Refuge Sant Guillem - Chemin d'els Troncassers - Puig Sarraïns - La Llau

(S) From the refuge, climb up the track taken the previous day and turn left towards the chapel and the adjoining hermitage until you reach the junction with a track. Please respect the peace and quiet of the area. Thank you. There is a cross, an orientation table and a signpost.

Yellow and red markings (^GRP®® Tour du Vallespir et du Canigó).

(1) Continue left on the trail, heading north. You will soon reach a first fork.
Directional signpost.

(2) Continue climbing to the right and reach the Coll de Baixó.
Directional post.

No markings (old yellow markings very scattered).

(3) Continue straight ahead, north-west and much higher up, until you reach a large wooden enclosure blocking the way into a vast area (altitude 1,580 m) with a new yellow sign pointing left. (observed on 31-08-2023). A little further on, on the right: EDF vent pipe on the right.
Directional signpost on the left.
Look for the galvanised steel gate on the left.

Recent regularyellow markings.

(4) Go through it and climb completely to the left, heading south at first. (Close the gate properly). Very quickly, the beautiful path enters the forest. Follow it and climb up the numerous hairpin bends. You will come to another change of direction (altitude 1,641 m). There is a yellow cross opposite.

(5) Leave it and head off to the far left, heading south, following the yellow markings and continuing to climb via more hairpin bends. The path then climbs very slightly and continuously through the forest. You will reach an area with avalanche barriers.

(6) There are some remarkable stone walls. There is no problem crossing this open area. Beautiful landscape.
Continue and pass two springs, one of which has a drinking trough. The landscape is also beautiful here. Pass a kind of belvedere with a very beautiful view of the Coumelade Valley.
Soon the forest thins out and you can see a pass above. Continue almost level, heading south, avoiding fallen trees, without trying to climb steeply, and join the^GRP®® coming from Coll de Baixó (alt. 1,780 m).

(7) Turn completely right onto the^GRP®® and arrive at a large grazing area at the Col de Serre Vernet at an altitude of 1798 metres.
Signpost.
Caution: confusing area. Follow the direction: Prats-de-Mollo, no markings visible from this sign. Do not follow the markings on the wooden posts opposite.

Yellow and red markings (^GRP®® throughout the Vallespir)

(8) From this signpost, turn left, heading south on almost flat ground, towards the forest for about 30 m. Make sure you see the sign on the first tree on the left.
Continue through the forest for about 130 m to reach a clearing (observed at the end of July and August 2023).

The yellow markings are in good condition and the cairns are clearly visible.

(9) Leave the^GRP®® markings, which continue south.
Turn left, south-east, and look for two large cairns in succession and the start of the yellow markings. Then head south in a straight line, climbing steadily, following a good path, the markings and the numerous cairns. You will come out into a beautiful, open area with some impressive rocks on your right.
Follow the yellow markings on the ground on small rocks. Then climb a few metres to the right to reach Puig dels Sarrasaïns at an altitude of 1,830 metres (geodetic marker at the summit).
Enjoy the vast 360° landscape stretching as far as the eye can see.

(10) Turn back a few metres to the bottom of the hill and head right, south-east.
Caution: be sure to follow the clearly visible markings and numerous cairns.
Much further down, cross an area of scree via a stony path and then arrive at a sort of pass (altitude 1,695 m). Make sure you spot a yellow signpost indicating a left turn in order to change slopes.

(11) Descend to the left along a rather unattractive path. Pass through rocky areas on the stony path.
A few clearings in the forest reveal beautiful landscapes.
Much further down, you will reach a fork in the path with a cross path.
There are no signs at this point.

(12) Take the pretty path on the left through the forest. Pass a section of wire avalanche barriers. Then climb steeply through the forest and you will come to the end of a comfortable track, level with some stone avalanche barriers.
Simply follow it and you will come out into a large area at a crossroads of three tracks.

(13) Continue straight ahead on this flat track, heading north. The track then turns east and joins a fork you passed on the way up.

Yellow and red markings (^GRP®® Tour du Vallespir et du Canigó).

(2) Continue opposite and follow the same route as on the way there to reach the chapel and adjoining hermitage, then the Sant Guillem refuge. Remember to pick up any excess items from your rucksack left at the refuge. You can take a short break on the terrace.

Yellow markings

(S) At the end of the terrace, on the forest side, go down the steel staircase, turn right and descend the poorly marked but unmistakable path. Much further down, you will reach the road (D74).

(14) Follow it to the right towards the hikers' car park (E).

You can leave any excess luggage at the refuge for this hike and pick it up on your return.

The time indicated is accurate if you take the time to enjoy this beautiful discovery hike.

Drinking water is available at the Refuge de Sant Guillem and from the tap in the toilets below the refuge.
There are various streams and springs, but the water must be filtered or purified.

This is a mid-mountain area. You will need: rain gear, water, snacks, GPX route, description, map, GPS or Visorando app, camera, good walking shoes, walking stick.

This hike is mostly shaded, so you will need to set off early during hot weather, and the weather can change very quickly in this valley.

In case of problems or bad weather:
- (3) continue along the track on the left (^GRP®®) for the standard route to Coll de Serre Vernet (8).
- (8) Turn back to (7) and continue downhill, south-east, on the^GRP®® to Coll Baixó (3).