La Torre de Querroig from Cap Rederìs

Coming from Perpignan, after Banyuls-sur-Mer, the D914 road moves away from the coastline and then rejoins it. In a right-hand bend, at a left-turn junction, you will find the Cap Rederìs car park, which has a 1-hour parking limit (wine merchant's stall). Turn around at the entrance to this car park and park 200 m further on, on the right. Four to five parking spaces. If this car park is full, head towards Cerbère and park before (2). Explanations in practical information.

No markings along the road.

(S/E) From the car park, set off carefully in single file on the left-hand side of the road and join the left-hand turn and the car park (parking limited to 1 hour).

Yellow markings for the Chemin du Littoral

(1) Pass the orientation table and continue along the coastal path.
Pass Peyrefite Beach. Walk along the left side of a medical centre and the campsite. *
Continue along the coastal path. Overlook Ansa de Terrimbo with the railway tracks on your right below and come out onto the D914.

(3) Cross this road carefully at the pedestrian crossing. Go up the stairs opposite. Turn right into Impasse Canadeils, then left into Rue de l'Horizon. Pass a street that goes up to the right. Pass the fire station. Continue downhill and turn left three times.

(4) Reach the metal footbridge and cross it. Immediately descend to the right via the large steps. As soon as you reach Rue Ducros, turn right immediately via another set of steps leading to a wagon commemorating the period when oranges were transported from Spain. Continue straight ahead at the bottom of the retaining wall of Cerbère SNCF railway station. Follow Rue Dominique Mitjavile to the long tunnel under the railway marshalling yard. Do not take this road tunnel.

(5) Turn left up Rue Jean Barrat (dead end).
Note the statue of a transborder on your left at the Placette des Transbordeuses.
Further on, first turn right then left under the railway tracks through a small tunnel. Immediately afterwards, climb steeply to the left onto a stony path.

(6) You will come to a low wall running alongside the D914. Cross this road carefully by stepping over the wall. Opposite, you will find the continuation of the stony path, marked by a yellow cross. At the top of this rutted path, turn right onto a wide paved staircase. Facing the old customs post buildings, turn left onto the D914 road and keep to the left for about 30 metres.
Carefully cross this road to climb up a few concrete steps opposite and arrive at Coll de Belitres. Border marker no. 600, directional post. Beautiful landscape overlooking the Mediterranean Sea between France and Spain.

(7) Turn right and follow the small grassy track south-west, then north-west.

(8) Continue to the right, climbing up a stony track. Large rock with yellow markings a little further on. From the cistern on your right, follow the same track twice to the left until you reach the next fork in the tracks.

End of the yellow markings

(9) Leave the markings at a steel post. Continue straight ahead, leaving the track on your left which descends due south. At the next fork, continue slightly to the right, still climbing. The track turns north-west and begins to descend towards Coll de la Farella. Directional post. Cattle grid. Steel barrier.

Yellow markings

(10) Continue west on the path that climbs steeply through low vegetation. The climb is difficult and steep. Towards the end, you will see a large steel information panel and reach a directional post at a fork in the path.

(11) Turn completely right to finish the climb up Torre de Querroig. The steep path is well marked on the ground.

(12) From the ruins of the tower and castle, enjoy a magnificent 360° view.
''A very beautiful spot, large enough for a stop or a lunch break''.
Continue downhill along a steep path. Pass another large steel information panel. Continue north on this challenging descent, heading for the fire watchtower. Finally arrive at Coll de Cervera (incorrectly located on OSM maps). There is a large firefighting water tank at this pass.

(13) Continue climbing up the track.
Please stay on the track to avoid contributing to erosion in this area. Thank you.
Leave the watchtower and antennas of Puig Joan on your right above you.

(14) You will come to a right-hand bend in the track at a large EDF pylon on your left.
Descend to the left towards the pylon. The path is very well marked and the descent is also very challenging. You will reach Coll de la Creu in a very small flat area. Ignore the signpost.

No markings

(15) Continue straight ahead along the steep path with ascents and descents. Walk along a very long low wall on your right. The path eventually descends steeply and joins Coll de Gran Bau. Large flat area with road, paths and tracks. Directional signpost.

(16) Cross the very quiet road and continue to the right, due east, along the track. Stay on this track for 150 m until you reach a right-hand bend. Leave this track and take a well-marked path leading towards an antenna. Go around the antenna on the left. Continue along the very rough track which descends towards the D914.
Cross this road carefully and walk in single file on the right-hand side of the road to reach the car park (S/E).

This is a mid-mountain area. You will therefore need: rain and windproof clothing, water, snacks, a GPX track, description, map, GPS or Visorando app, camera, hiking boots and a walking stick. It is often cold at the Tour de Querroig.
To my knowledge, there are no shelters on this route, except for bus shelters and others in Cerbère.
On the first part of the route, you can fill your water bottles at the campsite and in Cerbère.
Note on elevation: On BaseCamp, the Visorando iOS app GPX track gives 1018 m, while the Etrex20 GPX track gives 1163 m. The highest point is 672 m. The elevation displayed by Visorando is underestimated.
The coastal path is a series of ascents and descents. All in all, the hike is quite challenging.

• You can start the hike from the Medical Centre and the campsite (2).

Coming from Banyuls-sur-Mer, at the roundabout, turn left and park in the large car park (for campsite visitors) on the right just after crossing the road bridge over the railway tracks.

Cerbère
The Coastal Path
The Transbordeuses
Hike completed as a group on 21 January 2021. Allow at least 5 hours for the walk.
Coll dels Belitres = Col des Gueux (thieves, smugglers)
Coll de Cervera = Col de Cerbère