Discovering the two Corbères

A superb getaway in the heart of Catalan heritage, punctuated by chapels, panoramic views and history.

Details

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Creation:
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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.70 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 303 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 300 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 286 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 148 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From Thuir, take the D615 towards Ille-sur-Têt. At the Corbère roundabout, turn left towards the town centre via Rue Voltaire. At the end of the road, take a quick left and right and turn onto Rue de l'Église. Park in the car park on the left after the church.

(S/E) From the Sainte-Madeleine church car park, cross at the pedestrian crossing, take Rue Pomarola on the left, then Rue de Montou on the right.
Follow the cemetery on your left until you reach an intersection marked by a sign.

(1) Before continuing on your route, I recommend taking a short detour to the left to see the ruins mentioned at La Cotellona. Turn left, cross the Combalada and climb up a good path to reach the ruins. Viewpoint.

(2) Return to the intersection.

(1) Take the Montou route on the left.

(3) At the next intersection, turn left, cross the ford and climb up the rough road that rises steeply. At the flat section, turn almost 180° to the left to take the track that climbs up to Montou. 360° viewpoint.

(4) Return almost to the intersection you passed on the way there.

(3) Before the ford, turn left onto the track that leads to another inverted Y-junction.

(5) Before continuing to the right, I recommend taking another detour to the left onto the path leading to the Sant Julia de Vallventosa Chapel. Turn left onto the track and follow it to the Sant Julia de Vallventosa Chapel. There is a picnic table and an information board.

(6) Return to the previous intersection.

(5) Now follow the track opposite and, a few dozen metres further on, take the track that branches off to the left and runs alongside the Serrat de la Conillera. Enjoy the wonderful views before leaving the track and taking the path on the right that leads to the Sant Pere del Bosc Chapel. Picnic table, information panel.

(7) Continue along the route, cross the Còrrec de la Coma, turn right, go up a path and rejoin the tracks, road and paths at the multiple crossroads of Corbera de Dalt (Corbère d'en haut). Car park, information panel.

(8) Take the road on the right that climbs up to the castle to enjoy the view. Continue to the north-eastern end of Saint Peter's Church. Viewpoint and sheltered from the wind.

(9) Return to the multi-way intersection.

(8) Take the road on the right (Chemin du Château), which becomes Rue du Château further down and leads you to the village of Corbère.

(10) Continue straight ahead on Rue del Correc, then Rue du Puits and finally Rue Principale.

(11) Turn right onto Chemin de la Cabane, which continues onto Rue du Moulin, Rue Maréchal Foch and then Rue Pomerola, leading to the church and ending your heritage walk (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 151 m - Sainte-Madeleine Church
  2. 1 : km 0.19 - alt. 151 m - Crossroads with ruins
  3. 2 : km 0.53 - alt. 165 m - Ruins
  4. 3 : km 1.2 - alt. 154 m - A/R intersection. Montou
  5. 4 : km 2.24 - alt. 285 m - Montou - viewpoint
  6. 5 : km 4.35 - alt. 180 m - Intersection towards the chapel
  7. 6 : km 5.55 - alt. 189 m - Chapel of Sant Julia de Vallventosa
  8. 7 : km 8.37 - alt. 262 m - Chapel of Sant Pere del Bosc
  9. 8 : km 9.02 - alt. 276 m - Intersection
  10. 9 : km 9.15 - alt. 286 m - Saint-Pierre Church - Château de Corbère
  11. 10 : km 10.05 - alt. 197 m - Corbère
  12. 11 : km 10.52 - alt. 176 m - Chemin de la Cabane
  13. S/E : km 11.7 - alt. 151 m - Sainte-Madeleine Church

Notes

Picnic area at the Sant Pere del Bosc Chapel.

Worth a visit

Saint-Maurice Hermitage near Corbère Castle.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 26 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
canetois66
canetois66
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

markings are inconsistent and very random; the trial section is quite complicated and, above all, unmarked

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evynat
evynat

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike done for Heritage Day, three chapels, one of which was closed. We didn't meet any other hikers, but it must be said that we had thunderstorms and rain at Montou and in the afternoon to finish. We went from 2 to 4 and from 6 to 7 via some very pleasant little paths, to make up for the long and not-so-great crossing of Corbère to reach the car park at Corbère les Cabanes! Sant Julia, Sant Père del Bosc and Saint Pierre are worth a detour, and meeting Nicole, the hermit of Saint Maurice, was simply unforgettable. We set off wearing bin bags to protect us from heavy rain, led by Nicole... a beautiful day

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bonheurenmarche
bonheurenmarche

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy hike that allows you to discover the local heritage. We didn't climb the hill, but we went to the hermitage: it's unusual and well worth a visit.

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lemarcheur65
lemarcheur65 ★

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice discovery.
It is possible to avoid return trips and reduce the amount of walking on tracks and streets in the village.
Very beautiful buildings, perfectly restored.
The tramontane wind of the last few days has brought beautiful blue skies. It was very windy in Montou.

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Famille NEE
Famille NEE

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

An interesting hike to discover the heritage of no less than four chapels, each more beautiful than the last. The castle is simply magnificent, and to finish off, there is the magnificent Hermitage Saint Maurice.
However, there is too much road and very few paths, with tarmac from the DFCI (forest service road) and a monotonous, dreary path with nothing of interest. It ends at a housing estate. It's a shame because the site is magnificent and there are some really beautiful views. Be careful, as the signposting is almost non-existent.

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PATDIDOU
PATDIDOU

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike with beautiful weather

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PATDIDOU
PATDIDOU

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike with great weather

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Michel R
Michel R

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Stay alert on the track.

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jpr66
jpr66

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

There are few signs, but there are some beautiful sights to see.

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mira66
mira66

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Too many large trails, but interesting in terms of heritage, if you include the ice well and the hot oven at the end of the hike.

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zenitude66
zenitude66

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike with lovely views, the chapel and the castle (even if you can't visit it)
Easy hike

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Abigaëlle
Abigaëlle

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The last part of the route back to Corbère is tedious, passing through housing estates. The two chapels you come across are very beautiful, with pleasant gardens where you can picnic

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JeffB68
JeffB68

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice walk. Please note that there are no water sources along the trail. Emergency supplies may be available at the hermitage. Poor signage.

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Mick88
Mick88

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I followed the GPS track. It takes us directly from point 2 to point 4. I also went to Hermitage St Maurice from point 9.
It was very hot.
My dogs were able to swim next to the Saint Julia chapel.
Thank you for this hike.
There are several car parks near the cemetery.

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MoiElsa
MoiElsa

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very beautiful route and very pleasant... As recommended in another review, we went directly from point 2 to point 4 by taking the path that climbs to the right just before the small descent that leads to the hot oven... It's a climb, but it's very beautiful... And the view from Montou is superb... The detour to the Sant Julia Chapel (6) is worth it...the place is very beautiful. Remember to go to L'Orri, which can be reached via a footbridge after the chapel about 50 metres away... At the intersection with the castle (8), we made a short detour to L'Hermitage... At the castle (9), we descended via a pleasant little path that branches off to the left just before reaching the castle chapel. the first few metres are steep, but it levels out after that and leads directly to point 10, where, as recommended in another comment, we walked along the cemetery to reach point 5, then turned left and returned to the starting point via points 3 and 1

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