Valmigère loop

Park in the small, inconspicuous car park in front of the town hall at the bottom of the village, on the edge of the RD54 in front of a low circular reservoir.

(S/E) Head towards the town hall and take the path that leads north-east along the hillside. This path passes between a few houses, then continues through the undergrowth for most of the way, with a slight incline at the beginning, then almost no incline until a small descent that leads to a T-junction, opposite the fence of a pasture.

(1) Turn right onto the path that climbs for about 200 metres to a fork.

(2) Continue to the right, following the markings, and climb through the woods on the path, which has a few hairpin bends.

(3) At the third hairpin bend, you can go straight ahead to see a remarkable beech tree (signposted A/R in 20 mins). Otherwise, continue climbing the path to a high point where the paths cross.

(4) Continue straight ahead on the dirt track for about 500 metres, with a slight descent at the end. You will come to a forest track and piles of wood: logging is in progress, so these may not be permanent.

(5) Take this track to the right for about 50 metres, then turn left and climb up a very grassy single track. This part is the least obvious, as the path is not very clearly marked on the ground. Follow the yellow markings on the tree trunks as closely as possible to guide you, using GPS if necessary to stay on track. The trail curves to the right in a way that is not very obvious and climbs more steeply up the slope to reach, after crossing a fence, a grazing path that does not appear on the IGN map: there is a small signpost for the other direction of the hike. Follow this path to the right uphill to the summit plateau, whereyou can enjoy views of the Pyrenees: Canigou, Madrès, Monts d'Olmes and Puig de Bugarach.

(6) Take a well-deserved break to admire the panorama. If you wish, climb to the highest point at 908 m (I didn't do this) by continuing to climb to the right. Begin the descent, which is initially gentle but then becomes quite steep, staying as close as possible to the ridge line. On this section of pastureland (there were no cows when I passed through), the path is not obvious: in the absence of trees, the yellow markings are on stones on the ground with a few small cairns to accompany them. Cross a few stony passages and you will come out onto a wider dirt track.

(7) Turn left and follow it downhill to the Col de Valmigère: picnic table.

(8) Cross the road (very little traffic) with caution and continue along the path opposite.

(9) At the first crossroads, continue straight ahead for a good kilometre to reach the next one.

(10) Take the path on the right that descends towards the village.

(11) Just before the entrance to the village, do not continue straight ahead, but turn right, then very quickly left: do not follow the sign for the cemetery. Walk down the village lanes to reach the town hall square (S/E).

Valmigère is about half an hour's drive from the Aude valley along very winding roads that are wide enough to pass another light vehicle.

Water source at the start.

Picnic table at Col de Valmigère (8).

(6) Panoramic view of the Pyrenees mountain range.