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Cross Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste via the road bridge over the Tech. At the roundabout, turn right onto the D115A. Park immediately on the right in the car park set up as a rest area, below, on the right bank of the Tech.
(S/E) Watch out for traffic. From the car park, cross towards the large steps using the pedestrian crossing. Climb up the hill, passing the house on your right. Climb up this wide grassy path.
(1) At the fork, turn right and go uphill. Leave the wide path. The narrower path then heads due west. Follow the red and yellow markings ofthe GR®® de pays - Tour du Vallespir.
(2) At the fork, turn left, following the red and yellow markings. Continue climbing. You will reach a small road. Turn left onto the road. Follow it for 150 metres.
(3) When you reach a road, turn right and climb up a track. You will come to the end of a small road. Please be mindful of the residents and respect the area.
(4) When you reach the end of the road, continue straight ahead along a wide track that climbs through the meadows, leaving two houses on your left. You will come to a scrap metal hunters' shelter: the view is spectacular.
(5) The track then heads south-west. You will arrive at Coll d'en Cé (1305m). The track becomes a path that climbs steeply into the forest.
Caution: always follow the red and yellow markings.
At around 1500m, the path veers sharply to the right, heading north-east. Continue towards the clearly visible tower (it is possible to climb to the top of the tower; the stairs are very narrow and unlit, but the effort is rewarded).
(6) Descend via a wide track parallel to the arrival path. Head south-west without markings. Pass a barrier that prohibits access to the tower.
(7) Trail fork (1530m point). Head right. The trail is almost flat. Continue for 400m.
N.B. If you encounter any problems: See practical information.
(8) Turn right across the meadow, heading north-west (yellow markings), towards "Piège à ours" (bear trap). Follow the yellow-marked posts that line the path.
(9) When you reach the bear trap, turn back. After about 150m, leave the yellow markings and turn right towards the clearly visible summit of Puig Sec, climbing up a valley. At the summit (360° panorama).
(10) Descend towards the Spanish border. Join a good path marked in red and yellow towards a basin dug into the meadow at Coll de les Basses de Fabert. At this reservoir, turn left towards the forest. Descend along this marked path, leaving the forest on your right, towards a signpost.
N.B. The IGN map does not correspond to the terrain.
(11) Crossroads of tracks and paths. Head opposite, south-east, on the left bank of the small stream that runs alongside the forest on your right. You will arrive at a hairpin bend in a track. Turn left onto the track and descend for 40 metres. Then turn right onto a wide grassy path through the meadow. Descend towards the clearly visible shelter.
You will arrive at this forest house (1515m) with a freely accessible area (a nice place to stop). Continue along the wide grassy path, heading north towards the fountain, which flows abundantly. Join the wide track below.
(12) At the Fontaine de la Torrem, turn right onto the track, heading south for 350 metres. White and yellow markings.
(13) Take a small grassy track on the left, marked in white and yellow. Please note that the map is accurate but the path to follow is confusing.
A wooden signpost is now fixed to the ground (8 March 2020). Head towards Prats-de-Mollo.
After the first left turn, continue downhill for 150m, then turn right onto a narrower path that descends through the forest. Cross the Còrrec de la Freixeneda. Follow the markings carefully.
You will now have to descend 450m through this forest. The path is safe, winding and descending gently. At around 1360m, leave an old track on the right. Continue downhill. Cross the Còrrec de la Freixeneda again via a small footbridge. Continue descending on the left bank of the Canidell. Join a track at a bend (984m). Turn left onto this track, staying on the left bank of the Canidell for 250m.
(14) Turn right onto the Chemin de l'Eau du el Canidell. White and yellow markings. Cross the el Canidell via a footbridge. Follow the markings. Stay on the right bank of the stream, heading due east. The path, which is well-maintained but difficult to find, widens and becomes an unmaintained grassy track with fallen trees. Same observation on 8 March 2020. You will arrive at an area where all kinds of stones are stored. Continue downhill. Pass the altitude of 826m.
Caution, private property: stay on the wide track and continue descending towards the road. A right of way for hikers is posted on the gate.
(15) At the crossroads (caution: traffic), cross the road. Head straight ahead, following the yellow markings towards the car park. Continue along the track. Pass under Roca Gallinera on the right-hand side. Continue descending gently on the right bank, above Còrrec el Canidell.
This is a confusing area with many paths. Reach an area where you can see the old mines on your left. Turn right. Cross the Coma de Joan stream.
(16) Turn left, following the red and white markings of the GRT83. Continue and cross the Còrrec el Canidell via a large footbridge. Continue along a concrete path that remains below the road on the left. You will come out onto the D115 road.
Cross the road (be careful of traffic). Do not go down to the roundabout. Go straight ahead along a wide grassy path, following the yellow markings. You will come to a fork in the path that you took on the way out.
(1) Descend to the left towards the car park (S/E).
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