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From Perpignan, head towards Le Boulou (D900) then Céret, Amélie-les-Bains, Arles-sur-Tech (D115). Continue on the D115. At the Tech exit, turn right and go up the D74a towards the hamlet of La Llau (L'Allau on IGN). Caution: the small 7 km road, which is in good condition, is narrow in places. Drive past the hamlet and continue for 500 m to find a car park on the right-hand side after the road bridge.
No signposts
(S/E) From the car park, retrace your steps along the D74 to the hamlet of La Llau.
(1) On leaving the hamlet, at the water source, turn left and climb the small, damaged road towards Coll de La Roua (altitude 1013). The damaged tarmac road ends at the pass.
(2) Continue along the track towards the Sant-Guillem refuge. There is a large steel gate with "Sant-Guillem" engraved on it. After a sharp bend, the track becomes concrete and climbs northwards.
At an altitude of 1134 metres, where the concrete ends, at Mas Ventós, you will find a grassy track on the right that climbs upwards.
(3) In case of unforeseen circumstances, you can go directly to the refuge by continuing straight ahead along the track.
Otherwise, at the end of the concrete section, climb up to the right along the grassy track, go through the gate and continue climbing towards the antennas (at around 1135 m), where you will also find the EDF penstock facilities, which you will have passed several times since the start.
(4) This is a hunting area, so a yellow vest or brightly coloured oversack may be useful in case of 4x4s and hunters to make you more visible. Signs indicating that hunting is in progress are usually posted. Make yourself noticed and ask for permission to continue.
- This track, which remains on the grassy ridge, facing north, offers magnificent scenery throughout the steady climb. Keep heading north. Pass an electric fence and arrive at Pla de la Faja, where the track then turns north-west. On the right-hand side, there is a sign on a very large rock.
(5) Note the semi-underground sheepfold (Cortal Allosat) on the left, which is nearly fifty metres long. The slate roof is magnificent. The entrance has been beautifully rebuilt in dry stone and closed with a padlocked door (observed on 15 December 2024). Please do not climb onto the roof. Thank you.
150 metres further on, continue to the right and you will come to a wide track suitable for vehicles.
(6) At this crossroads, at around 1360 m, cross the electric fence, which should be closed again, and turn left heading west along the track. There are also beautiful landscapes here. After 2 km, you will reach another track at a destroyed wooden barrier.
Yellow markings
(7) Turn left onto this track towards the Refuge de Saint-Guillem. On the right, higher up, are a chapel and a house, both private, and at the edge of the track is a large abandoned building.
(8) During the season, the Refuge de Sant-Guillem offers accommodation, food and drinks. Very welcoming.
Go around the refuge on the left-hand side or via the steel staircase and you will find yellow markings in good condition. Descend via this path. Pass the arboretum. Cross two còrrecs (talweg). Close the electric fences properly. Take care when crossing the second còrrec, as the path is very rutted and requires a little caution.
(9) Before the agricultural equipment storage building, at a set of weather recorders, turn right onto a path and after two sharp bends, join the D74.
Turn right onto this road and continue for 200 metres to reach the car park (S/E).
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