La Tanyareda - Puig Neulós - Pou de Neu - Coll de l'Ullat

From Perpignan, head towards Le Boulou, then Le Perthus, via the D900. Before the Le Perthus police station, turn left towards Col de l'Ullat via the D71. At the junction with the D71A, follow the signs for Col de l'Ullat (Ouillat). Quickly pass a hairpin bend on the right, then park on the left at the next hairpin bend on the left (altitude 700 m).

Red and white^GR®10markings. The^GR®10base map, OSM (World) is inaccurate.

(S/E) At the hairpin bend, go down the road for about ten metres and find the^GR®10, slightly below on the right in the bend. Then go up to the left via the^GR®10, which runs above the road. Find a grassy track heading north-west.

You will arrive at Coll del Ras. Do not go down the road, but continue north-west/east following the^GR®10. Cross a track four times. You will arrive at the entrance to a pine forest (altitude 900 m).

No markings

(1) Leave the^GR®10markings. There is a large wooden post with^GR®10markings.
Turn right, heading due east, onto a slightly overgrown track.
A red and white cross indicating the wrong direction for^{the GR®10}is on a tree on the right at the start of the track.
A small cairn is located a little further on, at the entrance to the track on the left.
The track then turns right, heading due south, and leads to an old pasture area on the France-Spain border ridge.

Old yellow markings

(2) Head left, climbing up a wide, rutted path alongside a fence marking the border on your right. You will come to an old relay antenna with an old building overgrown with brush. Roc dels Tres Termes is on your right. Descend via a grassy track, heading east towards the road.

White and red markings

(3) Turn right and climb up the^GR®10. Reach the boundary fence. Climb up, keeping it on your right. You will come to a large gate in the boundary fence (return).

(4) Continue climbing along the^GR®10towards the large red and white antenna on Puig Neulós (Pic du Néoulous).

A very beautiful spot, apart from the antennas. The wind blows very often here. The view is 360°.
Descend towards the end of the access road to the facilities (large gate). Then turn left for about 50 m and rejoin the^GR®10.

White and red markings

(6) Turn right onto a track that goes around the building on the left. Look carefully for the markings and follow them closely.
The track ends and a path runs along the top of the fence, then descends very steeply into the forest towards the south-east.
Caution: the descent is on a path that is rutted and often covered with leaves.
Continue towards a small building where the Tanyareda Spring is captured.

(7) Follow the^GR®10above the track, still heading south-east, to Pla de la Tanyareda.

(8) Continue straight ahead to the entrance to the beech forest and you will find the Refuge de la Tanyareda on the edge of the forest.

(9) This basic refuge is in poor condition. People have climbed up with paint to write their feelings on the walls...
Turn back and walk 300 metres uphill to Pla de la Tanyareda, which you passed a little earlier.

(8) Leave the^GR®10and continue climbing towards the border fence, leaving the fountain on your right. The slope becomes steeper. Pass a few rock piles as you approach the border fence (altitude 1,100 m).

Coarseyellow markings and cairns on the Spanish side

(10) Spanish signpost made of wood and enamelled iron.
Note: the trail is accurate and corresponds to the cleared path (observed on 8 October 2023).
Turn left, along the hillside, heading west. There were cairns in place when I passed through at the beginning.
The path is obvious, staying more or less on the hillside below the border ridge on the right. You will come out at Pou de Neu (the snow well).

(11). A magnificent structure in perfect condition. It is possible to enter the tunnel that was used to extract ice. Be careful, however, as at the end there is a gaping hole, which is in fact the well.
Continue to the passage in the France-Spain fence and rejoin the^GR®10.

Red and white markings for^{the GR®10}

(4) Turn left and descend the path in the opposite direction until you reach the road.

(3) Continue straight ahead, looking for the^GR®10which leads into the forest. Leave the access road to the antennas until you reach a clearing at the edge of the beech forest.

(12) Continue to the right, following the red and white markings.
Descend quickly towards the road and a large open area with a car park at Coll de l'Ullat (Col de l'Ouillat).

(13) Turn left, walking past the Chalet de l'Albères on your right.
Continue on the^GR®10. Pass the dormitory buildings and further on, a tin sheepfold. The path then descends into the beech forest and rejoins the fork encountered on the way up.

(1) Continue straight ahead, still descending via the^GR®10, until you reach the car park (S/E).

Water is available at the Fontaine de la Tanyareda before the refuge of the same name. Use a filter or disinfectant tablets if there are sheep or cattle in the area.
Tanyareda refuge (table, bench, chair, fireplace, some food, 2 wooden benches).

This is a mountainous area. So, as you would expect, you will need: rain and windproof clothing, water, snacks, GPX track, description, map, GPS or Visorando app or GPS, camera, good walking shoes, walking stick.

The markings and paths are in very good condition (observed on 8 October 2023).

You can start at Coll de l'Ullat (13), or higher up from the barrier on the D71A (altitude 1050) and continue along the road to (3).

=> Le Chalet de l'Albère

=> El Pou de Neu (the snow well).
The top of the well, which is ogive-shaped, is closed off with stones.
The well is 10 m high.
Openings at ground level allowed snow to be loaded into it.
The snow melted and turned into ice at the bottom of the well.
The 10-metre-long horizontal access tunnel provided access to the ice that had formed.