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From Perpignan, head towards Le Boulou (D900) then Céret, Amélie-les-Bains and Arles-sur-Tech (D115). Continue on the D115. On leaving Le Tech, turn sharp right and head uphill along the D74a towards the hamlet of La Llau (L’Allau on IGN maps). Caution: the 7 km road, which is in good condition, is narrow in places. Drive past the hamlet and continue for 500 m; after the road bridge, you’ll find a car park on the right-hand side.
Unmarked route
(S/E) From the car park, retrace your steps along the D74 back to the hamlet of La Llau.
(1) On leaving the hamlet, at the water source, turn left and head uphill along the small, potholed road towards the Coll de La Roua (elevation 1,013). The potholed 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 due north.
At an altitude of 1,134 metres, where the concrete ends, at Mas Ventós, look for a grassy track on the right that leads uphill.
(3) In case of any unforeseen circumstances, you can go directly to the refuge by continuing straight on along the track.
Otherwise, at the end of the tarmac section, turn right onto the grassy track, go through the gate, and continue climbing towards the antennas (at around 1,135 m), where you’ll also find the EDF facilities for the penstock – which you’ve crossed several times since setting off.
(4) This is a hunting area; a high-visibility vest or a brightly coloured outer layer may be useful in the presence of 4x4s and hunters to ensure you are clearly visible. Signs reading ‘Hunting in progress’ are usually displayed. Make yourself noticeable and ask for permission to continue.
- This track, which stays on the grassy ridge facing due north, offers magnificent scenery throughout the steady climb. Keep heading north. Pass an electrified fence and arrive at Pla de la Faja, where the track then turns north-west. On the right-hand side, a sign is affixed to a very large boulder.
(5) Note the semi-buried sheepfold (Cortal Allosat) on the left, nearly fifty metres long. The slate roof is magnificent. The entrance has been beautifully rebuilt using dry stone and is closed by a padlocked gate (observed on 15 December 2024). Please do not climb onto the roof. Thank you.
150 m further on, continue to the right and you will come out onto a wide track suitable for vehicles.
(6) At this crossroads, at an altitude of around 1,360 m, cross the electric fence – making sure to close it behind you – and head left, due west, along the track. There are beautiful views here too. After 2 km, you’ll reach another track at a broken wooden gate.
Yellow markings
(7) Turn left onto this track towards the Refuge de Saint-Guillem. Higher up on the right are the chapel and a house, both private, and at the side of the track is a large abandoned building.
(8) In season, the Refuge de Sant-Guillem offers accommodation, food and drinks. Very warm welcome.
Go round the refuge on the left-hand side or via the steel staircase and rejoin the yellow markings, which are in good condition. Head down this path. Pass the arboretum. Cross two ‘còrrecs’ (ridges). Make sure you close the electric fences properly. Take care when crossing the second ‘còrrec’; the path is very rutted and requires a degree of caution.
(9) Before the farm equipment storage building, near a set of weather stations, turn right onto a path and, after two sharp bends, join the D74.
Turn right onto this road and, 200 m further on, you will reach the car park (S/E).
Visorando Member
Difficult 
