Codalet, Salver mining site and Saint-Michel de Cuxa Abbey

A pleasant hike in Conflent Roman, on trails partly through the woods, around the Taurinya valley, where the Abbey of Saint-Michel de Cuxa (10th and 12th centuries), one of the largest pre-Romanesque churches in Europe, is nestled. See also the impressive siphon of the Bohère Canal and, at the foot of Canigou, the former Salver de Taurinya mining site. Several viewpoints over the valley and the Canigou massif.

Details

47871841
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.92 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 592 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 590 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 850 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 436 m

Description of the walk

To reach Sant Joan de Dossorons Chapel, take the Prades bypass towards Ria. After the bypass, turn left at the first crossroads (Codalet). Turn right at the first street, cross the level crossing and follow the small road to Sant Joan Chapel. There is parking for no more than three cars near the chapel.

(S/E). With your back to the chapel, follow the track that starts opposite until you reach the intersection of the circular route.

(1) Continue straight ahead until you reach a crossroads.

(2) Follow the path on the left diagonally. Then pass two descending paths and find thePR® marked trail. Follow it to the right until the next intersection.

(3) Leave thePR® which descends to the right and turn left towards the Tour del Corts. Reach the site by continuing straight ahead at the first two forks. You will come to a third fork.

(4) Make a return trip to the Tours del Corts (viewpoint) then continue along the path to the next fork.

(5) Leave the marked trail and take the one on the right. Cross the paved road (D27) with caution and take the trail opposite to the next fork with a yellow marked trail.

(6) Take this path on the right before leaving another path coming from the same side further up. Climb up to La Socarrada.

(7) Follow thePR® trail on the left from the Salver Mining Site to reach a fork.

(8) Continue on thePR® to another fork near the mines.

(9) Turn left and enter the site. After a short visit to the plateau, descend the sloping ramp that was once used to transport ore.

(10) At the bottom of the ramp, take the path on the right that was used to transport ore on small wagons pulled by a locomotive located at the end of the path.

(11) Go down to the left (end of the mining site) and ignore a fork in the road to take the road towards Taurinya.

(12) Follow the track to the right below the road. Then quickly leave it to take the path on the right that climbs towards Coll del Joal, leaving a fork on the right.

(13) Continue on the path opposite to Coll de Clarà.

(14) Descend on the second track (PR®) starting from the left. Follow several hairpin bends and then negotiate a sharp left-hand bend.

(15) Take the path on the right to the district road. Turn right and follow the track coming from this side to the next fork.

(16) Continue straight ahead, then take the first path on the left to see the Bohère Canal siphon.

(17) Return to the previous junction.

(16) Turn right. Then turn left towards Saint-Michel de Cuxa Abbey and follow the road on the right to the abbey car park.

(18) Take the path on the left and cross the stream (wooden bridge) to reach the canal.

(19) When you reach the canal, turn right and follow it to the first crossroads on the way there.

(1) Turn right to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 452 m - Sant-Joan Chapel
  2. 1 : km 0.56 - alt. 486 m - Intersection of tracks
  3. 2 : km 1.37 - alt. 520 m - Junction
  4. 3 : km 2.51 - alt. 655 m - Fork in the road towards the Tour del Corts
  5. 4 : km 3.1 - alt. 645 m - Tour del Corts
  6. 5 : km 3.34 - alt. 645 m - Fork
  7. 6 : km 3.76 - alt. 681 m - Yellow marked trail
  8. 7 : km 4.39 - alt. 798 m - La Socarrada, PR of the mining site
  9. 8 : km 5.13 - alt. 813 m - Fork
  10. 9 : km 5.57 - alt. 771 m - Junction near the mines
  11. 10 : km 5.88 - alt. 703 m - Bottom of the ramp
  12. 11 : km 6.22 - alt. 705 m - End of the mining site.
  13. 12 : km 6.93 - alt. 628 m - Taurinya road
  14. 13 : km 7.78 - alt. 699 m - Coll del Joal
  15. 14 : km 8.47 - alt. 654 m - Col or Coll de Clara (654m)
  16. 15 : km 10.28 - alt. 563 m - Intersection after the hairpin bend
  17. 16 : km 11.1 - alt. 475 m - Intersection
  18. 17 : km 11.37 - alt. 483 m - The Siphon
  19. 18 : km 12.24 - alt. 442 m - Saint-Michel de Cuxa Abbey
  20. 19 : km 12.77 - alt. 485 m - Canal
  21. S/E : km 14.92 - alt. 453 m - Sant Joan Chapel

Notes

Easy hike.
Shelter and water point in the village of Taurinya and at Saint-Michel de Cuxa Abbey.

Worth a visit

Much of the hike is marked with yellowPR® signs.
(2) Before this point, there is a viewpoint overlooking Saint-Michel de Cuxa Abbey.
(4) La Tour del Corts.
(9) Salver mining site
(11) End of the mining site.
(17) Siphon of the Bohère Canal
Before (18), small chapel of Sant Pere and a stele.
(18) Abbey of Saint-Michel de Cuxa.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Olivier66
Olivier66

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike of moderate difficulty.
Relatively sheltered from the wind and shaded, best done in May or June.

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Patufet
Patufet

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant and varied hike. Beautiful heritage sites to discover. The arrival above the mining site is magnificent. And let's not forget St Michel de Cuxa, where we passed in the middle of the afternoon under a bright sun.
Parking near the chapel is very difficult.
A very beautiful day!

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Courbon Anne
Courbon Anne

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No


Please note that there is no parking available at the start of the hike. Barely enough space for one car.

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Gruobcity!05
Gruobcity!05

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, it's a magnificent hike, with varied landscapes, cultural interest, and beautiful views.
For me and the person who accompanied me, it's one to do again...
However, parking at the chapel is prohibited, but we were able to park a little further down (50 metres) along the small road.
Thank you for this hike.

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LLAR
LLAR

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

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Jack66
Jack66

Thank you for your comment. This hike is truly rich in heritage. I am glad you had a pleasant day.

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sofb66
sofb66

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike! Very informative about the iron mines. However, you need to be careful because there are many paths that cross each other. With the Visorando trail, I had no problems. No difficulty.

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