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After passing through the village of Nohèdes, continue along the tarmac track signposted “Dead end – 4 km”. Follow the tarmac almost to the end and, just before a hairpin bend, look out for 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 an off-road vehicle. Pass the power station and continue to the car park, signposted by a wooden sign and located shortly after passing the Montellà building.
Yellow PR® markings + signposting at major junctions
(S/E) Continue climbing 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. Join a secondary forest track at a very large cairn.
(2) Cross the track to continue following the path opposite. Carry on until the path seems to disappear, 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 will very quickly reach the next junction by a paddock.
(5) Turn right, pass the stone shelter, then veer left across the grass 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, taking a sharp left-hand bend.
(7) Ignore the wide path on the left leading to the Pla del Mig shepherd’s hut. Continue the ascent along a narrow track that climbs steeply 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 go straight on to the two information boards at 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. Continue along the path, which is not always easy to follow; it is advisable to carefully locate the next yellow marker on the tree trunks 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 hidden by rhododendron bushes and gispet. Keep heading south-west. At the top of this steep climb, you’ll emerge onto a welcome flat area 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 fairly steep descent for the first few dozen metres, where you’ll need to be careful not to slip. The Gorg Nègre glistens below.
(11) Once you are almost at the riverbank, a rocky scree slope begins amongst the pines, which is rather tricky to cross.
The path, running alongside the Ribera d’Èvol, becomes difficult to follow, but 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 small tracks that might tempt you to the right or left but would lead you off the route.
Further on, the path becomes clearer as it leaves the pine cover and continues its descent to a shepherd’s shelter located at the junction of a track.
(12) Follow this track, first downhill and then almost level, and reach 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 uphill track.
(4) Turn right and retrace your steps along the outward route.
(3) After the log bridge 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 slipping) to avoid returning via the track, which would considerably lengthen the route . This left-hand turn is really hard to see when descending.
Then follow the correct path to the car park at Montellà (S/E).
Visorando Member
Easy 
Moderate 
