Caixas walks

Starting from the town hall in Caixas, the ascent of Mont Helena, the highest point in the area, offers a few surprises in terms of heritage and botany. And above all, an extraordinary panorama of the Roussillon.

The hike is mainly on beautiful trails, mostly wooded and dotted with various information panels. There are many beautiful landscapes. Unfortunately, two chapels are closed along the route (20 April 2023), but there is an old well and an information panel explaining how the forest landscape is maintained through traditional pastoral farming.This hike is called the Iron Trail, used by the Romans to transport iron from the Batère mines. It passes through the pretty hamlet of Els Hostalets.This hike can be done by mountain bike.

A beautiful heritage getaway in the heart of the Aspres. However, pay attention to strategic points as this is an unmarked hike. The starting point is at the car park (unfortunately subject to a charge) of the Sainte-Marie du Mercadal Church (listed as a Historic Monument).

This loop offers breathtaking views of the castle and village of Castelnou from Roc de Majorque. It was from this highest point that several destructive attacks were launched on the castle.

Here is a lovely walk that takes place in the foothills of the Aspres, at the foot of Mont Canigou.

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.

Starting from the village of Sainte-Colombe-de-la-Commanderie, we will take paths through the heath to Castenou, one of the most beautiful villages in France, then on to Roc Majorque with a 360° view of the Roussillon plain.

Passes, open-cast mines at Els Menerots, old miners' buildings, roasting oven, hoppers, old mining railway, wagons, tunnel, and finally, Roman road, snow well. All these curiosities punctuate this beautiful and unusual route in this Catalan massif, long exploited for its iron ore. This route consists of a few roads and tracks. The markings are in good condition, but the GPX track will be a real bonus in places, despite the accurate IGN map.

This circular route goes around the ridges of the Serrabone priory in the Eastern Pyrenees. Starting from the priory, the trail climbs to the right towards the ridges, then follows them before descending back to the priory. Landscape of moorland and heath in the mid-mountains. The hike can be continued with a visit to the Serrabone priory in the commune of Boule d'Amont.

A beautiful hike, with a significant section along the ridge, which requires the use of a GPS or the Visorando app. Take care on the steep descent between (6) and (7). Hike classified as difficult (no signposting, sense of direction). Early January 2024: path blocked from the Coll de les Arques. Then, after the Coll de Saleig, tree felling, pasture clearing and track widening have removed all the markings and directional signs! At Coll de l’Aspic: a large area has been cleared and widened! So no more markings; the only landmark is the old blue van at this pass. The landscape, stretching as far as the eye can see, remains as beautiful as ever. You should allow around 5 hours to complete this circular route, including breaks and trips to the viewpoints. The .gpx track may prove useful at the start of the route from (2) to (6), and from (13) to (14).

This is a beautiful round-trip hike that can be done in summer as it takes place mostly in the woods and on the northern slope for the most part. The trail markings, which were recently redone (PR® Yellow), make it easy to follow the path from Taulis to the Col de Formentera. The Tour de Batère, at the end of the hike, crowns the outing with beautiful 360° views.

A superb getaway in the heart of Catalan heritage, punctuated by chapels, panoramic views and history.

A beautiful hike in the open air with the aim of climbing Santa Anna dels Quatre Termes. First, a climb to Coll Palomeres, then a very beautiful ridge path to reach Creu del Turon (crossroads on the hill). Then a steep climb to reach the ruins of the chapel located on the cadastral boundary of four municipalities (hence its name). The return via the Chemin Rural from Creu d'en Turon is very interesting. Marked path on private property: please respect the areas you pass through and close gates and fences behind you.

An easy hike through the woods on good paths, mostly signposted, which will take you to the remains of the old talc mine.

This is a pleasant route in the foothills of Vallespir, above Reynes, where you can enjoy the scent and colour of the mimosas in mid-February and the cork oak forests (suberaies). There are several viewpoints offering views of the Sant-Ferriol Chapel, the town of Céret, the Tech Valley and the Canigou Massif.

A short walk around the Chapel and the Mas de Sant-Pau. Beautiful panoramic views of Reynes and Céret. First part along the tarmac road (very little traffic) then along the paths.

A short, easy family walk that takes you from the beautiful Pont du Diable bridge in Céret to the Château d'Aubiry and its grounds. The imposing Canigou massif dominates the Têt valley in the distance. The château was built by Jean Bardou (founder of the JOB brand) for one of his children.

A very beautiful hike with views of the eastern slope of the Canigou Massif and a visit to the Pinosa mining site (a listed historic monument) which bears witness to the work and living conditions of miners in the 19th and 20th centuries. A beautiful 360° panorama at the summit of Pic de l'Estelle over the Corbières to the north, the sea and the Albères to the east, Spain to the south and the slopes of Canigou to the west. The Batère Tower on the descent from the peak is reminiscent of the system of signal towers erected in the Middle Ages, which formed a communication network: at night using fires and during the day using smoke.

An exceptional heritage walk at one of the major sites of the Canigou iron mines, which is also a key site commemorating the Resistance. Once at the site, heritage signage provides an insight into the area’s rich history.

A superb heritage trail starting from Coll Palomeres, plunging into the heart of the industrial golden age of the Pyrénées-Orientales. The route passes through ancient mining ruins, evidence of a rich past, before reaching the imposing Tour de Batère, offering spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

From Saint-Jean-Pla-de-Corts, these two marked trails lead up to Vivès and then Llauro*.E beautiful hike on wide, comfortable paths and tracks, which can be split into two.The markings are visible in the direction described.The return from Llauro is along a ridge path and then from the (12) along a DFCI track.Not recommended for those who do not like tracks and wide paths.Fortunately, the landscape makes up for this monotony. The starting point is accessible by "€1 bus" from Perpignan or Argelès via Le Boulou, for example.

A pleasant hike starting from Saint-Jean-Pla-de-Corts, especially during the mimosa season, to reach the Hermitage of Sant Ferriol via the Serra del Mas d'en Janet ridge. On the way back, visit the exterior of Aubiry Castle. Several viewpoints over Céret and the Canigou massif. Tracks, paths and dirt trails, with a tarmac road on the return journey. No difficulties along the route.

Hike to discover this low mountain range that was once exploited by humans. Numerous terraces bear witness to this past. Vines were cultivated here. Mechanisation marked the end of the exploitation of these wild and difficult-to-access areas.Yellow markings are virtually non-existent, and recent directional posts have been installed (observed at the end of January 2024). They are not really relevant. A GPX track is necessary on this route with its many paths.

A short, easy walk offering beautiful views of the eastern face of the Canigou massif from the Tour de Batère. You can also see the seaside resorts of Argelès-sur-Mer and others as you head north along the coast.