-Alberes take a taxi to Collioure, the prettiest of the
seaside towns of the Vermillion Coast. Our last day, is a fantastic walk
along a prominent tower topped ridge followed by a descent to
Banyuls-sur-Mer. After refreshment and perhaps a swim it is back to
Collioure for the final night and a celebratory meal in one of the many
restaurants tucked away in the winding streets.
7
nights/8 days -Our first night is in La Preste les
Bains, mainland France’s most southerly hotel, 2*. The next
evening is spent in the only hotel in Mollo (in Spain), it
has no star rating but rooms are as good as any other on the trip.
The night in Prats-de-Mollo is in one of two 2* hotels,
either a small Logis de France hotel and restaurant in the shadow of
the old walls or a hotel of similar standard just a 5 minute walk
away. In Amelie-les-Bains we use a fairly large 3* hotel near
the centre of town. On the quiet back streets at the edge of the old
town of Le Boulou we stay at a 2* hotel overlooking the Tech
valley. These first five nights are booked on a half board basis. In
Collioure we stay for 2 nights on a B&B basis in a 3*
hotel a few hundred meters from the sea. The choice of restaurants
is incredible for such a small place.
Sherpa Notes
Waymarking
Nearly all waymarked, notes and maps required in places.
Accommodation
and Meals 5 nights half board, 2 nights B&B. The night in Spain is in
a good but ungraded hotel, 3 nights in France are in 2* hotels and 3
nights are in 3* hotels including the last 2 nights in Collioure.
Start
and End of Tour The most convenient airport is Perpignan. A public bus
service runs from Perpignan to La Preste, alternatively Sherpa can
prebook a minibus shuttle from Perpignan, this costs approx. 113
Euros for up to 4 passengers, must be prepaid.
The tour ends in Collioure, train back to Perpignan. From Collioure
prebooked shuttle to La Preste to collect a car costs approx. 152
Euros (for up to 4 passengers).
