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Departure from Banyuls-sur-Mer station.
(S) Start with your back to the station. After a house with four garage doors on the ground floor, turn left onto Rue des Elmes. Continue up a concrete ramp onto Rue Valdeck Rousseau, then turn right and left onto Rue Napoléon.
(1) A few metres further on, turn right onto Rue du Moulin à Vent. At the end of this street, turn left onto Rue Jean Iché.
(2) You will find yourself in front of a building. Pass under the building through the porch marked A4. You will see Elmes beach. Go down the stairs on the left and join the coastal road at the roundabout. Cross the road at the pedestrian crossing.
(3) Go down the wide staircase with small steps that passes between the buildings towards Elmes beach (Platja de les Elmes). Walk along the beach, then go up the wide pavement along the road above the beach towards the north.
(4) At the first bend in the road, turn right onto the tarmac entrance to the Hélio Marin centre, go through the barrier and walk along the beach, leaving the Hélio Marin centre on your left.
The tarmac road ends and gives way to a stony path below a terraced vineyard. After an uphill climb, turn right to stay on the coast. The yellow-marked path is a series of sometimes steep ascents and descents on stony ground between the vineyards and the coast.
(5) The path then climbs away from the coast, running alongside a vineyard enclosed by barbed wire on the right-hand side of the path. Turn right to follow the yellow markings, and the path descends through the pine trees to rejoin the coast. Follow the yellow markings, still heading towards Paulilles and Port-Vendres (yellow markings and directional signs). The path sometimes passes through tunnels under the vegetation.
(6) The path turns left to cut across the back of Cap d'Ullastrell and arrives at a semi-tarmac road. Follow this road to the left, pass a barrier and the road passes in front of some cabins that have been converted into dwellings. Continue towards a large industrial brick chimney. Facing a large gate, turn right. You are now entering the former industrial site of Paulilles (Polilles).
(7) On your left, you can see a Catalan boat repair yard (open to visitors). Climb up onto the dyke. There is a water point and toilets in the building on the left. Walk along the beach. There is a beautiful view of Cap Béar and Anse de Paullilles.
At the end of the dyke, turn left onto the metal footbridge over a dry river bed. Climb up to the rest of the industrial facilities. The path passes between two fences and through a small tunnel.
(8) Walk along Bernardi Beach towards Cap Béar. The path follows the coastline as closely as possible, descending to the bottom of a small cove with an isolated house.
(9) Continue along the small Balanti Beach and continue on the path opposite, climbing the steps. This is followed by a series of steep ascents and descents with a few passages to be avoided by those prone to vertigo, always staying as close as possible to the coast. Head towards the lighthouse car park, crossing a small group of houses below the lighthouse.
(10) You can go to the end of the cape if you wish, as the path is easy. Otherwise, turn around, leave the lighthouse behind you and head towards the semaphore, following the tarmac road for 100 metres. At the first bend, a path begins and goes around the semaphore on the right. Cross the tarmac road and continue along the path towards Fort Béar (yellow markings).
(11) Before reaching the fort, at a right-angled crossroads, turn right towards the sea. The balcony path runs above the little-used road on the north side of Cap Béar. Beautiful view of Port-Vendres and Collioure.
At the end of the path, turn left onto the small tarmac road for 20 metres, then immediately take a path that descends steeply towards the Port-Vendres jetty and Espelugas beach.
(12) You can stop under the tamarisk trees on Espelugas beach in the shade. Continue along the road towards Port-Vendres. Go around the road tunnels, which are closed to pedestrians, by walking along the coast.
(13) You will now arrive at the Port-Vendres commercial port, which you will need to go around. There is a footpath alongside the road. You will arrive at the marina. At the end of the marina, climb the stairs that lead to Place Castellane (water fountain on the right). Cross the square straight ahead and take Rue des Paquebots (street with steps). Cross Rue Valdeck Rousseau and continue uphill. Turn left and you will arrive at Port Vendres station. The hike can end here.
(14) With your back to Port Vendres station, take the road (marked dead end) on the left (Route du Val de Pinte). Continue along the road towards Fort Saint Elme. Pass under the railway line, then turn right above the railway tunnel, still on a small tarmac road.
The road winds upwards. Ignore a wide stony path on the right that starts between two wooden posts and disappears into the vineyards. 80 metres further on, take a path on the right that climbs towards Fort Saint Elme (yellow markings). You will come to a tarmac road. Cross the road and take the path opposite.
(15) Immediately after the entrance to the path, a narrow trail begins on the right and descends with a beautiful view of Collioure. At the bottom, do not cross the park but cross the road, pass in front of the La Balette restaurant and go down the stairs to get closer to the sea.
Walk along the beach. Walk along the wall of the Royal Castle to go around it. Cross the footbridge and then head left towards the station (road signs). You will arrive at Collioure station at the end of Avenue Aristide Maillol (E).
Visorando member
Very difficult 
Difficult 
