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From Perpignan, head towards Andorra and Prades on the N116 dual carriageway. After Ille-su-Têt, the dual carriageway becomes a two-way road, the N116. Pass the Vinça reservoir. When you arrive in Marquixanes, turn right towards Eus D35a, then at the end of the bridge, after crossing the Têt, turn left onto the D35.
Then turn right onto Route de Prades and park at the top of the village entrance.
(S/E) Head east through the village. Turn left northwest onto the concrete path of Comes. At the top of the village, you will arrive at a parking area under a climbing rock on the right, below the church overlooking the village. Continue towards the last houses to the northwest.
(1) At the fork, turn right and follow the yellow markings. Pass by an old well that is still in good condition. Pass the Còrrec de Ribelles. The stone path rises sharply and turns east. Follow the yellow markings.
(2) At the crossroads, at altitude 465, head straight ahead. After turning east then north, you will reach a transverse track.
(3) Cross it and continue straight ahead. Pass a gully where the Còrrec dels Baixos flows. The path heads due east, climbing less steeply. You will arrive at an open area and a fork in the path.
(4) Head left, due north-west, through the low wall (cairn behind the wall: on the right, signpost). The path, which is very well marked on the ground, climbs quite steeply and eventually heads due north. The path runs through undergrowth with low Mediterranean-type vegetation. Follow the red and orange markings made by the hunters who maintain these old paths.
At altitude 662, cross some large rocks. Simply follow the red and orange markings. You will arrive at a flat, open area with low vegetation. You will find yourself on a track suitable for vehicles.
(5) Turn left onto this track and head towards a red and white metal barrier. About 30 metres before the barrier, climb up the ravine path on the right, heading north-west. Markings: blue circles.
Caution: this climb is particularly steep up to the altitude of 855.
Continue north-west. The path becomes less difficult but is still very steep until you reach altitude 963. End of the markings. Then find an old grassy track that is less steep. Climb towards the antennas.
Continue by going around the antennas and terrestrial relays on the right, towards another track suitable for vehicles. It is possible to climb near the buildings (altitude 1025). 360° panorama.
(6) At the fork, turn left, southwest, onto the track, which ends after 100 m. At the end of this track, turn right, northwest, onto another small, very rough and stony track.
Descend towards a pass. The rough track meets another track on flat ground (altitude 948). The track is now grassy and easier to walk on. It climbs towards the road where a red and white metal barrier blocks access to this track. This brings you to the Col de Roque Jalère (991 m).
(7) Turn left onto the left side of the road for 500 m. Be careful, even though there is very little traffic.
(8) At the road/track junction, turn right onto the wide track suitable for vehicles. It makes two bends as it climbs towards the old surveillance buildings. At the track junction, turn right.
Note: the area has been cleared (May 2019) and firebreaks have been created. This allows you to cut across the bends in the track.
In case of bad weather or unforeseen circumstances, it is possible to shorten the hike by simply continuing along the road to the community centre at altitude 951 and then following the description.
(9) Although access is blocked by a red and white metal barrier, it is possible to climb up to the old watchtower facilities (altitude 1051 m) via concrete stairs.
Caution: these buildings are very damaged and relatively dangerous due to their dilapidated condition.
360° panorama. Descend by following the small grassy track that starts at the foot of the watchtower.
Find the fork and turn right. You will arrive at the altitude of 1028.
Note: the area has been cleared (May 2019) and a firebreak has been created. This allows you to cut across the bend in the track.
The track winds its way up. After a right-hand bend, on a straight section of the track, you will find a well-marked path on the right that leads up to the large rock formations. Continue to Roc Jalère.
(10) 360° panorama. From this spot, everything suggests that this area was heavily used by herds. Descend towards the track. Cut across the bend via a stony track. Continue along this track, which descends slightly, heading south-west for 300 m.
(11) Just before going back up, and before a slight right-hand bend, turn left and leave the track. You will see two cairns on your left. Descend steeply south-east through the low vegetation. The path is well marked. The vegetation has been cut back. There are scattered red and orange markings.
- The landmark is the white water pumping station building, then a little further down the road with a building with a red roof. The path is well marked on the ground and clear. Caution: the path passes through very stony areas where it is advisable to be careful. Reach the crossroads of the road, the path and the track to follow.
(12) Head straight ahead, going around the community centre on the left. Continue along the track for 150 metres towards a red and white metal barrier.
Turn right immediately after this barrier, walking along the left side of an enclosure.
Note: a shepherdess is stationed here (May 2019). Dogs guard a flock of sheep. It is a good idea to ask permission to pass behind the enclosure so that she can keep the dogs away.
Alternatively, from the village hall, follow the stream to join the path described below.
Head west downhill towards Còrrec de la Font de l'Orri. Follow the small, well-marked path. Red and orange markings will help you on your way. Stay fairly close to the Còrrec.
- Before entering the forest, you can follow a path that descends near the Còrrec and corresponds to the IGN trail. However, simply following the red and orange markings, the trail tape and a black plastic water pipe makes the route easier. You will come to a wider, flat path that leads back to a track.
(13) At the fork, turn left, south-east, onto this track. Follow the yellow markings. Head towards the restored church of Coma (les Coumes). 360° panorama. Altitude 780. The place is locked. It could be perfect, but goats and sheep roam freely and the place is dirty.
(14) At the fork (altitude 780), turn left onto a small track that is grassy at the start. The track descends. Pass the thalweg (710 m) where the Còrrec de la Font de l'Orri flows. The track climbs slightly, heading due east. Follow it for 300 m.
(15) At the fork, turn right onto the track that descends south-east. There are two cairns here. Cross another valley and immediately turn right onto a path that cuts across the bends in the track. From now on, follow this water path, called Chemin des Sources. Join the track. Ford the Còrrec de la Font de l'Orri and continue for 150 m.
(16) Please note: turn left. There is a sign for "Eus par le Chemin des Sources". Descend this very pretty, gently sloping path towards Eus. You will come to an open area where there is a building on the right with terraced vineyards.
(17) At the fork, turn left: beautiful view of the village.
(1) Continue straight ahead, following the same path as on the way there, to return to the starting point (S/E).
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