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Cross Vernet-les-Bains towards Casteil. At the end of Avenue Docteur Piglowski, at the end of the oblong roundabout, turn right, crossing a road bridge over the Cady (El Cadi) towards the thermal baths. Turn left after the bridge and park in the car park of the Vernet-les-Bains Thermal Baths (there are recycling bins).
White and yellow markings
(S/E) Head towards the road bridge, leaving it on your right.
(1) Turn left and, at the fork, continue along Allée du Parc and you will soon find a passage on the left between two buildings. Go up the stairs. Cross a footbridge over a very deep hole.
Directional sign.
(2) At the two junctions, continue straight ahead, climbing slightly.
(3) Continue left along the road (Chemin de la Péna) with the Camping des Cerisiers campsite below on your right. The road ends and continues as a track, then a path. Continue straight ahead towards the west. Descend towards a stream.
(4) Leave theGRP® trail climbing to the left into the forest. Cross the ford over this small stream and continue climbing to the right into the forest, heading north then north-west. The path then curves south-west.
White and yellow markings. Red and yellowGRP® markings for the Ronde du Canigou.
(5) Cross a track and continue straight ahead, climbing up into a pasture. Join theGRP® and follow it to the right. Find a track and follow it to the right, climbing upwards. The landscape opens up. Very beautiful panorama.
Climb with the relay antenna in your sights.
(6) This is a beautiful spot to take a break and admire the Catalan mountains of Conflent.
Leave the antenna on your right and continue climbing to the left along a track. At the new signpost further on, follow Tour de Goa, south-east then south, passing a large yew tree on your left.
Pass Coll de les Manxes and continue south on this good path, which climbs in the open.
(7) Leave the path on the left*. Continue climbing up the mountainside and reach a ridge.
To the east is the hamlet of Sahorre.
(8) Fork in a flat, open area. Directional sign. Head southwest, to the right, through a steel gate. Climb steeply up a small, rough track to the clearly visible tower.
(9) From the Torre de Goà (Goa Tower), there is a beautiful 360° panorama. The tower is in perfect condition but is not open to visitors. It is a very beautiful, spacious place that is ideal for a lunch break. Orientation table.
To the south-west, at the bottom of the Rotjà valley, is the hamlet of Py. To the north-east, barely visible in the mountains, is the Abbey of Saint-Martin du Canigou, perched on its rocky peak.
Then descend westwards along the grassy track. Turn south after 100 m. The track is then in very poor condition and very stony until you reach Coll de Jou (Col de Jou). Motor vehicle access restricted since 2020.
Yellow markings
(10) Large flat and open area, cross this road and find a path after a gate.
Begin the descent along the Còrrec del Coll de Jou. Cut across the tarmac road below. Join the end of another tarmac road that provides access to the animal park. Continue down this road to reach Casteil.
You can visit this charming hamlet, which is the starting point for access to the Abbey.
Then continue downhill on the D116. There is very little traffic except in July and August.
(11) At the left-hand bend on the D116, cross the road and continue straight ahead. Cross the road again at the bridge and continue straight ahead. Further down, you will rejoin the D116.
(12) Turn left onto the D116, staying on the hard shoulder. There is very little traffic except in July and August.
Further on, look for a wooden sign on the left: Vernet. You can avoid a bit of road by taking this path parallel to the road. This will take you to the road bridge over the El Cadi (Le Cady). Turn left to cross it.
(1) Then turn left again to return to the car park (S/E).
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Difficult 
Easy 
