Former mining station of Formentera - Coll de Reducta - Montbolo

Access from Perpignan. After passing through the village of Alzona Rodan, cross the Tech river and turn right immediately. The first road on the left is a no-entry road. Follow the Tech river towards Can Trujan for 500 m, Rue du 11 Novembre 1918. At the^first fork, turn left, then left again onto Rue de la Cugullade. Note the start of the old railway line on the left, which has been converted into a greenway*. Continue for 150 m until you reach a fork in the road, near the stream. Park on the right in the large space without causing any obstruction. Long: 2.64427° Lat: 42.46775°

• It is possible to park as soon as you cross the old railway line

(S/E) (Alt. 260 m) Cross the Còrrec de La Serra, heading south (Chemin Trujan on the sign) for 50 m until you reach the boundary wall of a new house (17 March 2021) on the edge of the forest.
At the fork, turn right and climb up a small path that runs alongside old rabbit hutches and a new property wall. The path heads due west. It overlooks the Còrrec de La Serra stream on the right bank. Cross the stream twice and continue climbing through the forest. The path emerges from the forest at Coll d'en Gros, at an altitude of 428.

(1) Turn right, looking for cairns and sparse yellow markings. Climb up the ridge, in the open, heading due north on a well-marked path, with the forest on your right. Higher up, you will find a track.

(2) Turn right onto this track for 30 metres and look for a path on the left in the forest.

(3) A rope helps you climb the embankment. Climb this path, which heads north-west with the fence on your left. Pass Pla del Castanyer. You will come out into a clearing at an altitude of 689.

(4) Continue straight ahead into the forest again.
You will soon come to a fork. Take the left fork. Ignore the path opposite, which continues on level ground.

(5) You will soon come to another fork. Take the right fork heading due north along the ridge path.
There are few markings. Follow the cairns, which are clearly visible. Pass Pla del Rec. Join a track (altitude 905 m).

(6) Turn right onto this track for about 40 m and climb left into the forest. (!) Please note: on 27 February 2026, this route will be impassable. => Go directly to (10).
There are cairns and round fluorescent green and orange markings.
Continue climbing, passing small mounds that correspond to the old reforestation beds. Join a track (altitude 940 m).

(7) Turn left onto the track heading north-west. It then turns west. Pass the altitude 1066. Continue climbing the winding track until you reach a fork in the tracks (altitude 1125 m).
Note: see practical information.

(8) Red and yellow markings for^{the GR®®} de Pays Ronde du Canigou. Turn right towards the old buildings of the former Formentera railway station. This is the highest point of the hike.
Remarkable viewpoint. An old round oven can still be seen on the right-hand side.
Continue to the end of the flat section of the old railway line.
Caution: beehives may be present in some years.
Be careful: descend via a steep path, heading east, along a grassy ridge.
The path then passes to the left of some rocks and heads south-east. At the edge of the forest, take the track on the right, following the red and yellow markings. The path continues south-east.
Follow the red and yellow markings carefully.

(9) At the crossroads of the track and paths at an altitude of 981 metres, take the path opposite, which continues to descend due east. Red and yellow markings. Further down, join a track and follow it to the left. When you reach another wider, vehicle-accessible track, turn left for 50 metres until you reach the crossroads of tracks and paths at Coll de La Reducta (altitude 873).

(10) Be careful, as it is easy to get confused. Follow the red and yellow markings. Descend to the left along a small track, heading east-southeast.

(11) At the crossroads of tracks (altitude 820 m), head straight ahead along a small track. Look for the red and yellow markings, which are not very visible. Continue for 350 m.
Be careful: there is a painted left turn on a tree on your right. Do not take the first path on the left immediately, but continue for about 15 metres.

(12) At the fork, altitude 800 m, leave the track and turn left onto a path that descends. There is a cairn and red and yellow markings painted on a rock. Descend towards Còrrec de Clocamina. The path is rutted.

(13) At the fork (altitude 730 m), turn right, heading south-east. Follow the red and yellow markings. The path then heads due south. Pass Còrrec de La Coma. Join the tarmac road.

(14) At the crossroads (altitude 520 m), there are two options:
- either bypass the village and turn right onto Route de Can Kirc and continue to the fork in the forest.
- Or head straight ahead towards the village of Montbolo, staying on flat ground. There is a public square with benches, water and toilets opposite the church. Do not take the marked path on the left after the bus stop. Pass the town hall and the local bistro on your left.

(15) Leave the red and yellow markings. Do not go down the D53.
Look for signs for La Rodella on the right on the grassy area.
Turn right. Yellow markings. Walk up alongside the church towards the cemetery, heading for the road above on the right. Pass a barbecue and picnic area on the right. Viewpoint. Join a small tarmac road. Then turn left, going uphill, onto Route de Can Kirc. Continue for 250 m.

(16) At an altitude of 610 m, turn left into the forest onto a small path. Follow the yellow markings and the direction of Arles-sur-Tech indicated on a municipal sign. The path then heads south, descending towards Còrrec de Les Pedres. Cross the còrrec. Continue south. Pass a path on your right that climbs up to the antennas.

(17) At an altitude of 517 m, turn right, heading south towards Arles-sur-Tech. Leave the direction of Amélie on your left.

(18) At an altitude of around 250 m, turn right onto the road heading south-west. Follow the red and yellow markings and Rue du Bernadou. Return to the car park where you started (S/E).

This is a mid-mountain area. So, as you would expect, you will need: rain gear, water, snacks, route map, description, map, GPS, camera, good walking shoes and a walking stick.

In winter, the hike can be done with good shoes, gaiters and walking sticks.
Take particular care between (7) and (9). This area is exposed to wind and snow.

(14) In summer, there are two drinking water points in Montbolo (toilets and picnic area) as well as a bus shelter that may be useful.

Note: it is possible to shorten the hike. From (7), take the track to (9).

Public transport
Get off at Alzine Rodona or further on, check with the bus driver.

Industrial mining heritage
The village of Montbolo

Updated 17 March 2021. The yellow markings are in very poor condition. The^GRP®® markings are fine.
Description and route updated on 21 November 2023.