Arboussols and Marcèvol from Eus

This walk, through a mid-mountain heath landscape, will take you from Eus to visit Arboussols and then Marcèvol, two picturesque mid-mountain villages in the Conflent region.
The path from Eus initially climbs northwards along the Chemin de Coma, then winds through the heath towards the village of Arboussols and on to Marcèvol, where you can visit the priory. This walk is a great way to discover the heritage and typical flora of the Conflent region.

Details

67249067
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.36 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,821 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,821 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,156 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,250 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Access by car to the village of Eus in the Conflent region. Park in the car park in front of the Town Hall.

(S/E) From the car park, either take the steps next to the town hall and head towards Carrer de Coma, or continue a few metres further up the road and turn left onto Carrer de Coma.

(1) At the Fork in the road, by the last house, follow the path opposite heading north.

(2) At the Fork in the road, take the path on the right which crosses the Ruisseau de Comes. Continue to a junction of paths (elevation 465).

(3) Continue straight ahead along the path, cross two córrecs (streams) and reach a junction with a track (elevation 547).

(4) Continue straight ahead, cross a còrrec, pass over a ridge (elevation 589) and descend to reach a track (alt. 528 m).

(5) Turn left onto this track towards Arboussols and join another track.

(6) Either continue along the Chemin d’Eus (track), or, as on this route, take a shortcut to the left which leads to the village and joins a road junction.

(7) Turn right onto the Chemin d’Eus until you reach another junction in the centre of the village.

(8) Turn left onto the Chemin de Sainte-Eulalie (road), heading north. You’ll reach a junction (alt. 650 m).

(9) Turn right and head for the Chapel of Sainte-Eulalie.

(10) Turn back.

(9) Turn right onto the path heading north, then south-east, until you reach a fork (alt. 630).

(11) Turn left onto the north-easterly path until you reach a track.

(12) Turn right onto it to reach the outskirts of Marcèvol.

(13) Leave the track and take the path leading to Marcèvol. Follow the D35c to the priory car park.

(14) Turn left to head for the Priory of el Menestir (Priory of Marcevol).

(15) After your visit, turn back.

(14) Continue left along the D35c for 300 m.

(16) Leave the road and take the small path running along the hillside towards Arboussols, which is circular and rejoins the D35c.

(17) Follow it to the left and arrive at Arboussols at the junction with the D35 coming from Marquixanes.

(18) Leave the D35 and head right for 40 m, then turn right onto the Chemin d’Eus to return to the junction you passed on the way out.

(8) Carry on straight ahead, in the opposite direction to the way you came, along the path you took on the way there, and you’ll reach Eus and the town hall car park (S/E).
Don’t miss a visit to this charming Catalan village in the Conflent region.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,270 ft - Town hall car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.07 - alt. 1,302 ft - Northern fork
  3. 2 : mi 0.15 - alt. 1,283 ft - Junction towards the stream
  4. 3 : mi 0.49 - alt. 1,522 ft - Junction
  5. 4 : mi 1.09 - alt. 1,798 ft - Trail junction
  6. 5 : mi 1.75 - alt. 1,732 ft - Junction
  7. 6 : mi 2.56 - alt. 1,932 ft - Junction for a shortcut
  8. 7 : mi 2.84 - alt. 1,867 ft - Road junction
  9. 8 : mi 3.01 - alt. 1,886 ft - Junction of the circular loop in Arboussols
  10. 9 : mi 3.93 - alt. 2,133 ft - Junction. Return trip to the chapel
  11. 10 : mi 3.98 - alt. 2,149 ft - Capella de Santa Eulària (Saint Eulalia)
  12. 11 : mi 4.6 - alt. 2,067 ft - Junction
  13. 12 : mi 4.89 - alt. 2,067 ft - Trail junction
  14. 13 : mi 5.91 - alt. 1,923 ft - Crossroads on the outskirts of Marcèvol
  15. 14 : mi 6.12 - alt. 1,850 ft - Junction. Return trip to the priory
  16. 15 : mi 6.2 - alt. 1,850 ft - Prieuré de Marcevol
  17. 16 : mi 6.47 - alt. 1,801 ft - Junction on the path
  18. 17 : mi 7.81 - alt. 1,857 ft - D35c
  19. 18 : mi 8.32 - alt. 1,870 ft - Road junction
  20. S/E : mi 11.36 - alt. 1,270 ft - Town hall car park

Notes

Bring sunglasses, a fleece hat and a windbreaker in winter, good walking shoes and a water bottle (there’s a water source in Arboussols), and a 1:25,000 paper map just in case.

Worth a visit

The heath is a type of vegetation typical of the Mediterranean climate, characterised by limestone soils and exposure to the sun. In the Eus region, as in other parts of the Pyrénées-Orientales, the heath flora is diverse and includes many species adapted to dry conditions and hot summers.

- Eus is a picturesque French village situated in the Pyrénées-Orientales, in the Occitanie region of southern France. It is perched on a hill, offering a panoramic view of the Roussillon plain and the Mediterranean Sea. Eus is known for its narrow, winding streets, its stone houses and its distinctive architecture, making it a very popular destination for tourists.
The village is one of ‘Les Plus Beaux Villages de France’ (France’s Most Beautiful Villages), a distinction that recognises villages with exceptional architectural and historical heritage. Among Eus’s notable sites are the 18th-century Church of Saint-Vincent, as well as various spots offering spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.
Eus is also renowned for its sunny climate and gardens, which attract nature lovers. Finally, the village has retained a certain authenticity and charm, making it a prime destination for those seeking a peaceful experience away from the hustle and bustle of big cities.

- Arboussols is a small village situated in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, in the Occitanie region of southern France. It lies near the town of Prades and is nestled in a mountainous landscape, offering beautiful views of the surrounding hills.
Arboussols is known for its picturesque charm, with narrow alleyways, stone houses and a peaceful natural setting. Arboussols is also famous for its cultural and historical heritage, notably the Church of Saint-Étienne, which dates back to the Middle Ages.
The village is surrounded by vineyards and orchards, and the region is known for its agricultural produce, particularly fruits such as peaches and apricots. The proximity of the mountains also makes it ideal for outdoor activities, such as hiking and mountain biking.
Arboussols is a place that attracts those seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of big cities and enjoy the tranquillity of the Catalan countryside. It is also one of those villages steeped in a rich local culture and a lovely Mediterranean atmosphere.

- Marcèvol is a small village situated in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, in the Occitanie region, in the south of France. Like other villages in this region, Marcèvol is characterised by its picturesque setting and tranquillity, making it a popular spot for hiking and getting close to nature.
The village is best known for its Romanesque abbey, the Abbey of Saint-Martin de Marcèvol, which dates back to the 12th century. This historic building is a major point of interest and bears witness to the region’s architectural and religious heritage. The abbey is surrounded by magnificent natural landscapes, including mountains, forests and rivers, making it a peaceful place conducive to contemplation.
Marcèvol, like other villages in the Pyrénées-Orientales, also offers a glimpse into the traditional rural way of life, with farms and agricultural activities still thriving. The village is a good starting point for exploring the hiking trails and enjoying the natural beauty of the surrounding area.
The region is also rich in Catalan culture, which is reflected in the language, cuisine and local traditions. This helps to make Marcèvol an interesting place for both visitors and locals alike.

- Marcèvol Priory.
- Church of Eus.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
Laurianne Derreux
Laurianne Derreux

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with beautiful views, the little chapel, the priory and a stroll through the villages. On the way back to Eus, I followed the “Grande Deveze circular route” to mix things up a bit, and I was treated to a magnificent view of the hilltop village

Machine-translated

marie fanjeaux
marie fanjeaux

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 26, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very easy route to follow. A long hike with moderate elevation gain. Interesting in spring. Views of the snow-capped Pyrenees, mimosa trees in bloom. There is also plenty to see culturally, with castles, chapels, abbeys and remarkable villages.

Machine-translated

chanchou
chanchou

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Plenty of trails and no major difficulties; superb views of Mont Canigou.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.