The Two Fountains circuit

Hike to discover the fountains of Laroque-des-Albères: the Font dels Simiots and amazing animals which, according to legend, kidnapped babies and came to settle near the fountain after being dislodged from Arles-sur-Tech; the Font de la Vernosa, a well-preserved, beautiful fountain from where one has a magnificent view of the plain of Roussillon.

Technical sheet

201023
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.13 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 410 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 409 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 504 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 101 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the Tourism Office or at the Post Office of Laroque-des-Albères.

(S/F) From the Tourist Office/Hiking Centre, go between buildings and join a street. Turn right and then immediately left into Rue Arago. Reach the church and the village centre.

(1) In front of the church door, turn left into Rue de l’Eglise, in a dead end, which follows the trail lined to left by a stream. The trail leaves the village.

On the right, the Moulin de la Pave (an old mill) and then a few metres up a well-shaded fountain. Fontaine des Oiseaux (2). The trail follows a half-buried pipe. Come to a fork, turn right. On your right, a small reservoir. Reach a junction of paths with ring markers.

Cut off the road and take the path opposite in the direction of Dolmen / Pic Neulos / Col de l'Ullat. To the left of the road is the end of the irrigation canal you need to follow to a strategic intersection of paths (the stream of water can be heard below). Take a right on the path down to the river. Cross the ford over the stream, go up to reach a paved road.

(3) Turn left towards Les Deux Fontaines. Do not stray onto private property. The paved road gives way to a trail that climbs through several turns, pass by a trail to the left and reach the 4th pin. Follow the Yellow markings to an intersection.

(4) Turn right on the trail. 150 m further on, pass the track on the left and go straight to the Font Dels Simiots (5).

Retrace your steps and leave the track to take the path on the right indicated by a sign that reads "Les 2 Fontaines”. The trail rises steeply towards the east. Follow the edge with a superb view over the plains and sea.

(6) At the intersection of trails, take the route opposite in the direction of Fontaine de la Vernosa. Follow the path and go through Fontaine de la Vernosa (7) (sign indicating a water point). Continue until you reach a track (picnic table just above). Head down the track on the left towards the plains for nearly two kilometres. Pass by a trail to the left, go ten metres on the track and take the small path on the right and continue to go down. Find the intersection of tracks below passed on the outbound journey.

(4) Follow the trail along the outbound path as far as the paved road.

(3) To the left of the ruins of the Chapel of Roca Vella, continue on the road towards the village, passing by the streets to the left to the Sant Sebastia chapel that was recently restored.

(8) Take Chemin de la Florentine to the right that leads you from the beautiful garden to the old village.
Turn right on Rue du Château as far as the church.

(1) Go back down to the left towards the tourist office by the outbound path (S/F).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 102 m - Parking at the Tourist Office
  2. 1 : km 0.29 - alt. 118 m - Church - Château de Laroque
  3. 2 : km 0.45 - alt. 135 m - Font dels Ocells
  4. 3 : km 1.49 - alt. 180 m - Joint return junction - Sant Fructuós de Roca Vella
  5. 4 : km 2.08 - alt. 271 m - Intersection of runways
  6. 5 : km 3.36 - alt. 349 m - Font dels Simiots
  7. 6 : km 4.17 - alt. 498 m - Trail intersection
  8. 7 : km 5.42 - alt. 449 m - Font de la Vernosa
  9. 8 : km 7.6 - alt. 307 m - Bifurcation
  10. 9 : km 9.44 - alt. 116 m - Junction. Chemin de la Florentine
  11. S/E : km 10.12 - alt. 102 m - Parking at the Tourist Office

Practical information

Water point at the Fontaine aux Oiseaux.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 84 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
math46
math46

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

It was a lovely walk, most of it in the shade, and we didn't feel the heat despite the 28°C temperature. The 1st fountain didn't flow but the second was very refreshing (with a filtering water bottle of course).

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Bruno Alex
Bruno Alex

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

What a lovely walk, organised as a club leader, with paths beside a stream and a waterfall (we had to make a small diversions that wasn't included in the route). Moderately difficult, with a short climb between the 2 fountains. The return journey was a bit tricky due to the unpredictable weather: thunderstorms, hail. We came back soaking wet; that's also the charm of hiking. I would recommend

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Marypi
Marypi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A wonderful discovery! Easy walk overall.
Shaded at certain points, doable in summer.
What a pleasure to see these streams flowing!
I recommend 💯

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Nanou31
Nanou31

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant walk. No great difficulty.

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Kikimumu
Kikimumu

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

It's a lovely walk, but you'll need good shoes as it's very stony. Note that the ford crossing is no longer relevant. A wooden bridge is now in place😁

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Franck st cyprien
Franck st cyprien

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

This is a lovely walk with no major difficulties, so it's accessible to all.
Lovely scenery, even in summer when the trail is shaded.

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Delasu
Delasu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Superb hike. Lovely views. A must-do.

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Milomaron82350!!
Milomaron82350!!

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Beautiful, well-marked route. Beautiful scenery as far as the eye can see. No particular difficulties.

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gegemomo
gegemomo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very nice walk

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Baikonour
Baikonour

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful tour in May.
Everything is in bloom and the views are breathtaking!
Very well signposted route
Do it again and again in different seasons

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Yena
Yena

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

👍

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Yena
Yena

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

👍
..................

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orgeatine
orgeatine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Superb walk, thanks for the route

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FrançoiseD
FrançoiseD

Lovely walk with a shady section, pleasant to do, great views.

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cloclo66
cloclo66
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A beautiful, well-marked and geo-referenced walk. Gradual gradient. Magnificent views over the Roussillon plain and gorges. Without exerting ourselves, we took 2 hours 50 minutes instead of the 4 hours 15 minutes announced.

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