In Vingrau, once on the main street (Rue Maréchal Joffre), look for Rue de la Millère on the right (or left, depending on the direction of arrival), which leads to the small town hall square and the church. Park in the spaces along the street or in one of the adjacent streets.
(S/E) Return to Rue Maréchal Joffre, turn left and take the narrow pavement to leave the village. After the bridge over the Còrrec de la Millera, which is often dry, carefully follow the left-hand side of the main road to the first bend where you will find a signpost.
Markings: GRP® Yellow and Red + PR® Yellow
(1) Leave the road and turn left onto a path following the sign for "Trauc del Cavall". This path becomes a trail and winds around a few bends before opening onto the plateau. At a fork not shown on the map, keep left as indicated by the markings and you will soon reach a wide crossroads.
(2) Turn right onto a double track (DFCI C5 track). Stay on this track, heading north-east.
(3) Leave it to turn left onto a narrower path.
Yellow PR® markings
(4) At the crossroads, leave the GRP® which goes left and go straight ahead. The path curves widely to the right, passing a rather rusty cistern just before joining the D12. Turn left to follow it, using the hollow shoulder to avoid the tarmac and protect yourself from traffic.
(5) When you reach a signpost on the right-hand side of the road, cross carefully and take a wide path. This path continues on flat ground, passing several raised hunting posts, then turns into a much narrower trail that enters the small Conques valley.
(6) Turn right and tackle the short climb that leads to Planal de la Jaça del Moltó. Further on, join a double track and continue on the right, almost opposite. Pass the ruined sheepfold of Cortal d'en Domenge on the left, hidden in the vegetation, and join the junction with a track suitable for vehicles.
(7) Take a small path almost opposite, which soon reaches another junction that is not very visible on the ground (poor signposting at this point). Turn right and walk along a beautiful stone wall on your left. The slope becomes steeper and the path becomes narrow and slippery before leading to the access road to the imposing ruins of Mas Llençó.
(8) Turn left, walk along this farmhouse, admiring the beautiful stone lintels as you go, while lamenting the current state of what must have been a magnificent building. The path turns into a very steep trail that climbs steeply to Trauc del Cavall, a narrow rocky passage that provides access to the eastern slope of La Serre.
(9) A stop is a must to enjoy the exceptional view of the Mediterranean, the Étang de Leucate, Opoul and its castle. To the south-east, the Albères gently slope down to the sea at the Côte Vermeille.
Continue along the path, which immediately becomes more technical as it involves a series of small climbs and descents that are not particularly difficult but require the use of your hands. The terrain consists of sharp limestone pavement, steep slabs, and small scree slopes where you must be careful not to slip.
The path is quite winding but the markings are excellent, reinforced by cairns that are easier to spot. In any case, watch out for the numerous yellow crosses that discourage you from following certain tempting but much more exposed tracks.
When you reach a gap facing an impressive rock face, veer to the right to go around it.
(10) Switch to the western slope, keeping to the path, which is now much clearer on the ground but quite exposed. Follow the rocky ridge on the left, cross a small ledge and return to the ridge. Continue to the cairn that marks the crossroads at the mouth of the Correc des Collets valley.
(11) Turn left towards a huge cairn on the ridge (do not take the valley path). Continue to the right and reach the highest point of La Serre (576 metres), where an old rusty pylon lies on the ground, a desolate sight for this place which offers a magnificent view in all directions: Canigou, Mont Tauch, the great peaks of Ariège, the Albères and the sea.
(12) Past this point, the path continues over sharp limestone pavements and scree, and the trail becomes difficult to follow: it is best to follow the cairns rather than the yellow markings, even though they are clearly visible. In any case, make sure you keep heading south, staying away from the cliffs on the right and without straying too far to the left either. Join the D9 at Pas de l'Échelle.
(13) Cross the road carefully and take the path opposite, which follows on from a small concrete area. This path becomes stony for a few dozen metres, then returns to earth and gravel before leading to a small tarmac road at an electricity substation. Continue straight on until you reach the junction with the D9 at the entrance to Vingrau.
(14) Cross carefully and follow Rue Courteline opposite. Pass the Chapel of Nostra Senyora des Bon Consell on your right, then the cemetery on your left, and at the junction just after, keep right towards the church.
At the bend, leave the street and turn left onto a narrow paved slanting street (green barrier at the start). Pass the steps leading to the church, then make a short first turn right then left to reach a small square with a solitary plane tree. Continue straight ahead to the village's main street.
Cross over and turn right onto the extremely narrow pavement until you reach Rue de la Millère. Turn left to return to the church and the starting point (S/E).
