From Serdinya to the village of Les Horts (ruins) (857 m)

A short hike in the mountains above Serdinya to the abandoned village of Les Horts.
This is a typical landscape of the Catalan Pyrenees: mountains, yet with Mediterranean buildings and vegetation.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.37 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 376 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 377 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 866 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 537 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park on the right-hand side of the road just before entering Serdinya, in a car park for 5 or 6 cars.

(S/E) Turn back slightly along the road and immediately turn left onto a service road for a recent house that climbs steeply up the mountainside. Leave the track on your left.
This road quickly turns into a simple mountain path, which is well maintained and marked (yellow).
Further on, this trail crosses the Canal de Jando. Continue climbing fairly steeply.
On the right, there is a large ruin (Ruine de la Guardia) and the path continues wider towards Camp de la Coume (Camp de la Coma).

(1) Be careful not to take the wrong path; continue straight ahead (slightly to the left), where the trail becomes much narrower.

(2) The path to take heading north leads to the small hamlet of Marignans (Marinyans), consisting of two houses, between which the path passes. Leave the house on the left and the path continues straight ahead heading north for 20 m, then straight ahead again, leaving the forest path that branches off to the left.
The trail continues to climb up the mountain, still marked in yellow. There is no risk of getting lost for several hundred metres. You are between Camp del Marc and Camp de la Coume.

(3) Cross a rocky outcrop well equipped with low walls and four or five hairpin bends. This is the Costé de Campigne. Pass the 832 metre contour line (IGN map).

(4) After walking for 45 minutes in total, you will arrive at the abandoned village of Les Horts, which is almost entirely in ruins.
Pass behind the shepherd's hut, which is in good condition, and a few dozen metres further on you will come to a fountain and a very long trough, which is no longer in use.
You can continue (not described in this route) to the other ruins that can be seen, hidden in the vegetation, and descend a few dozen metres into the stream to see other ruins of wells, a fountain and a trough.
Return to the starting point by retracing your steps until you reach (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 538 m - Serdinya
  2. 1 : km 0.49 - alt. 630 m - Ruins - Turn left
  3. 2 : km 0.84 - alt. 697 m - Hameau de Marignans (Marinyans)
  4. 3 : km 1.76 - alt. 840 m - Costé de Campigne (832m) - Continue straight ahead
  5. 4 : km 2.16 - alt. 836 m - Village des Horts
  6. S/E : km 4.37 - alt. 538 m - Serdinya

Practical information

The shepherd's hut in the village of Les Horts can be used as a shelter in case of bad weather.
You will need good hiking boots.
There is no water on the route. However, if necessary, if you continue above Les Horts, the Ayrolles ravine river, which becomes the Ravin des Rocs Lliso river, offers its generous water in several pools hidden among the vegetation.

NB: the drop in altitude at the end of the route is a graphic error... You keep climbing until the end!

In the nearby area

  • Is the large ruined house in La Guardia the former Augustinian convent, with "a church entirely clad in cut stone"? It was on the verge of collapse due to subsidence. It was demolished in 1895. It was dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption; and images of Saint Anthony of Padua, Saint Michael, Saint Roch, Saint Apollonia and Saint Catherine were venerated there. On the outer wall, on the south side and at eye level, there were two oculi or small tombs embedded in the thickness of the wall, without any inscription. In 1793, this church was considered to be the church of the commune of Les Horts. Sources: Bulletin de la Société agricole, scientifique & littéraire des Pyrénées-Orientales, vol. 37, 1896, p. 266
  • Just below the hamlet of Marignans, look carefully along a terraced wall for a small pomegranate tree. Depending on the season, the fruit may be ripe!
  • Also among the fruit: blackberries all along the route...
  • In the second part of the hike, you can see traces of chamois on the ground, particularly when crossing the small pass (after the hairpin bends).
  • The mountains must be very dense, as the ground is sometimes marked with their droppings.
  • In the village of Les Horts, you can look back nostalgically at these abandoned buildings from centuries past. Only the shepherd's hut near the fountain and the trough is well preserved. You can go inside because the metal door has been knocked down. The small commune of Les Horts was merged with that of Serdinya by Royal Decree of 20 March 1822; it was already part of the same parish and had always been its annex, but the seigneury of its territory belonged to the Viscount of Evol. ... A spring waters the small gardens that gave this village its name. However, one should not think that Les Horts is a beautiful country: there are only a few hectares of rough land, next to a vast expanse of bare rocks, interspersed with terrible precipices. Sources: Bulletin de la Société agricole, scientifique & littéraire des Pyrénées-Orientales, vol.37 1896 pge 273
  • This village lies at the foot of the Rocs del Canal and the Pic des Coves (~1200 m): the ascent to Garrigas (1412 m) is described in another hike on this site. The cliffs are vertiginous and the colours of the rock are very beautiful, orange and grey.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 17 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.5 / 5
Route interest
3.9 / 5
MCTOUL
MCTOUL
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Let's take a look back at this incredibly scenic route in the heart of nature!
We set off early in the morning (7 a.m.) to enjoy the coolness and shade.

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MCTOUL
MCTOUL
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Let's take a look back at this incredibly scenic route in the heart of nature!
We set off early in the morning (7 a.m.) to enjoy the coolness and shade.
Much of the trail has been cleared and pruned, making it much easier to follow! Thank you to the woodcutters!
However, don't be afraid of the bushes and thorny plants, which only regular use of this trail can overcome... Otherwise, wear clothing that covers your entire body.

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huguette
huguette
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

Contrary to what you say about this hike, the path is not maintained at all.
We came back with our legs covered in blood.

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st cirice 46
st cirice 46
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

We took the walk at the end of the day. As a previous comment already pointed out, please note that there is a staircase at the beginning. We took the first path on the left and ended up getting lost. This was because of the word "immediately". So it would be useful to change this. After that, we really enjoyed the scenery and discovering the ruins. Thank you!

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michelyog
michelyog
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Once you reach Les Horts, turn left towards Flassa and its chapel, and make a loop...

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GetI
GetI
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 21, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A short walk in bad weather gave the ruins a rather striking appearance.
When it rains, the path turns into a small stream and can be slippery.

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sississi
sississi
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 26, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Pleasant hike, but longer than expected.

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Philippe  Pagès
Philippe Pagès
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 10, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

There are many more interesting walks nearby. The noise of traffic on the N116 can be heard for a good half of the route. Access to the terraced fields to reach the canal is quite difficult. Vegetation hides the start of the route near the barn. Fortunately, once you are near the ruins, you can enjoy the peace and quiet of the place.

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chopi1
chopi1
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 03, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A superb hike that I didn't know about. We had a wonderful time.
and we were blessed with beautiful weather.
Thank you for this hike.

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titi670
titi670
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 30, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The landscape is magnificent, and the view of the valley is even more impressive as you descend. Village ruins, but very nice to visit.

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sbenet
sbenet
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 25, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

A lovely little hike, well exposed and sheltered from the wind.
Next time, I might try a loop to make it even more enjoyable.

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bdvisiorando
bdvisiorando
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 2 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 04, 2017
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

Hello,
Are one-way trips of interest?
In any case, this should be specified so that they can be avoided.
In theory, you should double the distance to include the return journey... via the same route.
Best regards,

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Enric
Enric
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 01, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Avoid in hot weather, but a lovely walk that gives you an insight into the mountain life of the locals. It's a shame the fountain isn't working. A few signposts would be useful.

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marmotte75
marmotte75
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 07, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

It's worth noting that everything is clearly marked in yellow from the start. The trail begins with a staircase called "Chemin des Horts". You need to go straight up before the "large ruin" on your right.
The landscape is magnificent, and the view of the valley is even more impressive on the way down.
The circuit is easy and takes two hours there and back.
(As I haven't yet found the village of Les Horts from Villefranche, I enjoyed arriving from this side).

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aironer1
aironer1
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 30, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Ruins of ruins of a village
But a pleasant and very sunny route.

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