Barraca del Faig - Coll d’en Cé from Leca

From Perpignan, head towards Le Boulou, then Amélie-les-Bains, then Arles-sur-Tech. Just on leaving Arles, turn right towards Corsavy and Batère via the D43. On leaving Corsavy, follow signs for Batère and Léca via the D43.
After crossing the Riuferrer, turn sharp left towards Léca. Park at the end of the road in one of the two designated car parks.

Yellow markings

(S/E) Head towards the Riuferrer and cross it via the long footbridge. Turn right after the footbridge, following the clear yellow markings.
Wade across the Còrrec del Prat de Cervall. Continue climbing along this beautiful forest path.

(1) Cut across a track at the 1135m mark and continue straight ahead, still climbing. Pass two hairpin bends.
Ignore the incorrect IGN map detail at this point. The junction we need is not at all near the ruins of the orri.
Continue along the correct path to reach a clearly marked junction and its signpost.

(2) The route shown here is representative of the terrain up to the next signpost.
Turn right towards Devese / Faig on a gentle descent, then cross the Còrrec de Cortal Triador.
Then continue uphill again to reach a fork with a signpost.

(3) Continue straight up the hill, still following the yellow markings.
Further on, the path has collapsed at a trough. Go left over the top via the path that has formed.
This will take you to a fork with a signpost. Junction with the^GR® Pays Volta del Canigó (Circuit / Tour of Canigou).

Red and yellow markings

(4) Continue straight ahead towards Faig via the^GRP®. Pass the Fontaine de la Rabassa on your left and a small valley (Còrrec). Take care, as you will need to leave this^GRP® shortly^.

No markings. Cairns

(5) Note: if in doubt, continue along the^GRP® until the sharp right-hand bend uphill. See also practical information.
- Turn left, leaving the^GRP®. The climb is steep. Numerous cairns help you make your way up above el Riuferrer on your right below. This leads you to the magnificent dry-stone hut with its vaulted roof and a still-intact orri next to it.
Please note: by late summer 2024, the old pastures are overgrown with ferns; only the tracks made by cows allow access to the orri and the huts.

(6) A beautiful, open spot. Please respect this place.
Continue generally south-westwards across open ground, climbing steeply to reach, some forty metres higher up, the beautiful Barraca del Faig (Beech Hut).

(7) A magnificent spot. Please respect this place.
Breathtaking views over the densely wooded valley and the surrounding ridges and peaks.
Then head due north across open ground towards el Riuferrer.
To do this, find a path coming from the right leading to the stone hut and follow the cairns closely to cross the Còrrec as safely as possible. Head right, climbing a few metres to rejoin the^GRP® at a fork and its signpost.

Red and yellow markings

(8) Continue left, ascending via the^GRP®.* A very beautiful balcony path, on the edge of the forest, with magnificent views of this massif and the surrounding ridges.
After a long, pleasant walk, you’ll come to a poorly marked junction at elevation 1663.

(9) Continue straight ahead along the^GRP® for 150 m until you reach another fork and its signpost with no indication.

(10) Turn sharply right, still on the^GRP®, to begin a long descent through the forest.
Much further down, reach an open area, go through a wire fence and a gate that seems out of place here, and arrive at the flat section known as the Coll d’en Cé. No clear views.

No signposting

(11) “From this pass, there is a gentle descent to Léca”. See practical information.
Leave the^GRP®. Continue straight ahead on the track which heads due east at first. During this long, relaxing descent, discover beautiful views and various farmhouses: abandoned, undergoing renovation or restored. You will then reach the road leading to the hamlet and the (S/E).

• (5) If you need to shorten the hike, just after crossing El Riuferrer, you can descend directly to Coll d’en Cé (11) via the track.
• From Coll d’en Cé, the tracks shown on base maps or on GPX file sharing sites pass through private land. You must therefore stay on the well-maintained track.

The recorded route corresponds to the terrain and does not fully reflect the IGN route...

Fountain before the (5). Water from the streams must be filtered or treated with a disinfectant tablet (grazing area).
Cabin and orri (6). Comfortable cabin (7).

This is a mid-mountain area. You will need: a windbreaker, rain gear, water, snacks, GPX track, route description, map, GPS or Visorando app, camera, good walking boots, a walking stick.

Hike completed on 07/11/2021, 12/09/2024. Gusty Tramontane.
In Languedoc, the Tramontane is a north-north-westerly wind blowing from the mountain ranges.

Leca is a hamlet of Corsavy, itself a village in the middle Vallespir, on the left bank of the Tech.