Puig Sallfort and Madeloc Tower from Col de Banyuls

In Banyuls-sur-Mer, ignore the first street on the right. Do not cross the river that flows into the sea. At the roundabout, turn right onto the D86 towards the post office and the police station. Pass under the railway bridge. Immediately afterwards, leave the D86 and continue straight ahead (do not follow the signs for the police station). Follow the signs for Col de Banyuls. The road overlooks the river on the left. Pass the Parer farmhouse and continue up this road. Cross a stream over a road bridge (stele). Turn right after this bridge. The road has been completely resurfaced. Pass through a small wooded area. The road is then in very good condition until you reach the Coll de Banyuls.

(S/E) At Col de Banyuls, a sign points to Pic d'Estela. Head towards the refuge, north, north-west. A well-marked path passes to the right of the refuge and climbs very steeply up the ridge. Follow the border ridge, using the yellow markings. Pass altitudes 490 and 542. Pass Pic Estela, Coll de les Eres and then altitudes 781 and 902. From this point, the path disappears into the summer pastures. Follow the cairns. It is possible to stay closer to the ridge by following the yellow markings.
There is a 981m geodetic marker; see practical information for an alternative route.

(1) Now follow the red and white marked^GR®10. Head right, due east, following the markings.
Note: a spring is indicated on a Plexiglas sign; there is sometimes a trickle of water early in the day. Pass the altitude of 882 and continue downhill on the^GR®10to the fork at 554.

(2) Turn right towards the north-east, along the Chemin de l'Eau (^GR®10).
Note: you can refill your water bottles by turning left towards the Fontaine d'en Vergès.
Continue along the^GR®10, which descends slightly. Water collected from several springs flows beneath your feet. You will come to another fork at elevation 410.

(3) Continue right, following the^GR®10(do not descend left towards El Rimbau). You will reach a crossroads of tracks and paths at Coll de Vallauria, at an elevation of 416 metres.

(4) Ignore the paths to the left and right, and the track. Continue straight ahead on the^GR®10, which climbs steeply through low vegetation to Coll de Formigo, at an altitude of 480 metres. See practical information for an alternative route.

(5) Before crossing over to the other side, leave the^GR®10and find a very steep path on the left. Follow the yellow markings.
Caution: this climb requires great care and effort. See practical information for an alternative route.
Arrive below the Balcó de Madeloc (Vauban fortification). Turn left onto the old small road and head for the Madeloc Tower at elevation 656. This is a beautiful spot to admire the Côte Vermeille from Argelès to Cerbère.
Now it's time to think about the descent.

(6) Head north on the gravel path, marked in yellow. Follow this comfortable path carefully. Do not cut the corners. Thank you. Descend towards Coll de Tallafero (taillefer) at a crossroads of tracks and paths at an altitude of 465 metres.
It is clear that Vauban was active in this area of the Pyrénées Orientales. Indeed, a little higher up is the Taillefer battery.

(7) Turn left, heading south-west. The path descends very steeply for 300 metres to a fork at an elevation of 392 metres.

(8) There is no sign for Coll de Vallauria. Turn left onto the well-marked water path that heads south, climbing slightly. Return to the crossroads on the way to Coll de Vallauria at an elevation of 416 metres.

(4) Take the flat track opposite, heading south-west. No markings. Pass a valley where there is a firefighting cistern at an elevation of 360 metres. Shortly afterwards, leave the track that climbs to the right. Pass another valley where there is a water storage basin at an elevation of 328 metres. You will come to a fork in a large right-hand bend at an elevation of 350 metres. See practical information for an alternative route.

(9) Turn left, heading due east, onto a narrower but well-marked track. No markings. This track descends slightly and arrives at Coll de l'Alzina at a crossroads of tracks at an elevation of 240 metres.

(10) Turn right, heading due south on the track, which continues to descend in hairpin bends. Ignore the adjacent tracks. After elevation 138, the track climbs. Pass some hollows, a basin on the right at elevation 260, under a small building in good condition, then a cistern. Join the tarmac road that leads to Coll de Banyuls.

(11) Continue right, climbing the road for 200 m until you reach a fork. Look for a steep path on the right.

(12) There are cairns. Join a wide, congested path that stays below the road and leads to Coll de Banyuls (S/E).

During the November 2017 hike, the water points indicated were dry.
This hike should be undertaken outside of very hot periods.
Do not forget to bring at least 2 litres of water.

This is a physically demanding hike that requires a minimum level of fitness, as some sections are steep.

It is possible to shorten this hike.
From (1): you can turn back and descend to Coll de Banyuls.
From (4): you can reach Coll de Banyuls by taking the flat track heading south-west for 5 km.
From (5): you can continue along the^GR®10. Just before you reach Coll des Gascons, turn left and climb steeply. Take the small road closed to traffic and climb up to the Tour de Madeloc.
From (9): you can continue along the flat track.

This is a mid-mountain area, although it is located by the sea.
So, as you would expect, you will need: rain gear, water, snacks, water, route map, description, map, GPS, camera, good walking shoes, and possibly a walking stick.
Note: avoid hiking in strong winds.

The history, monuments and economy of the Côte Vermeille.
The Côte Vermeille