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After passing through the village of Nohèdes, continue along the tarmac track signposted ‘Dead end – 4 km’. Walk almost to the end of the tarmac road and, just before a hairpin bend, make sure you don’t miss the start of the unpaved track on the right-hand side. The condition of the track means you must drive very slowly if you do not have a 4x4 vehicle. Pass the power station and continue to the car park, signposted by a wooden sign and situated shortly after you have passed the Montellà building.
Yellow PR® markings + signposts at major junctions
(S/E) Continue uphill along the access 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 hazel and beech trees before rejoining 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 markings. You’ll reach a secondary forest track at a very large cairn.
(2) Cross the track and continue along the path opposite. Carry on until the path seems to peter out, just before a wooded hollow. Then turn left and, via a steep, 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 log bridge and then, after the hairpin bend, take the path that starts on the right and serves as a shortcut. Back on the track, turn right and reach a large junction (signposted).
(4) Keep to the right, following the sign for “Estany del Clot”, and you’ll very quickly reach the next junction by a paddock.
(5) Turn right, walk past the stone shelter, then head diagonally left across the grassy areas to enjoy the beautiful view of the 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, taking a sharp left-hand bend.
(7) Ignore the wide path on the left leading to the Pla del Mig shepherds’ shelter. Continue the ascent along a narrow track which steepens sharply to cross the rocky pass leading to the Pla d’Amunt and its vast meadows dotted with pine trees. Reach the junction with the path leading to the Col de Portus (signpost).
(8) Let this path branch off to the left and carry straight on until you reach the two information boards for Gorg Estelat. This is the perfect spot for a break amidst truly magnificent scenery.
(9) Continue south, fording a small stream over large stones to reach an old wooden sign. Carry on along the path, which isn’t always easy to follow; it’s advisable to check for the next yellow marker on the tree trunks each time before proceeding further.
Further on, the slope becomes very steep and the route is marked by wooden posts circled in yellow, which help you follow the path, which is sometimes well concealed by rhododendron thickets and gispet. Keep heading south-west. At the top of this steep climb, you’ll emerge onto a welcome flat stretch at a long, narrow meadow, where you should veer to the right. The path follows the edge of the pine trees on your left and leads to a junction with a double signpost.
(10) Turn left and begin the descent, which is quite steep for the first few tens of metres; take care not to slip. The Gorg Nègre glistens below.
(11) Once you are almost at the riverbank, you’ll come to a rocky scree slope amongst the pine trees that is rather tricky to navigate.
The path, running alongside the Ribera d’Èvol, becomes difficult to follow; fortunately, well-placed cairns allow you to make your way without too much trouble. You must, however, be very careful not to take any of the paths that might tempt you to the right or left, as these would lead 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 shepherd’s shelter situated at the junction with a track suitable for vehicles.
(12) Follow this track, first downhill and then almost along the contour line, and reach the Coll de Portus after going round a forest gate.
(13) Turn left, go round a second gate, then follow the gentle descent to the junction with the track leading uphill.
(4) Turn right and retrace your steps along the outbound route.
(3) After the Canadian-style crossing and at a cairn on the right-hand side of the track, make sure you spot the start of the steep path on the left (watch out for slippery patches) to avoid returning via the track, which would considerably lengthen the route. This left-hand turn is very difficult to spot when descending.
Then follow the correct path to the car park at Montellà (S/E).
Visorando Member
Easy 
Moderate 
