From Baillestavy to Valmanya via beautiful paths

From Perpignan, follow the signs for Andorra on the dual carriageway. Drive alongside Lake Vinça and, at the large crossroads, turn left (take care) and follow the signs for Valmanya then Baillestavy.
Parking is mandatory at the entrance to the village of Baillestavy in La Farga. There is a trolley along the road.

(S/E) From the car park, head towards the town hall and the Bistrot de Pays. Just before these buildings, turn right and cross a medieval arched, cobbled bridge.

(1) Just after the bridge, turn right and walk along the Llentillà on your right below. Cross a wooden footbridge and continue along a grassy track.

Followthe red and white markings of^{the GR®36}, which is also the^GRP®, to the village.

(2) Climb up to the left towards Sant-Andreu Church. You can visit the interior free of charge by going through the gate of the adjoining cemetery. Then continue climbing south-west. Join a new track and follow it to the right, climbing for 50 metres. Continue climbing, turning completely left towards the village.

(3) There are two options:
- either follow the road, which makes a sharp left turn (^GR®36signposting).
- or continue towards the stopover lodge (choice of route) by climbing up the concrete steps on the right. Pass the lodge and turn right. You will arrive in front of a small house on a small square. Climb the wide steps to the left of the square to rejoin the road. Follow the^GR® markings and continue climbing to the left. The road becomes a track suitable for vehicles.

(4) At the sharp bend in the track, go around the barrier and continue straight ahead. Pass the Còrrec d'en Carbonnell (Torrent du Charbon de Bois) and climb very steeply into the forest. You will come to a fork with recent directional signs (December 2023).

(5) Continue straight ahead on the^GR®36. Continue climbing steeply through a rocky area where there is a beautiful stone path. Keep an eye out for the scattered markings. You will reach a high point in the forest with a white municipal boundary marker and an electric fence.

(6) Now continue downhill and pass another electric fence. Please remember to close it behind you. A steeper descent follows before reaching a fork in the marked paths. Directional signs.

(7) Continue downhill to the right and reach the village of Valmaya.

(8) A beautiful, typical village rebuilt after a painful episode during the Second World War. There is a lovely picnic area with tables, toilets and a water point at the bottom on the left before the church.
After this well-deserved break, turn around and head back to the fork you passed on the way there.

Yellow^PR®markings

(7) Continue straight ahead along a narrow path on the mountainside to reach the small chapel of Sant Vicenç (Saint Vincent). Beautiful view of the village of Vallmanya, the La Llentillà Valley and the Canigó Massif.

(9) Continue descending slowly until you reach a fork in the path. Directional signs.

Yellow and red markings for the^GRP® Ronde du Canigou

(10) Continue straight ahead on this^GRP®. There is a series of ascents and descents. Leave a path leading down to the road on your right. At the recent fork, at an altitude of 700 m, descend straight ahead towards the Ravin de Font Fresca (Fresh Fountain).

(11) Ford this area and climb up opposite to immediately find a grassy track. Follow the^GRP® markings^. Continue further along a small road (Cami dels Camps de la Creu) and join the D13a.

(12) Cross the D13a to reach the opposite side via a grassy track leading downhill. Do not cross the chain blocking the private passage. Turn right downhill via slippery wooden steps. Follow this good path until you reach the bridge you crossed on the way there.

(1) Follow the same route as on the way there, cross the bridge again and join the D13. You can turn right for a final break at the Baillestavy community café-restaurant. Then return to the car park (S/E).

Many viewpoints on this largely shaded circular.

This is a mid-mountain area. You will need: rain gear, water, snacks, GPX track, description, map, GPS or Visorando app, camera, good hiking boots, walking stick.
Shelters: Sant-Andreu Church (2), Baillestavy (S/E), Valmanya (8), Sant Vicenç Chapel (9)
Drinking water tap: Baillestavy café square and under the covered courtyard in Valmanya (8).

Hike without any particular difficulty. The climb is very pleasant and steady with two steep sections.
Mid-June 2022: paths, markings and signposts in very good condition.

Roc de l'Ours stopover lodge in Valmanya. Renovated in 2022.
La Farga café-restaurant. Renovated in 2022.

From Baillestavy:
- the^GR®36climbs to Valmanya, Los Masos, Ras de Prat Cabrera, Refuge des Cortalets, etc. This^GR®36, in its Pyrénées Orientales section, runs from Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet to Bourg-Madame (Spanish border).
- The^GRP® climbs to Coll Palomeres, Tour de Batère, Montbolo, Arles-sur-Tech, etc.