The Croix loop from the village of Joch

A beautiful half-day circular hike from this village.
The climb is via the Way of the Cross to the large Croix de Joch.
The return journey is via the very pretty balcony path that connects Joch (Jóc) to Baillestavy (Vallestàvia).
A variant towards the canal is now accessible from wp (11).
See practical information before setting out on this hike.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.80 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 525 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 534 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 925 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 387 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From Perpignan, take the N 116 towards Andorra. At the Vinça reservoir, turn left onto the D 13 towards Baillestavy and Joch. At the Colomina junction, turn left towards Joch on the D 25.
At the entrance to the village, first turn left then right to climb up towards the viewpoint. There is a large car park on the right or further on at the town hall, or better still at the top of the viewpoint, at the start of the route description. Park carefully, leaving enough space for residents to pass.

Recent yellow markings and directional signs (observed in February 2023).

(S/E) From the viewpoint car park, climb up on the left towards the track to the left of the underground water tank. Continue along this track. You will come to a junction of three small tracks at an oratory. Directional signs (observed on 1 October 2023).

(1) Leave the oratory on your left and the track on your right. Cross No. I is on the right of this middle track. Follow it for 30 metres until you reach a yellow left turn on a tree to the left of the track.

(2) Keep completely to the left, following a well-marked path that climbs through the vegetation. Cross II is located at the start of the path, which climbs steadily, passing numerous iron crosses with numbers on them. You will come to a fork in the path.

(3) At an altitude of 510 m, there is a marker on the left and a cross on the right. There are two options:
Simply follow the yellow markings on the left. Further on, climb to the right and join the route on the ridge.
- Continue to the right, passing the yellow cross as indicated in this description and on the trail. The correct path turns south-east, following a ridge. Continue climbing until you reach Cross No. VI.

(4) A little further on, at the fork, continue straight ahead, now heading due south, climbing the correct ridge path, which is well marked on the ground, to reach Cross No. VII further on. Ignore any adjacent paths. Pass the altitude 751.

(5) At an altitude of 795 m, there is a magnificent view of the Têt valley and the Vinça reservoir. The Joch Cross is clearly visible opposite, perched on its wooded spur. The path heads south again to reach Cross No. XII. Continue straight ahead, still on the ridge. Pass the altitude of 853.

(6) You will arrive at a more open area where the ruins of Cortal de les Feixes (enclosure, Frênes hut) remain. The path heads southwest. The cross at the summit is clearly visible and serves as a landmark.
After 300 m, pass cross no. XIII, and at the fork that follows, the clearly visible path heads due south towards the cross. The path becomes much steeper with a steep passage through the rocks.

(7) At the top, on a flat section, the Joch Cross is accessible on the left via a return trip. Very beautiful 360° view. Then continue along the ridge, heading south towards Puig de les Feixes (Ash Tree Peak) at altitude 925.

(8) From the summit, continue along the ridge, heading south for about 400 m, passing another peak and descending slightly to reach a first fork, not very visible, at about 895 m. There is a cairn and two yellow markings on the rocks at this point.
Leave the path that descends completely to the right.
Continue opposite on the wooded ridge for 100 m until you reach another fork and a large cairn at the exact altitude of 903 on the Creu de les Fous (crossroads of gorges or ravines), which is in fact a crossroads of four paths.

Reversed directional sign

(9) Descend steeply to the right, following the clearly marked trail from the start. Follow this beautiful path through the forest, which is well marked, clean and clear. You will reach a large crossroads: one track and three paths. Directional posts and place name: Saïllà.
There is a bench made from a railway sleeper at altitude 697. You can take a break at this beautiful, open spot.

Yellow markings

(10) Cross the track and you will find a cairn. A yellow signpost indicates the start of the path on the far right under the same track. Head east for 100 m, then north.
This beautiful path through the woods, slightly downhill and balcony-like, offers many open spots from which to admire the valley floor and the mountains to the south. You will have to cross many small còrrecs (valley bottoms). When the path turns northeast, a beautiful viewpoint allows you to contemplate the landscape.
At around 630 m, a fork with a path ascending to the right has been uncovered. (Observation made in February 2023). However, continue straight ahead, descending gently.

(11) At an altitude of 575 m, another fork has also been uncovered. (Observed in February 2023).
Directional sign and place name: La Serrada.
There are two options from this point:
- continue straight ahead, and further on, descend via numerous hairpin bends, passing through a residential area, then a ravaged area. The path then turns left onto the right bank of the Còrrec de Sant Martí and continues with a right-hand bend, heading north-east on almost flat ground to the car park.
- Following the description, turn left towards Finestret, descending very steeply to the D13. Cross it, continue straight ahead, arrive at a magnificent canal and cross it. Directional sign: Joch.

(12) Turn right with the canal on your right (i.e. left bank).

(13) Further on, cross the D13 again. Pass the pumping station and continue to follow the canal to reach Joch near the town hall. Go up the road for 150 m and turn right along a wooden railing to climb up and reach the (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 402 m - Parking at the viewpoint. Picnic area.
  2. 1 : km 0.23 - alt. 428 m - Fork. Oratory
  3. 2 : km 0.27 - alt. 435 m - Fork in the road. Turn left Yellow
  4. 3 : km 0.66 - alt. 514 m - Altitude: 510 m
  5. 4 : km 0.99 - alt. 601 m - Fork between cross V and cross VI
  6. 5 : km 1.93 - alt. 794 m - Croix de Joch visible due south. Panorama
  7. 6 : km 2.22 - alt. 850 m - Ruins of Cortal de les Feixes
  8. 7 : km 2.45 - alt. 895 m - Croix de Joch
  9. 8 : km 2.71 - alt. 922 m - Puig de les Feixes
  10. 9 : km 3.09 - alt. 903 m - Creu de les Fous. On the right. Yellow and white
  11. 10 : km 4.23 - alt. 699 m - Crossroads. Bench. Large cairn
  12. 11 : km 6.56 - alt. 580 m - Fork in the road: La Serrada
  13. 12 : km 7.3 - alt. 393 m - Canal de Joch. Close to the - Lentillà (rivière) à finaliser
  14. 13 : km 7.64 - alt. 395 m - D13 - Canal de Joch
  15. S/E : km 8.8 - alt. 402 m - Parking at the viewpoint. Picnic area.

Notes

This is a mid-mountain area. You will need: rain gear, water, snacks, route map, description, map, GPS or app, camera, good walking shoes, walking stick.

the GPX track may be useful for the first part and from (11) onwards.

In summer: leave the village early. Cool weather is preferable for the climb to Croix de Joch, even though the hike is relatively shaded.

Worth a visit

Old Saint-Martin Church: Romanesque church in ruins located in the Joch cemetery.
Saint-Martin Church: Baroque-style Catholic church.
11th-century castle.
Orientation table and roundabout in La Baronnie.
Talweg (Còrrec). Torrent (Rec). Joch (Jóc). Baillestavy (Vallestàvia)
The Way of the Cross in the first part of the hike.
Several viewpoints on the way up and on the way back.

(S/E) Orientation table, tables and benches, enclosed and secure play area.
(10) Bench and open area.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 24 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 26182412

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route. Done in mild, sunny weather. Magnificent scenery along the route from one valley to another.
From the starting point to the cross, the climb is quite challenging, but you can recover afterwards.

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Les chéris d'amour
Les chéris d'amour

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike with my 7-year-old daughter

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Doumic
Doumic

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pleasant route, easy to do despite the steep climb during the Way of the Cross. Gentle slope on the way back. Avoid in summer as there is very little shade. Magnificent views and easy to follow. Very busy route (probably due to the Christmas holidays). As a result, littered with tissues... How sad!

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NATGUIDO
NATGUIDO

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello, thank you for this lovely walk, with a steep climb up to the cross, but with some very nice views.
a pleasant return to the oak forest.
You need to stay alert at point 2. Distracted by our reunion chatter, we weren't paying attention, even though it's well marked and indicated in the description.
Happy holidays!

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naejo
naejo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

More of a stroll than a hike, this well-marked trail offers stunning views of the plain and Canigou, which we were lucky enough to see with snow on its summit!

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castelroc66
castelroc66

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello. This short walk is a classic in the department. Although steep and sustained, the climb is not difficult. The descent is gentle except in a few places. For orientation, from the oratory, simply follow the Way of the Cross (13) – it couldn't be easier. Enjoy your walk, everyone!

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lemarcheur65
lemarcheur65 ★

Hello georgesrando66
Thank you for your comment.
I preferred to go back via the charming Joch Canal.
The path (which has recently been reopened) is steep, but well maintained.
I will pass on the translation to my Catalan friends.

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georgesrando66
georgesrando66
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did this hike in 2021 and had some problems on the descent from the Croix de Joch due to unclear markings and overgrown vegetation. On our second visit on 4 March, there were no problems and everything was perfect... thank you to those who marked the trail! In addition, the route has been slightly modified and now runs alongside the canal, which is a very good idea. I would like to point out that the Catalan word "fou" has absolutely nothing to do with madness, but simply means "gorge" or "ravine" in Old Catalan, contrary to what is noted in the route description!

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SSB66
SSB66

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, the climb is a bit tough but worth the effort. The descent through the forest is very pleasant. All in all, a great day!

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Gilles.Gleyze
Gilles.Gleyze

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great walk!
A tip: do it backwards, i.e. go up the mule track towards the south-west, then come back down via the Way of the Cross above the village of Joch. three reasons: the slope is less steep going up; the climb is in the shade (whereas the Way of the Cross is exposed); and the Way of the Cross is downhill, allowing you to fully enjoy the view of the valley and the dam lake

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Constance66
Constance66

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It is important to remain alert to the markings.

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JeDe66
JeDe66

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant and varied hike with beautiful views.
The descent after point (9) is indeed quite steep, but the return along the canal rounds off this circuit nicely.
Complete your outing with a stroll through the streets of this beautiful village.
Thanks to the author

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PhilEma
PhilEma

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, no particular difficulties but a few challenging sections. I highly recommend this outing!!!

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Gruobcity!05
Gruobcity!05

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a beautiful hike with magnificent scenery, well-maintained trails that are very easy to walk on, suitable for everyone, even children... Definitely worth doing again... Thank you!

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marimar6634
marimar6634

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice hike. Challenging climb but with beautiful views, although there was a lot of fog that day. The "creu des fous" is not a cross but, we assumed, a crossroads of trails?
The return trip is cool. Lots of flowers everywhere. A hike to do again.

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