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Park in Villefranche-de-Conflent (note that most car parks are pay-and-display).
(S/E) From the roundabout, head west along the N116, skirting the town and its ramparts. You will come to the Pont de Sant Andreu bridge over the Têt river, which you should not cross.
(1) Just after the bridge, at the Route de Fuilla (signposted Corneilla-de-Conflent and marked with yellow signs). The path climbs steadily to the left in numerous hairpin bends.
(2) At an altitude of around 780m, at the crossroads, take the path opposite (south-east), towards "Carrière de marbre" (marble quarry), marked with yellow signs.
(3) After the quarry, leave the track and take the one that turns completely to the right (north-west direction, no markings) to climb up to the Citerne de Vauban and the old Badabany watchtower, from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Canigou massif.
(4) From the cistern, follow the wide track heading south-west (to the right, with your back to the cistern), marked with yellow and white signs. This track descends and takes you almost back to point 3. Shortly before, take the track that descends in a hairpin bend to the right, heading south-east.
(5) At an altitude of 690 m, take the shortcut along the fence to cut across the track.
Caution: do not cut across areas marked as prohibited due to erosion.
(6) At an altitude of 629 m, you will arrive at the dolmen. Take the path on the left that descends to Corneilla-de-Conflent and leads to the road. Continue on the right, cross the bridge to climb up to Corneilla, still following the yellow markings. Join the D116 road, cross it and continue opposite, climbing up into the village (orange markings) via Carrer d'Avall (lower road) then left onto Carrer de la Font de la Barrera (fountain road). You will arrive at the church.
(7) In front of the church, take the path on the left, marked orange, which descends to the Ribera de Fillols (river). This then climbs back up. At the tarmac road, immediately turn right onto the path that climbs north-west and widens to become a track.
(8) Follow the yellow crosses indicating the old route. The IGN trail is not correct.
At around 600 m, at the track (watch out for beehives), turn right for a few metres towards an electric fence (private property sign). Turn left onto a good, well-maintained path with recent yellow markings (November 2024). You will come to a fork. Directional sign.
(9) At around 700 m, at Roc Ampla, take the left-hand path towards Villefranche, heading north-west. At around 780 m, the path turns west (still towards Villefranche). At el Serrat (the mountain), there is a magnificent view of the citadel (5 min round trip).
(10) Return to the path and continue left, still heading towards Villefranche; the path now faces east. It runs alongside the old talc quarry, then descends, passes under the high-voltage line and joins a track.
(11) At the crossroads, take the track on the left which runs alongside the old quarries (on the right). Shortly afterwards, take a path on the left to another path junction. Turn left again towards a magnificent sheepfold and another viewpoint.
(12) Retrace your steps and take the path opposite at the intersection, towards Villefranche, which descends and joins the Ria-Sirach track, which you will follow to the left towards the north-east.
(13) At the next intersection, at around 710 m, continue along the track towards the fortifications, still heading north-east.
(14) At the next crossroads, leave the track and take the path on the left that climbs north-west.
The path goes around Les Ambouillas. At an altitude of 780 m, climb up to the "La redoute d'En Bullas" fortifications in 15 minutes (round trip).
(15) Retrace your steps and begin the descent, continuing left along the winding path towards Villefranche.
(16) At around 660 m, continue downhill to the right. Pass in front of a cavity, cross the irrigation canal and arrive opposite the citadel of Villefranche. Carefully cross the N116 and join the (S/E).
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