La Soca from Pla del Bac

After passing Arles-sur-Tech, there are two options for returning to the starting point.
- From the D115, turn right towards Corsavy on the D43. Cross the village. Leave Batère and Leca on your right. Continue towards Montferrer on the D44. After several hairpin bends, you will reach a pass at an altitude of 883 metres.
- From the D115, turn right and follow the numerous hairpin bends towards Montferrer via the D54 for 3.35 km until you reach a recycling centre in a large turning area. Turn right towards Veïnat (hamlet) via the C4. After several hairpin bends on the C4, join the D44 at a give way sign. Turn right for 500 m and arrive at the pass at an altitude of 883 metres.
At the pass, park in the Pla del Bac car park.

Off the beaten track

(S/E) Head southwest on a small, almost flat grassy track. Join a carriageway at a four-way crossroads at an elevation of 912 metres.

Yellow markings

(1) Cross this track and continue in the same direction, going through a gate in the fence. Continue climbing south-west, following the yellow markings. The path curves south and climbs steeply to a viewpoint called El Pla del Bac.

(2) Turn completely right, west. Look for the signpost further ahead at the edge of the forest.

(3) Enter the undergrowth, following the few yellow markings present.

(4) Turn left , passing through the gate in the fence and following the yellow markings. Follow a very pretty path through the undergrowth to reach the ruins of el Castell de Mollet. Directional signpost (altitude 1005 m).

(5) Facing the ruins (no access), turn right towards La Souque. Then quickly turn left towards the west. You will arrive at a large, well-maintained pasture.

(6) Look for a large cairn at the entrance to the woods. Continue west.

(7) Enter the undergrowth (yellow markings, hunting reserve sign). The path heads northwest. This will take you to a track coming from Montferrer.

No markings. Directional signpost (but no markings!)

(8) Follow it to the right and continue straight ahead. Pass under a high-voltage power line, then exit the wooded area. You will arrive at the first bend to the left of the track. Observation on 16 November 2025, recent development: bench, picnic table, water source, viewpoint.

(9) Continue along the track, which curves to the right and arrives at a flat, open area at a crossroads of five tracks at Pla de la Bena. Directional signpost.

Yellow markings

(10) Head north up this^second wide grassy track on the right, towards La Souque. Go around two bends and you will reach the end of the track.

(11) The path starts here, then turns north-west. The slope is very steep up to the summit (28% gradient, 264 m over 0.94 km). Higher up, you will reach a cross-track, damaged by ongoing logging (June 2024).

(12) Cross it and continue the climb, which is very steep. Much higher up, you will see the Catalan flag. One last effort and you will reach the summit of La Soca (La Souque) at an altitude of 1626 metres. This is a beautiful spot for a restorative and contemplative break.

(13) Continue north-west, keeping an eye out for the wooden posts firmly fixed to the rocks. At an altitude of 1635 metres, the path curves westwards and descends steeply. Pass through an area of remarkable rocks. Further down, you will reach a grazing area and a track. Directional post.

(14) Turn left onto this stony, grassy track. Much further down, you will reach an open area and a track suitable for vehicles.

(15) Turn right towards an area with a picnic table and a shelter slightly higher up on the right. The fountain near the shelter has not been running for several years. A nice place to take a break.

(16) Turn around.

(15) Continue along the track until you reach the fork you passed on the way up.

No markings

(10) Continue straight ahead for a few metres and turn left onto the track (north-north-east). Pass the old Cortal d'en Pei (Pin sheepfold), whose renovation was never completed!
You will reach the end of the grazing area * on your right.

(17) Two options:
- if there are no animals, take the path along the pasture heading south. After 100 m, turn north-east and descend to join the logging track 40 m below.
- If there is a herd, at the "private forest" sign and a yellow mountain bike trail marker (two circles and a triangle), descend for about 100 metres slightly to the right (20 degrees) to reach the track below.

(18) Turn right onto this unfortunately recalibrated track.

(19) Junction with the path coming from the pasture. Continue along the track, take a sharp left turn and you will immediately come to a junction with another track. Take care. Keep heading south-west until you cross the Ruisseau de la Fau stream.

(20) Turn completely right, straight ahead, onto a grassy track that has not been resurfaced (observed on 2 June 2024). Cross the Ruisseau de la Fau and turn left, south-east. A little further on, you will reach a sharp bend in a track suitable for vehicles. I have placed a cairn on the left.

(21) Follow it to the left, heading southeast, descending continuously on this track. You will eventually reach the initial four-way crossroads.

(1) Turn left and follow the same route as on the way up, returning to the Pla del Bac car park (S/E).

(4) Newly developed area: water source, picnic area, bench, viewpoint: observed on 16 November 2025.
This is a mid-mountain area: windbreaker, water, snacks, GPX track, description, map, GPS or Visorando app, camera, good walking shoes, walking stick.

I have included many waypoints at the start of the hike, because in spring and summer the unmown meadows hide the sparse markings on the small wooden posts. The exact route can serve as a good guide.
There are no markings in the two pastures you will cross, so refer to the GPX track and/or description.

• Pass through the grazing area. When the herd of cattle is not grazing, it is possible to follow a path on the right, which is shown on the OSM map. Otherwise, refrain from disturbing the herds, especially if there are calves or heifers accompanying their mothers.

Montferrer
Corsavy