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From Perpignan, head towards Andorra via the N116 dual carriageway. Take the first exit for Ille-sur-Têt, drive through the village of Ille and, once in the town, follow signs for Montalba-le-Château and Sournia. Cross the bridge over the dual carriageway and the River Têt, then turn left at the roundabout. The road very quickly turns into a track (Chemin de Cazenovas). Park immediately in the new car park on the right. (Picnic tables and a designated barbecue area are available on the left at the old, refurbished car park).
(S/E) From the car park south of the Orgues d’Ille-sur-Têt, set off along the track, heading due west, with the Orgues on your right, for 500 m until you reach a ford.
(1) Turn right immediately after this ford, heading steeply uphill along a deeply rutted path. Some old, scattered yellow markings may help you find your way. Ignore all the small paths on the left. Pass the altitude of 267.
(2) Ignore the old yellow markings. Continue straight ahead along a path that is very clearly marked on the ground. Cut across the track. Continue straight ahead along the path. There are cairns here. Join the path marked in yellow and turn left.
(3) Turn right, still following the lovely, well-maintained path that is very clearly marked on the ground.
Alternative route: from this point, it is possible to climb up to the left towards the rocky outcrop where a large, attractive cairn is clearly visible (Serrat dels Mallols). You will then need to descend along the ridge, heading north-west, towards a large, clearly visible junction of tracks. Lovely view.
(4) Head right along the track for 150 m. At the next fork, continue left, still following the track, for 500 m.
(5) At the large crossroads, carry on straight ahead along a track that is somewhat overgrown. End of the yellow markings (see practical information ¹).
At the next crossroads, at an altitude of 361m, ignore the tracks to the left and right and continue climbing. Ignore the small adjacent tracks.
(6) Turn left onto a narrower, re-graded track (noted in October 2018). There is a cairn here. The track will remain more or less level as it heads due west. This track will become a path and then describe a large circular loop to the right to go round a hill. You will arrive at the right-hand edge of a cultivated field.
Leave the tracks on your left and head right again along a track for 1.5 km. Join a wide track at around 430 m. Twice, wooden pallets act as barriers before you reach the track.
(7) Turn left onto the track, which becomes a small tarmac road, heading towards the D2.
(8) Continue left along a dirt and gravel track towards the houses. On the left-hand side of the D2, in front of the front door of the house, local produce is on sale. Caution: motor traffic.
At the entrance to the village, take thethird very narrow street which climbs steeply. Head up towards the château via Rue du Cers and Rue du Carlit. You can climb the steps to visit the village and the garden.
Head downhill, continuing along Rue du Carlit towards a large open area.
(9) Turn right-hand side onto the road. Ignore the first road on the right. Continue towards the village along the Cami de Vinça (D17) for 200 m.
(10) Turn right between the houses, heading due south, along a narrow road flanked by high walls. Look out for signposts (llama farm) and letterboxes fixed to the wall of the first house on the right. You are now on the Cami de Montalba.
(11) Continue left, heading due south, still on this narrow road which descends very slightly. Orchards line both sides of the road. Ignore the adjacent tracks. Ignore the small road leading uphill to the left.
(12) Turn right, staying on this narrow road which now descends a little further. Continue along this narrow road, which quickly turns into a track suitable for vehicles. Carry on heading due south. Ignore the adjacent tracks.
(13) Carry on to the left, ignoring the track on the right which turns due west. Continue descending south-east. Pass a narrow track on the left which descends towards orchards in the direction of the Ravin de l’Oulibastre.
(14) Caution: there is a cairn here. Turn right, heading due south, before a ruined hut on your left, descending steeply along a wide, deeply rutted track that leads towards the valley floor.
(15) Turn sharply left, just after a ruined hut on your right. Cross the Còrrec de Vallaga at a ford and follow the track uphill for 400 m.
(16) Before the track bends to the right, first turn right then left and set off along a small, well-marked path with yellow markings, below the track on your right. There is a cairn and some remaining yellow markings. The path passes through an area full of piles of rocks where, despite the terrain, people had built hundreds of terraces to grow vines and cereals that require little water. There are numerous ‘oris’ still in very good condition.
Cross the first còrrec, which is often dry. Pass a junction on the right leading to Sant Feliu de les Cases.
Cross the Còrrec de Borboner. The path climbs slightly towards a sort of pass.
(see Practical Information ¹)
(17) Turn right and head down a steep path that has been stabilised with steps. Descend towards the old Devesa quarry. The path is very scenic. It overlooks the Guillera Gorges, where the River Têt flows below on the left-hand side. The ruins of Rodès Castle are clearly visible on the opposite slope, above the village.
(18) Turn left onto a track suitable for vehicles, on the left bank. Cross the River Têt via the road bridge.
Alternative route: from here, you can shorten the walk by heading left along the Rec de Corbera via a path that runs alongside the canal, which is in excellent condition and still serves a vital function.
Enter the village. Immediately turn left up Rue de Las Femades. Then climb the wide steps leading up to the castle. Above the last houses, the steps give way to a steep path, fitted with steps to prevent erosion caused by the steep gradient. Follow the sign for Casteil (castle).
What makes this village unique is that it clings to the mountainside below the castle.
You’ll reach the castle ruins on your left. Continue uphill for a few metres towards a sort of pass. Turn right, leaving the Catalan flag above on your left. You’ll come to a lovely path after passing a secured, safe cliff edge.
The path leads onto a track which you should follow for 100 m.
(19) Turn left onto a steep, gullied path. There are two attractive cairns here. Leave the track. Head down due east. The path turns left, heading due north towards the canal. You’ll arrive at the Rec de Corbera.
Alternative route: From here, by crossing the footbridge, you can take a return walk (200 m) to the old Laba aqueduct, which is on the left, following the canal.
Note: access to the left bank is restricted to maintenance staff only.
Continue to the right along the right bank of the canal for 750 m.
Please note: you will need to leave the track that follows the canal to Bouleternère (also known as the Rec de Corbera).
(20) First turn left then right over a very small footbridge across the Rec de Corbera. Walk alongside an orchard.
When you reach a track, turn left and head downhill along it, passing through a gate that is often open.
First turn left then right onto a wide bridge over the Rec d’Illa, which supplies Ille-sur-Têt.
Continue now along the left bank of this canal. The Têt is on your left.
The route then runs between the Thuir stream (Rec de Tuïr) on the left and the Illa canal (Rec d’Illa) on the right. The Têt is on your left.
The Thuir stream required numerous aqueducts and various engineering structures. The canal also required the excavation of numerous tunnels, levelling work, walls and locks.
Note: the route is secured in certain places. There are no particular hazards.
Pass a small building with a plaque in honour of the foreign workers who built these structures between 1940 and 1943. Pass the Sant Juli (Saint Jules) fountain on your right, on the other side of the canal.
You’ll reach a car park. Carry on straight ahead. Go under the dual carriageway via a right-left turn.
(21) Turn left onto a street running alongside the Rec d’Illa again, on your right. Then continue to the right along the Chemin de la Sini, towards Ille-sur-Têt, heading north-east.
At thefirst junction, carry straight on. At the next fork, at the ‘give way’ sign, turn right towards a small car park on the left-hand side before the roundabout.
Alternative route: you can turn left straight away onto the safe hard shoulder on the left-hand side of the D2.
::22: Carry on straight ahead. At the first junction, turn left onto Rue du Prats de la Fabrica. Pass a wash house on your right. At the fork, turn left.
Caution: motor traffic. Cross the Route de Montalba (D2).
Turn right, staying on the safe left-hand side of the road. Cross the dual carriageway and the River Têt, staying on the raised pavement. At the next roundabout, turn left onto Chemin de Cazenovas, with the River Têt on your left. Join the (S/E).
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Moderate 
Easy 
