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The hike starts at the Romanesque church of San Marti in the hamlet of Lavall (La Vall or Lavail), in the municipality of Sorède.
To get there, take the D2 departmental road between Argelès-sur-Mer and Sorède and, about halfway along, turn south onto the small tarmac road leading to Lavall (signposted at the crossroads).
Please note: In winter, you can park your car in a widened section of the road, subject to permission. Otherwise, you will have to park in the mandatory car park much further along the road. You will need to return to the church to start the hike, or rather start the hike from there
(S/E) Take the path that passes in front of the church and descends into the bed of the Massane (Maçana).
(1). Cross the ford and, on the other side, turn left onto the yellow-marked path (PR®).
After about 200 m, at a fork, turn right and follow the yellow marked path that climbs steeply into the cork oak forest.
The path climbs steadily to an altitude of about 680 m, where it joins twoPR® trails coming from the Vallée Heureuse and Sorède to the west.
(2) Caution: there are two forks in the path, very close to each other. Continue straight ahead at the first fork, then turn left at the second and continue climbing.
After 150 m, the marked path branches off to the right, along the ridge. The IGN map does not correspond to the route on the ground. Arrive at the point at an altitude of 934 m. Pass through a treeless area covered with short grass where you can see the Tour de la Massane on your left (east). Yellow markings are present.
The path, clearly marked in the vegetation, descends towards the Col de l'Aranyó.
(3) The path then begins to climb again as it enters the beech forest.
After about a kilometre, you will come to a clearing. Observation on 10 March 2021. There is a new fence to cross via a passageway. Continue along the track to the Col des Trois Hêtres (Coll dels Tres Faigs).
(4) Cross the forest road and continue climbing, with the fence on your left, through the forest straight ahead. Ignore the paths on the left that descend.
(5) At the edge of the forest, look for cairns. Further up, cross theGR®10.
Take theGR®10a few metres to the left and cross the fence at the designated crossing point. Then climb with the fence on your right until you reach the summit of the Pic des Quatre Termes, marked by a stone marker.
(6) Continue the hike heading east, rejoining theGR®10.
Descend via theGR®10and follow it through the Coll del Pal.
(7) Continue on theGR®10 trailtowards the east. Stay below the Pic de Sallfort and descend due east on the shoulder.
(8) At the intersection with another yellow-marked trail, follow it to the left towards the west.
(9) If you have a headlamp (see Practical Information), go left through the tunnel (option shown on the map). Otherwise, follow the yellow markings that allow you to bypass the tunnel. Pass under the point at altitude 684, then the Fontaine d'en Cassanyes, in the Correc del Clot valley. The path then climbs again to emerge at the Col d'en Verderol.
(10) Open area (around 790 m). Beautiful view to the right. Directional sign.
Continue straight ahead, following the yellow markings.
(11) At the fork, continue straight ahead, following the yellow markings. Directional signpost.
Pass the Cabane dels Porcs on your right and join the Coll de la Plaça d'Armes.
(12) Continue straight ahead on thePR® trail, which climbs quite steeply. Leave the path that descends to the Andreu Fountain on your right. Climb up to the left to the Massane Tower, which emerges above the forest.
(13) After admiring the beautiful 360° panorama, descend steeply, heading north. Pass an area of large rocks.
The trail is still markedPR® (yellow). It descends rapidly to a fork where you turn left and continue downhill. Pass Coll del Pomer and continue towards Roc del Grill, where you will see a huge circular pile of stones.
(14) Turn left towards Lavall (Lavail). The trail descends to a forest road overlooking La Massane.
(15) At the signpost, turn right towards the car park and follow this road to the hamlet of Lavall. Below, you can see giant's kettles, which are very popular for swimming in summer.
(16) At the crossroads, turn left onto the paved road that takes you back to the church of San Marti de Lavall (S/E).
From Lavail, you have to cross the Massane, which is not possible after heavy rain.
Visorando member
Moderate 
Very difficult 
Tourist office
Easy 
