Circular loop of the Coll d'en Ric via a ridge line from Amélie-les-Bains

From Perpignan, follow signs for Le Boulou, then Céret and Amélie les Bains via the D115.
Park in Amélie-les-Bains. Please note that parking is subject to a charge.
The hike described here starts from an area where parking is free. The easiest way is to cross to the other side of the Tech at the first road bridge and park as quickly as possible on Boulevard de la Petite Provence.

Yellow markings

(S/E) With your back to the Tech, at the roundabout at the entrance to the town, go up the dead-end street heading south (Chemin de Can Pastou). When you reach the gate, turn right onto a wide, very rough track. Leave the tarmac road at the signpost for Le Drapeau, Montalba and Roc de France.
You really need to pay attention, as the path is very rutted. After that, it is in better condition.

(1) At the first fork, go up to the left, signposted: Roc de France. The correct path to follow climbs steeply up the ridge.

(2) Cross a grassy track with obstacles. Further on, you will find a steel signpost: Can Fèlix. Continue climbing and cross another track. Continue along this good path, leaving the ridge line.

(3) At a faint fork, continue straight ahead on this good path. Leave a narrow path marked by a cairn on your left. Continue climbing. The path will rejoin the ridge line. Pass a rocky area. Caution: you will need to find a small path on the left.

(4) Look for a cairn against a rocky area on the left. The path turns left for one or two metres, climbing steeply, then turns right. Follow the ridge line and continue climbing until you reach Puig del Bosquet.

This narrow path is marked on the ground. You still need to pay attention to spot it in the undergrowth.
At around 780 m, the ascending path turns left towards the south-east, still following the ridge line perfectly. At around 850 m, a path that is better marked on the ground makes it easier to walk. At this point, it corresponds to the dotted line on the IGN map. Continue climbing and join a cross path not marked on the IGN map, in a small open grassy area. Reach Puig del Bosquet (Wood Peak).

(5) Enjoy this beautiful spot for a break, then turn left and descend along a good grassy path that is clearly marked on the ground. The path widens and leads to another open area that is green and well-grazed.

Caution: this is a very confusing area, so follow the description carefully. The paths are not marked on any IGN or OSM map. On the ground, there are two successive forks, not a crossroads.
At the^first fork (at an altitude of 978), in this open area, head slightly to the left for about 50 metres, continuing uphill along a wide path that quickly turns left and enters a forest towards a crossroads.

Sparse but clearly visibleyellow markings

(6) At the^second fork, find a signpost and turn right, continuing uphill on a good, wide grassy path towards Roc de France. You will reach a clear rocky area.

(7) At Peira Baixa (Low Stone), the highest point of this hike, enjoy the beautiful view. Continue, keeping an eye out for and following the clearly visible yellow markings. Pass a very small path on your left. Continue slightly downhill and then climb a little towards a small open area that is being taken over by the forest.

(8) At Coll del Faig (Beech Pass), continue to the right over a rocky outcrop and then descend again, still following the yellow markings.

(9) At Coll del Ric (Col du Riche), you may wish to take a well-deserved break. For example, facing south-west, there is a beautiful view of Roc de Sant Salvador (Roc Saint-Sauveur), with Roc de France to its left.

Please note: all the signposts have been destroyed, so you must head completely to the right, due west. Some old, scattered yellow markings may help you find your way.

The path is in good condition and clearly visible on the ground. Take care, as wild boars and the weather have severely damaged these paths connecting villages, and there is no maintenance. Continue downhill.

(10) You will arrive at an open area where you will find the ruins of Cortal de la Garriga (Heath Bergerie de la Garrigue). Leave the ruins on your left and turn right at the fork. Leave the Mouly Serradou path on your left. Cross several còrrec (talweg) and you will come out in a populated and well-maintained area.

(11) Please note: there is some confusion regarding the signposting and the passage of hikers. An agreement has been reached. Do not cross any fences or wire fencing. Signs have been put up but are pointing in the wrong direction. Please respect the area and its inhabitants.

The IGN trail in this area is inaccurate. The OSM trail is more realistic. So, before the wire fence, turn left onto a wide path. This area of the trail is complicated.

You will need to find the well-marked path on the ground that goes up and down, but stay below the walls and fields of the farmhouse, always on the right-hand side above. When the farmhouse is in sight above and slightly to the right, do not cross the fence or go into the cultivated or maintained fields.

Go down a few metres to the left, going around the property in a wide right turn, on a track with a wall on your right. After going around the farmhouse, join the access track to Mas Can Félix (Félix's house).

(12) Cross the track and climb up the terrace opposite. There is a sign pointing towards Amélie.
Once you arrive just below the high walls of the farmhouse, be sure to turn left. Do not turn right or enter the property. Please respect the area and its inhabitants.

Now simply follow a good, attractive path above the track. Pass several còrrec.
The path remains on the hillside, descending slightly.

(13) At Pla del Rossinyol (Plat du Rossignol), leave the path that turns sharply to the left.
Continue straight ahead on the good path, which now descends more steeply.

(4) Continue straight ahead along the path you took on the way up and return to the starting point (S/E).

There is no water or shelter on this route. Part of the trail is through low vegetation, but you should avoid periods of high heat.

This is a mid-mountain area. So, as you would expect, you will need: windproof clothing, water, first aid kit, route map, description, GPS, camera, good walking shoes and a walking stick.

Accessible by Occitanie liO public transport for €1.

Hike completed by the author on 30 April 2019.

(11) Please note: there is some confusion regarding the signposting and the passage of hikers. You should try to go around the large farmhouse, which is in perfect condition and inhabited, on the left. Please respect the area and its inhabitants.

Amélie-les-Bains