Country:
District:
After passing through the village of Nohèdes, continue along the tarmac track marked with a sign saying "Voie sans issue - 4 km" (Dead end - 4 km). Continue almost to the end of the tarmac road and, before a hairpin bend, look out for the start of the unpaved track on the right-hand side. The condition of the road means you will need to drive very slowly if you do not have an off-road vehicle. Pass the power station and continue to the car park marked by a wooden sign, located shortly after passing the Montellà building.
Yellow PR® markings + signs at major crossroads
(S/E) Continue climbing along the arrival track and look out for the start of the path on the right after the first hairpin bend.
(1) Turn right onto this narrow path, which climbs quite steeply through hazelnut and beech trees before joining the track you left earlier. Follow it to the right and, at the bend just after, leave it again to rejoin the path, following the signposting. Join a secondary forest track at a very large cairn.
(2) Cross the track to continue following the path opposite. Continue until the path seems to disappear, just before a wooded valley. Then turn left and, via a steep and slippery climb of a few metres, rejoin the track (the IGN map is incorrect at this point).
(3) Follow it to the right, cross a cattle grid and, after the hairpin bend, take the path that starts on the right and serves as a shortcut. Back on the track, turn right and you will come to a large junction (direction signs).
(4) Keep right, following the sign for "Estany del Clot," and you will quickly reach the next crossroads at an enclosure.
(5) Turn right, pass in front of the stone shelter, then veer left across the lawns to enjoy the beautiful view of Estany del Clot.
(6) Retrace your steps.
(5) Turn right and begin a long, gentle climb up the hillside, from where you can admire Estany del Clot and its peninsula from above. Further up, the wide path changes direction completely, making a sharp left turn.
(7) Ignore the wide path on the left leading to the Pla del Mig pastoral shelter. Continue climbing on a narrow path that rises steeply to cross the rocky barrier that gives access to Pla d'Amunt and its vast meadows dotted with pine trees. Reach the junction of the path that leads to Col de Portus (signpost).
(8) Leave this path on the left and continue straight ahead to the two information signs for Gorg Estelat. This is an ideal spot for a break in truly magnificent surroundings.
(9) Continue south, fording a small stream over large stones to reach an old wooden sign. Continue along the path, which is not always easy to follow. It is advisable to look for the next yellow marker on the tree trunks before continuing.
Further on, the slope becomes very steep and the trail is marked by wooden posts with yellow bands, which help you to follow the path, which is sometimes well hidden by rhododendron bushes and gispet. Keep heading south-west. At the top of this steep climb, you will come to a welcome flat section at a long, transverse meadow where you should turn right. The trail follows the edge of the pine trees on your left and leads to a crossroads with a double directional sign.
(10) Turn left and begin the fairly steep descent for the first few dozen metres, taking care not to slip. The Gorg Nègre glistens below.
(11) Once you are almost at the riverbank, you will encounter a rocky area among the pine trees that is rather difficult to cross.
The path along the Ribera d'Èvol becomes difficult to follow, but fortunately, well-placed cairns make it possible to progress without too much difficulty. However, you will need to be very careful not to take any of the paths that might tempt you to the right or left, as these will take you off course.
Further on, the path becomes clearer as it leaves the cover of the pine trees and continues its descent to reach a pastoral shelter located at the end of a carriage track.
(12) Follow this track, first downhill and then almost level, and you will reach Coll de Portus after going around a forest barrier.
(13) Turn left, go around a second barrier and follow the gentle descent to the junction with the uphill track.
(4) Turn right and retrace your steps along the outward route.
(3) After the Canadian passage and at a cairn on the right-hand side of the track, look out for the start of the steeply sloping path on the left (be careful not to slip) to avoid having to return via the track, which would considerably lengthen the route . This left-hand path is not very visible when descending.
Then follow the path to the car park at Montellà (S/E).
Visorando member
Easy 
Moderate 
