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From Perpignan, take the dual carriageway towards Argelès-sur-Mer, then continue towards Collioure. The road becomes two-way as you approach Port-Vendres. Continue to the end of the developed section. Go under the end of the road via the roundabout and head towards the town centre. At the second roundabout, do not turn right towards the port, but go straight on towards the SNCF railway station. Park in the car park.
Yellow markings
(S/E) With your back to the station, turn left onto the small road called Val de Pinte. Pass the first pedestrian tunnel under the railway line (return) and continue along the road. Cross a ford and pass under the railway line, then turn immediately right and follow it.
(1) Go up to the right towards Fort Saint Elme, north-west: signpost "Val de Pinte".
Simply follow this very small road that winds through the vineyards. Do not try to cut across: these are private properties that are still in use. The road turns south and reveals retaining walls of terraces completely rebuilt in dry stone.
(2) Leave the small road and turn right (northeast) onto a good path through the vineyards: signpost "Fort Saint Elme" and a sign "respecter les vignobles" (respect the vineyards). Do not try to go through a gate. The path continues on the left, climbing steeply through the vineyards to reach the Fort Saint-Elme road.
(3) Turn left for a few metres, then climb up the wide path opposite, leaving the small road on your left. This pretty path also allows you to admire the work that has gone into building the vineyard terraces.
At the protective fence of Fort Dugommier, descend to the left and rejoin the small road, which you should follow to the right. Pass the strange Jardin du Titan on your right and reach Coll d'en Reixat, just above the road tunnel (open area, signpost, road junction). Directional post.
No markings
(4) Leave the small track on the left and the signpost.
Pay attention: continue right on the road for 2 to 3 metres and immediately left onto a good path through the vegetation. You will come to an old car park.
Find a very good path heading south, climbing very steeply through the low vegetation typical of these mountains.
The direction is generally due south. The path is very well marked on the ground. Red spots and arrows may provide reassurance. Pass the ruins of Mas de Calona and head for Coll de Molló, now in your sights, further down (road junction, signpost).
Yellow markings
(5) Keep right on the D86 towards Notre-Dame de Consolation (Consolaciò). The grassy verge makes for a pleasant climb along the road, which is very quiet except during the summer.
The magnificent landscape breaks up the monotony of the climb. You can stop at Casot d'en Frère on the right-hand side.
At an altitude of 300 metres, leave the path on the right that descends to the hermitage and continue to the Coll de la Serra roadside parking area (signposted: Madeloc, Vallauria). Take the track on the far left towards a pink casot. Leave it on your right, along with the water path, and continue to Coll de la Serra (signpost: Madeloc).
(6) Continue on the left (south-east) to the end of the track. The path is very steep and you will be walking over rocks. It is not dangerous, but the slope is steep. Pass the altitude 416 and you will come to a fork (signpost).
(7) Leave the "Tallaferro" direction on your right and continue straight ahead towards Coll de Molló. The path is flat and runs along the hillside. The view is superb. You will reach a fork in the path directly below the Taillefer Battery (Tallaferro).
Note that it is possible to climb up to the battery and then to Coll de Tallafero on the right. Then turn left towards the Madeloc Refuge (the Tallafero Barracks).
(8) Leave the descent to Coll de Molló on your left. Continue straight ahead, almost flat, towards Tallaferro to reach the Madeloc Refuge, which is a beautiful place to take a break.
Please note: if the refuge is occupied, continue on to Coll de Tallaferro. Please note: a passage permit is required, and you will be passing through a residential area. Please respect the peace and quiet of the area and any residents who may have rented the refuge (during the summer months).
Turn back.
(8) Descend to the right towards Coll de Molló. The descent is very steep on a well-marked but sometimes rutted path. Reach Coll de Molló (signpost: Coll de Mala Cara, de Perdiguer).
(5) Turn right, heading due east, onto the small road that leads back to Port-Vendres, joining the coastal road.
Pass two tracks on the left and reach a more open area at Coll de Mala Cara, which offers beautiful views.
Yellow markings
(9) Turn left. Please note: there is no signpost. I have reinforced a cairn on the left-hand side of the road.
At this point, a yellow left turn has been painted on the rocks on the right-hand side of the road (6 February 2021).
The path runs under the road. Pass a very cluttered spring. On the left, on the other side, wine terraces are being repaired. On the right, an olive grove has been cleared of brambles and invasive low vegetation.
Reach the road and follow it to the left. Continue eastwards. At the fork in the road, continue left, descending on the same road, still heading east until you reach Coll Perdiguer.
(10) Descend to the left, heading north, before the two cisterns. The path is rutted at the beginning. Further down, join the Coll del Mig road. The IGN map is inaccurate.
(11) The path is marked. Turn left onto the pavement towards the roundabout below. Signpost.
Go around the roundabout on the right, staying on the pavement. At the exit, cross the two successive pedestrian crossings with caution. Then turn left onto an old, damaged road behind the concrete wall that borders the road.
Walk along the protective fence of the SNCF enclosure. Turn right, still walking along the fence, then look down on the numerous tracks on your right. Go downhill, then turn right to pass under the railway line. At the exit of the pedestrian tunnel, turn right again and head for the station car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Difficult 
Association / Club / Walk leader
Easy 
