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From Perpignan, on arriving in Olette, opposite the old petrol station (building under renovation), turn right towards Sansa via the D4. Patience and extreme caution are required. The narrow road is in perfect condition but there isn’t a single straight stretch during the half-hour it takes to reach the heart of the beautiful village of Sansa.
Park at the top of the village, on Place de l’Église, following signs for Col de Sansa.
Yellow markings. Numerous signs and directional posts.
(S/E) From the car park, with the rear wall of the church-town hall on your left, head west. You will soon come across signposts.
Follow the signs for Col de Sansa for about a hundred metres and look for an ascending track on the right.
(1) Turn sharply right onto this track, making sure to follow the yellow markings. Soon, at the end of the tarmac section, turn left, taking care to pass to the left of a small building. You’ll come to a well-maintained grassy track; follow it as it climbs gently, heading generally north.
Enter the forest via a narrower, less comfortable path for about 500 m.
Look out for a yellow sign indicating a left turn.
(2) Then head steeply down to the left, due west, along a small path clearly marked on the ground. You’ll reach an open area and cross a brand-new wooden footbridge. Signpost.
Head back up opposite, then turn due north along a good, well-marked and signposted path which eventually levels out.
Look for a yellow left turn sign. Then head slightly downhill to go round a house. Join a track suitable for vehicles.
(3) Turn right onto this track and follow it for about 60 metres.
Look out for a yellow left turn sign. Climb steeply to the left along a stony path.
You’ll soon reach a fork. There’s a signpost.
Turn right for a return trip to Corral Blasi, a large and magnificent corral.
Back at the fork, continue to the right towards the Lime Kiln and the Megalithic Bridge.
Be sure to follow the clear yellow markings, which are abundant and in good condition.
This will take you to the Megalithic Bridge on the Ribera de Cabrils. Information panel.
(4) Cross the bridge, turn left and climb steeply to the right, following the well-marked path.
You will arrive at another corral at Clos del Casso.
Take care: opposite this corral, turn left and you will soon come to a wide path through the woods.
Follow it slightly downhill, passing an old lime kiln. Information board.
Further down, you’ll reach a large fork in the path in a clearing. Signposts.
(5) Option to turn left and head directly to Pla de l'Orri via the yellow-marked path.
Turn right, heading for Col de Sansa, climbing steeply up a wide, very stony path.
You’ll arrive at another flat clearing; veer slightly to the right and reach the edge of one of the Étangs d’els Estanyols. The other pond is on your right. Turn due north towards the Refuge des Estagnols.
(6) A very beautiful spot. Designated and equipped campfire area. See practical information.
Turn due west along a grassy track and, at a junction, join another track that is authorised and passable by vehicle up to this point.
Head straight down this track. Continue along this track, which is suitable for vehicles and slopes gently downwards. Much further on, you’ll reach the large Coll de Sansa with its huge multi-directional junction.
Authorised and equipped campfire area, picnic table.
Unmarked
(7) Turn sharply left onto a track in poor condition with a road sign: maximum 3.5 tonnes. Descend for just over 200 m until you reach a badly damaged track on the right.
(8) Descend to the right along this track until you reach a four-way X-shaped junction at an elevation of 1,674 metres.
Continue descending straight ahead to reach another large junction of several tracks at Pla de l’Orri.
Please note: a signpost is in place for those arriving from Sansa: ‘Orri de Mr Hullo’ can be confusing at this point. ‘However, it is this orri you need to reach’.
Yellow markings and wooden posts painted yellow. Numerous signposts and directional posts.
(9) Turn left, heading north-east, into the pasture for a return trip to the large orri, reinforced by a concrete arch.
(10) Return to this large crossroads and head south, climbing slightly along a track completely overgrown with grass.
Quickly spot the second signpost: Orri de Mr Hullo. Continue along this open track, with beautiful scenery, and arrive at the Orri de Monsieur Hullo (Hulot on the IGN map) on the right-hand side of the track.
From this spot, looking south-east, the roof of the bell tower of Sansa church is visible at the bottom of the valley.
The area is perfectly clear (observed on 1 November 2022). Information board.
(11) Look for a yellow left turn sign. Then descend steeply to the left, due east, then due north, along a small path very clearly marked on the ground. Wooden posts marked in yellow and in excellent condition.
The path eventually widens, becoming comfortable and flat.
(12) Look for a yellow right turn. Then head steeply down to the right, due east, along a small path clearly marked on the ground. Wooden posts marked in yellow in excellent condition.
Much further down, fords a stream, then heads back up through the pasture slightly to the right to join another marked path at a fork. Directional post.
(13) Turn right onto this very beautiful and well-maintained path. Cross a wide concrete footbridge (road bridge) and head slightly uphill. Follow this very good path. ‘Beautiful views of the valley floor and the surrounding area.’
This will take you to the Croix de Rogations at the junction with the track coming from Sansa.
(14) Follow the track opposite, which is partly tarmac-surfaced, to reach the village (S/E).
You can stroll around the village and visit the stopover lodge.
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