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Go to Col de Banyuls (altitude 352m) from Banyuls-sur-mer. Start the hike from a small car park at the top of the pass before crossing into Spain. To the right of this pass, looking towards Spain, note the presence of a refuge.
Follow the signposts and yellow markings.
(S/E) From the pass, border marker 591, head south-east along a track that climbs along the border. After 400m, continue along the track that climbs to stay on the border ridge (or continue on the flat along the track on the left) and reach the fork after Puig des Forques.
(1) Cut across the track at Coll dels Sabencs and continue opposite, climbing south-east, still following this border ridge which crosses into Spain. After 200m, the path turns left (east). Continue along the border ridge. Yellow markings.
(2) At Coll del Llop, turn right towards the south and follow the border path for about 500m (towards Coll del Torn via Puig de la Calma) to elevation 674. Arrive at Puig de la Calma (there is a crèche here!!!). Beautiful 360° view. The path now heads south-east at an altitude of 645 metres and enters Spain to avoid Puig del Torn on your left. Continue south-east and reach Coll del Torn at an altitude of around 607 metres.
(3) Turn right. Yellow markings. Cross over to the Spanish side and continue south, following the border ridge.
(4) At an altitude of 680m, head due south, descending through dense vegetation where the path is clearly visible. The landmark is the hermitage that can be seen at the bottom of the valley. A semi-underground refuge is located on the left in this area. Look out for it. Reach a fork at around 615 m. This is a very confusing area. There is a Spanish signpost in the middle of the vegetation.
(5) Turn right and continue south-west. Yellow markings. Continue for about 600m, heading due south and continuing to descend. There is a Spanish signpost.
(6) Turn right, heading southwest, into a passage between the rocks. The path then continues downhill, heading south-southwest towards Sant-Quirce-de-Colera. At the next fork, turn right. There is a Spanish signpost. Continue downhill. There is a water tap on the right-hand side in the grazing area. Cross the stream via the footbridge and then head towards the monastery. You can get something to eat at the inn opposite this monument.
(7) After this stop, continue south-west along the track that helps you cross a stream.
(8) At the fork, turn right onto the track and follow the red and white markings ofthe GR®11. Go through a gate. Shortly afterwards, a path climbs and crosses the track twice before rejoining it (325 m), which you follow to the right. Continue right along the track, heading due north. TheGR®11leads to Coll de la Plaja (altitude 395 m). There is a cattle grid here.
(9) Follow the track due north. After 100 m, it turns right towards the east. Red and white markings.
At the fork, before a large left-hand bend, descend to the left to cut across the track. Red and white markings. On your right, you will find a restored fountain, which flows in the middle of this arid area.
Please note that the descent to the fountain is sometimes impassable:
If this descent is overgrown:
Continue on the track that descends the left bank of the stream. You are now on theGR®11. Cross a ford. The track zigzags, crosses another ford, and joins a tarmac road (Mas Pils). Leave the GR® markings.
(10) Turn right and follow this road which climbs to the Col de Banyuls, north-east, for 150 m. Yellow markings.
(11) Before the bridge, turn left. Look for a small grassy track and follow the yellow markings. Follow this track, with the embankment on your left. After 100 m, at the entrance to the grove, turn right, north-east. Look for the yellow markings on a wooden post. Follow this small, grassy, completely degraded track, which follows the bed of the stream coming from the Col de Banyuls. This stream bed follows the road leading up to the pass below. Arrive at the Col de Banyuls refuge (alt. 357 m) (S/E).
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