Park either at the Tourist Office car park (if there is space) or at the Pateck (circular colonnade) by taking the road (Rue Mistral) that goes up to the left just before the office.
(S/E) At Pateck, take Rue d'Aix-les-Bains, which goes up to the right of the chapel.
(1) At the crossroads, take the second street on the left and then immediately right onto Allée du Col. The serious part begins right away. The path, sometimes broken up by wild boars, climbs quite steeply through the villas.
(2) The path, which is not very visible, continues straight ahead at this point, along the edge of the ravine: a nice climb. At the top, turn right and head for the Col de l'Étoile (crossroads of roads and tracks).
(3) Take the track opposite at the bend. After about 250 m, turn left and continue along the hairpin bends until you reach a crossroads of tracks.
(4) Take the second track on the right, which descends south towards the nearby road. Cross the road, continue for about 100 metres to the right (south-east) and then take the track.
(5) Just before the gate, turn left, heading east, onto the small stony path that goes around the property.
(6) At the crossroads overlooking the sea, take the path on the left which heads north-east, running along the coastline.
you can also make a short round trip (60 m) by taking the path on the right that leads to the oratory dedicated to Notre-Dame de la Mer.
You will reach a fork in the path.
(7) You now have two options:
- take the path on the left, which quickly turns into a track,
- stay on the rough path on the right that continues overlooking the sea (option shown on the map). Both paths meet further on, just before descending to Bonporteau Beach. Cross the ford and turn right towards the beach for a nice break.
(8) Turn around, without going back through the ford, and continue straight ahead into the shady Fenouillet valley (a complete change of scenery). Follow the stream upstream under the cover of vegetation, crossing it either by fording or using a footbridge. You will come to a crossroads.
Note that the first footbridge on the right has been closed since 2022, so you will have to wade across the stream.
(9) Take thesecond footbridge on the right, in the middle of a forest of reed fences, towards a car park higher up. Reach the tarmac road that has replaced the railway line. Follow it to the left, on this road that passes under the mountain through a tunnel and then turns into a track. It offers glimpses of the blue sea and runs alongside the famous Rayol botanical garden before returning to civilisation.
The track ends at a road in a bend.
(10) Go up the road on the right for 20 m, then take the steps that will bring you back to the starting point (S/E).
