Boule d'Amont - Coll de Seleig - Coll de Les Arques - Serrabona

The suggested walk takes you up to the ridge, where you can enjoy a superb panoramic view.
Serrabona Abbey, on the route described, is well worth a visit. This site, which is in excellent condition, is currently being refurbished.
An additional route starting from Serrabona can be added to this hike. *
The walk will be moderately difficult (sense of direction required) and will take an extra hour and a half.
Please note. Observed on 14 January 2024: after the (6), the track has been widened, the pastures cleared, and trees felled. The original path is very difficult to follow: the markings and posts have disappeared! The GPX track is very useful from this point onwards.

Details

991425
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.41 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,480 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,454 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,366 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,365 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) From the car park, head towards the church by climbing the steps. At the small square, turn right, heading due north, up into the village. Follow yellow and white markings. The path overlooks the road on the right-hand side. Please note, the markings are very sparse but in very good condition (8 November 2018). Join a wide track.

(1) At the fork, turn left onto the track which then turns due north. Follow this track uphill for 300 m. Please note, you will need to leave the track and the yellow and white markings.

(2) At the next junction, turn left. Leave the yellow and white markings. Climb up the wide path. There is a yellow and white Cross. Cairns will help you continue the climb. Join the track.

(3) At the 510m mark, turn left onto the track. Continue climbing along the track for 1,200 m. You will reach the 605m mark, at a fork in the path.
Note: Keep Mas Bulet on your right.

(4) Turn left onto the track, which you will need to leave after 300 m at the next fork. Continue left, still climbing, taking three bends along the track. There are abandoned cars and a tractor here.
Note: Pass Mas Domigo on your right.

(5) At the fork, at the fourth bend, turn left onto a small track, partly overgrown with grass. Climb steadily along this small track. Follow the route on the map carefully. There are cairns. You must keep climbing. Ignore all side tracks. The track you are following climbs and then heads due north. Pass Còrrec d'en Cesta (alt. 700 m). At the next junction (alt. 699 m), continue straight on. You will arrive at a large open area. There is a metal post with two directions marked in black felt-tip pen, a large cairn, and an abandoned blue van.

(6) Observed on 14 January 2024: track widened, pastures cleared, timber cut. The original path is very difficult to follow: the markings and posts have disappeared! The GPX track is very useful from this point onwards.
At this unnamed pass, head left along a track, south-west. From here, you’ll find some traces of yellow markings. Continue climbing along this track; after the track turns west, you’ll reach an open area at Coll de Saleig.

(7) Viewpoint (return), 20 m to the left. Head straight ahead, climbing, due north-west. Look for the well-marked path on the ground, which climbs up this grassy, scrub-covered spur. Yellow markings are present. The path then opens out and leads to another open area on the ridge line, at Coll de les Arques.

(8) Signposts are present. Yellow and white markings in very good condition.
Turn right and follow a fence, keeping it on your left. Continue climbing along this ridge, heading due north. Pass the Pic d’en Serradell (elevation 1027 m) and Els Siurers (elevation 1004 m). The path then descends towards an unnamed pass below the Pic Ambrosi. Do not cross the fence. Do not climb towards the peak.

(9) At the fork (alt. 960 m), turn right and descend steeply due east. Yellow and white markings in very good condition.
At around 850 m, the path turns north-east. Pass the 747 m mark. Caution: at the two forks you encounter, continue straight on. At around 685 m, the path turns right, heading due south-east towards Serrabona Abbey (the site has been redeveloped, notably with the planting of olive trees, cheese production and sheep farming).

(10) Turn right, heading due south-west. Yellow and white markings in very good condition. The path climbs slightly. Cross the Còrrec d’en Fines; the well-marked path turns south-east. Further on (at 655 m), the path turns south-west and descends. Cross the Còrrec de La Corbera. The path turns due east and climbs again. Cross another stream. Continue climbing. You’ll reach a small open area at the Coll de l’Aspic crossroads.

(11) Continue straight ahead along a small stony track that descends rapidly, due south-east. Follow the yellow and white markings. Follow the GPX track and the route described here carefully.
Join a wider, motorable track. Follow it for 120 m to the fork (elevation 523 m).
Note: Leave the farmhouse on your left as you follow the track.

(12) Leave the track. Head right uphill, up the embankment, south-eastwards, towards the forest. Pay attention to the yellow and white markings, which are in very good condition. The well-marked path descends. Cross the Còrrec d’en Cesta. You will emerge onto a wide, passable track.

(2) Follow the route back in the opposite direction to the outward journey and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,365 ft - Village car park below the church.
  2. 1 : mi 0.16 - alt. 1,450 ft - Junction – Turn left
  3. 2 : mi 0.36 - alt. 1,535 ft - Crossroads of the circular loop
  4. 3 : mi 0.49 - alt. 1,670 ft - Junction – Turn left
  5. 4 : mi 1.23 - alt. 1,985 ft - Junction – Turn left.
  6. 5 : mi 1.59 - alt. 2,126 ft - Junction – Turn left
  7. 6 : mi 2.24 - alt. 2,356 ft - Junction – Left
  8. 7 : mi 3.08 - alt. 2,884 ft - Coll de Saleig - Right
  9. 8 : mi 3.6 - alt. 3,346 ft - Coll de Les Arques – Turn right.
  10. 9 : mi 4.43 - alt. 3,169 ft - Junction – Turn right
  11. 10 : mi 5.42 - alt. 1,975 ft - Serrabona Abbey – On the right.
  12. 11 : mi 7.12 - alt. 2,067 ft - Crossroads of paths and tracks – Opposite
  13. 12 : mi 7.57 - alt. 1,726 ft - Junction – Turn right
  14. S/E : mi 8.41 - alt. 1,365 ft - Village car park below the church.

Notes

This is a mid-mountain area: protective clothing for rain, water, snacks, route map, description, map, GPS, camera, good walking shoes, walking stick.

The water source at Serrabona Abbey is not drinkable: the spring has dried up, as observed on 14 January 2024.
There is a large picnic area with tables at this location.

Close gates, fences and other barriers securely along the route.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
User 17786195

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I really enjoyed this hike because of its diversity, beautiful climb, and not-too-long ridge route. It's great when there's a tramontane wind. The descent to the priory is a bit difficult, so hiking poles are recommended. After the priory, there's a very pretty return trip through holm oak forests.
I didn't really find the cairns mentioned at the start of the route, but it wasn't difficult thanks to the GPX track and the description.
The 6-hour time estimate is accurate, so allow a little extra time to include a visit to the priory.
I recommend it.

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Olivier66
Olivier66

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The hike is one-third uphill, one-third downhill and one-third along ridges with breathtaking views.
It is moderately difficult to difficult, but the scenery is well worth the effort. It took us a little over four hours because we spent 30 minutes admiring the Priory of Serrabone, a magnificent sight.

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JEROME DES BOIS
JEROME DES BOIS

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful circular, best done in autumn

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titi670
titi670
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike but lots of forest, not much variety in the landscape.
Lots of hunters nearby and gunshots... very dangerous on the day we did this hike.
It would be advisable to check before setting off on the hike to avoid coming face to face with hunters...

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doume3851
doume3851

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We did this hike on 30 January 2024, in the opposite direction to the one planned on Visorando. This route is classified as moderate. I would classify it as rather difficult for older people and, despite being well trained, I found the descent from the Col d'en Serradell to the priory very challenging. I think it would be the same in the planned direction. In any case, the view of the two valleys from the Col d'En Serradell is magnificent. After the gruelling descent, a rest at a table in the beautifully maintained garden of the priory was most welcome (thank you, Saint Doliprane 1000, for my knees and muscles). We also noticed the decline in vegetation due to the drought, with no grass in the pastures and even the rockroses hanging their heads. The lack of snow on Canigou does not bode well unless things change soon. Don't hesitate to visit the authentic village of Boule d'Amont. There are no recently built houses, and the old houses and buildings are perfectly maintained. A church dating from 1236 watches over the village and its inhabitants. Thank you to Visorando for encouraging us to do this hike.

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ldominique 66420
ldominique 66420

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike in the sunshine and magnificent views from the ridges

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PAT le lion
PAT le lion

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Having done this hike in foggy weather, we weren't able to see the superb 360° landscapes because we could only see up to 50 metres ahead, which was a shame, but otherwise it was a great route and one to do again.

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RandonneurSaisonnier
RandonneurSaisonnier

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

You can start the hike at the Priory of Serrabona and shorten it by about 4 or 5 km by turning right at point (11) (Col d'Aspic) to go directly to point (6). This avoids the climb (points (1) to (6)) and the descent (from point (11)) to/from Boule d'Amont. This beautiful hike begins in the cool forest, with climbs that are not too strenuous, then continues in the sunshine with beautiful views and a steep descent to finish at the Priory.

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Fabrice 66750
Fabrice 66750

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 01, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

An excellent day for this beautiful hike. No wind, just the signposting needs reviewing... Thank you.

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henri57
henri57 ★

Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to give your opinion.

There is a small anomaly in point 5. The trail led us directly to Mas Domingo.

1. What does the description say:

(5) At the fork, take the small, partly grassy track on the left. Continue climbing along this small track. Follow the route on the map. There are cairns. You have to climb...

2. What does the 1:25,000 IGN map show?

Just before the point (5), your direction is as follows: East==> West. At the point (5), you must turn left towards the south-east and take the small, partly grassy track.

3. What did you do:

At point (5), you continued straight ahead heading east==>west==>then ==>north-west towards Mas Domingo.

Conclusion:

There is no minor anomaly at point (5), but you must be careful when you reach this waypoint.

Best regards

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randopyrene
randopyrene
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 17, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The first 5 kilometres of the hike are a bit monotonous, with no views from the trail. You have to reach the ridges to get a magnificent view of the Canigou massif!
We got a little confused at point 5 and ended up directly at the Domingo farmhouse. No problem, though, as the owner gave us a warm welcome and offered us coffee!
The rest of the route was fine, on a good path just as we like them. A visit to Serrabone is a must.

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Lenar Hoyt
Lenar Hoyt

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Enjoyable hike completed on 8 June 2019.
A small correction needs to be made to point (5), which is located at an altitude of 650 metres, not 663 (which caused us to take a very slight detour).
The highest point offers a superb view.
The descent to the Priory is very well marked but fairly uneventful. However, from the Priory to the end of the hike, the paths become much more interesting.

There is an admission charge to visit the priory (€4 full price / €2 reduced price) (open all year round).
However, it is possible to visit the priory gardens, which are very well maintained, free of charge.
There are very clean toilets at the Priory.

The tiny village of Boule d'Amont is magnificent, with places to eat and rooms available to book in the inn.

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SergeFranc
SergeFranc

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 18, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

An interesting and enjoyable walk. Remember to take a windbreaker, especially for the ridge section. The yellow and white markings seem to have been redone recently at the end of the route. There is an admission charge to visit the abbey.

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