The Iron Trail – Pinosa and Batera Mines from Coll Palomeres

Whether you’re coming from Vinça via Baillestavy and Valmanya, or from Céret via Oms, Calmeilles, Col d’en Forto, La Trinité and La Bastide, the D13 leads to Coll Palomeres. Park without obstructing traffic on the road or on the tracks. Coming from La Bastide, park on the right just before the pass.

Yellow markings

(S/E) From the car park along the D13, head due south, climbing up a concrete track for a few dozen metres and passing through a wooden gate, which is often open.
Further up, the track is concrete again. Continue up this fairly steep climb until you reach a fork. There is a signpost on the right-hand side of the track.

(1) Leave the track and head left towards Torre de Batera (Tour de Batère). This path is quite steep and joins a track much higher up, which is in fact the old railway line used to transport iron ore. There is a signpost.

(2) Turn right, towards Pinosa, onto this old railway line, which has become a very pretty forest path. Pass through an old railway tunnel and reach a closed mountain hut which was the former Stop No. 5. Continue along this very pleasant stretch with beautiful scenery. You will then reach a junction of three tracks. Signpost.

(3) Continue left along the track towards Pinosa. Much further on, you’ll reach an open, grassy area at a junction of three tracks. Take care: there are no signposts.

(4) Turn left onto an almost flat track heading north-west, going round a wooden fence. You’ll reach another junction where three tracks meet.

(5) Ignore the track that climbs to the left; continue straight ahead on almost level ground heading west.

(6) Cross the Còrrec de Ponsí. A fountain has been installed (dry at the start of April 2024). Pass the entrance to a mine on your left.

(7) Cross the Còrrec del Pas Ample and very quickly leave the old railway line to head up to the left along a path through the forest. You will therefore pass above two railway tunnels below on the right. You’ll reach a mine building on a large flat area (descarga: unloading point) at Repalona. Danger warning sign.

Recent yellow markings – old red and yellow markings

(8) Lovely view. Stay behind the safety railing.
The rest of the path is much less comfortable. Be sure to follow the markings. Head far to the left, southwards, along a damaged path that winds up and down, staying on the hillside through this woodland. You’ll reach a barely marked fork.

(9) Danger: do not venture towards the former Repalona mining site.
Head straight up to the left. Cross the Còrrec de Repalona and turn right (north-west), continuing to climb along a rough path.
Watch out for the cable running close to the ground across the path. Further on, there is another cable at mid-height across the path.
You will soon reach a lovely path running along a ledge. The buildings of the former Pinosa iron mines are visible in the distance, in a vast, sun-drenched area. You will come to a wooden gate, which you must ensure you close behind you, and enter the site, which was restored in 2023 (Fondation du Patrimoine).
You’ll immediately pass the entrance to the powder magazine. Wander through these secluded areas, which were self-sufficient in their day. Head for the old EDF transformer.
A lovely spot for a contemplative and restorative break.

Recentyellow markings

(10) Above this transformer, a very steep path begins which leads into the forest. Heading south-east, climb steadily along a very good path. Stay on the left bank of the Còrrec del Mener. The path turns north-east and passes the source of the Còrrec.
From this open, level stretch, continue along the much less steep path. You’ll reach another open area with a stunning view. Take care: make absolutely sure you spot the markings.

(11) Turn sharply right, heading south. Climb steeply in a zigzag pattern and continue due east along a less steep path. You will finally reach the Collet de Pei (small pine pass) and its vast grazing area. Descend slightly into an area where you will find a cairn marked with a small wooden post painted yellow.

Yellow markings and cairns

(12) Take particular care in bad weather.
Pass the first path on the left, which climbs up to Puig de l’Estella (Star Peak).
Ignore a second path on the left which descends into the valley. Turn right, south-west, for a few metres, walking on level ground between exposed rocks along a path that is barely visible on the ground, and arrive at the junction with a path marked in yellow.

(13) Leave the path, which climbs to the right along the ridge. Head due south towards a sunken track (in the true sense of the word) at the edge of a young pine forest. Walk almost level (along a balcony-like ledge) on this beautiful grassy path heading south. The path then descends slightly. Ignore the paths leading uphill to the right and downhill to the left. This will take you to the^GR®®10. Signpost.

Red and white markings for^{the GR®®11}

(14) You can visit an old iron mine situated higher up on the right.
Otherwise, turn left onto the^GR®®10. Follow the new markings carefully and head towards the former unloading area of a large iron mine at Batera. You’ll reach the water catchment area and a spring-fed fountain. Turn right onto a wide grassy track. You can cut across the bends in the track via very well-marked paths to reach the Batère stopover lodge.

(15) Beautiful viewpoint. Food and drink available during the summer season.
- Continue along the road towards the Col de la Descarga (Iron Unloading Pass). Signpost.

Yellow markings are very sparse

(16) Head due north along the concrete track for 50 m towards Torre de Batera. Then continue north-eastwards until you reach a large open area at a multi-way junction. Signpost.
Take care. Fortunately, there are plenty of signposts and directions.

Yellow and red markings –^GRP® Ronde du Canigou and yellow La Volta de Batera

(17) Option to make a round trip up to Torre de Batera.
Alternatively, head down north-east between two rock outcrops and you’ll soon reach a fork in the path. Signpost.

(18) Cross an old fence to the left, heading north, and descend towards Els Menerots along a very good path through the forest. You’ll reach a wide track suitable for vehicles. There’ s a signpost a few metres to the left on the other side of the track.

(19) Cross it by turning left then right and head down for a few metres along a path through scree, soon reaching another track, this time a narrower one.

(20) Cross this track and continue the descent along a good path. Pass the Còrrec de l’Home Mort and, once again, join a larger, grassy track.

(21) Cross it by veering left then right and come within sight of an old mining building below on your right. Continue down and join the track leading to the building.
You may wish to explore the site, taking care.

(22) Cross it by turning left then right and arrive at a large area: an ore-washing water reservoir, old hoppers, and the entrance to a tunnel. Dangerous area: stay on the path.

(23) Nevertheless, it is possible to descend to the right towards the large Els Menerots furnace via a path once used by miners. A very interesting spot.
Alternatively, continue steeply uphill along the rest of the signposted path. Is there a signpost further on?
- Pass under a ‘descarga’ (mine tailings dump): a large scree slope of small rocks.
You’ll reach an area with a wire fence on the right and a building (ruin) on the left: the engineers’ hut, marked as ‘Casa del Rei’ (King’s House) on the IGN map?

(24) Continue along the narrow path, with the wire fence on your right, until you reach a gate.
Please follow the instructions to ensure the right of way is maintained for those coming after you. Thank you.
If there are hunting notices posted on this gate, head up to the left from the ruins of the casa or just past the gate to reach the track above. Thank you.
- Otherwise, continue along the marked path, keeping the wire fence on your right. You’ll reach a junction of tracks and paths.

(25) Cross the wide dirt track. Continue straight ahead along the path, keeping the wire fence on your right. There are often llamas here!
Carry on until you finally reach the D13, crossing an electric fence which you must close properly behind you. Thank you.
You’ll immediately rejoin the (S/E).

Spring water can be collected before the Batère refuge or at the Batère refuge (15).
The springs have dried up or are flowing very little (observed in April 2024). The springs and streams (Rec) are flowing well (observed in April 2025).
Outside the summer season, shelter is available in the old buildings at Batera.

This is a mid-mountain area: a windbreaker, water, a snack, a GPX track, a route description, a map, a GPS or the Visorando app, a camera, good walking shoes and a walking stick.

It is possible to split the hike into two stages by staying overnight at the Batera Refuge. This allows you to explore the Old Mines of La Pinouse (restored and made safe) in more detail, climb Puig de l’Estella and follow the ridge leading to Coll de la Cirera before reaching the refuge.

Source of the document.
- Photo credits
- Archives of the Syndicat Mixte Canigó Grand Site, Julien Galve, BRGM, Communauté de Communes du Haut-Vallespir, illustrations by Georgius Agricola from *De re metallica*, Olivier Rodriguez
iron ore mining