The Puymorens or Pimorent mines

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A pleasant, family-friendly route leading to the historic mining site of Puymorens, with stunning panoramic views throughout the walk.

Details

n°51722302
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.15 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 236 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 234 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,133 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,915 m
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Photos

The mine buildings

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at Col de Puymorens.

(S/E) Head west and take the track that climbs gently to the right. Follow it all the way, ignoring any side paths. Fantastic views of the resort’s peaks. Pass a tiny lake and, a few metres further on, reach a junction.

(1) Follow the track to the right and continue along it until you reach a memorial stone.

(2) Take the path to the right beneath the memorial. Views of the Pas de la Case road. In the left-hand bend, new views of the surrounding peaks open up and the Puymorens mines come into view as you continue, before reaching the destination.

(3) Do not enter the buildings. Enjoy this historic site, with information panels provided by the “Pyrénées Cerdagne” community of communes and magnificent views, before retracing your steps back to the Col de Puymorens and finishing this pleasant heritage walk by returning to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,915 m - Col de Puymorens
  2. 1 : km 2.08 - alt. 2,075 m - Junction
  3. 2 : km 2.95 - alt. 2,131 m - Memorial
  4. 3 : km 4.07 - alt. 2,099 m - Puymorens Mines website - Mines de Pimorent (Porté-Puymorens)
  5. S/E : km 8.15 - alt. 1,915 m - Puymorens Pass

Notes

Watch the hike on video via the following link: https://youtu.be/YBz9YPn_iZo

This route can be completed on snowshoes even when the Porté Puymorens ski resort is open.

Worth a visit

For those who wish, after the Puymorens mines, it is possible to continue to Pas de la Case and Estany de Font Negre (marked route).

Lake Estanyol starting from La Vignole.

Fontfrède viewpoint starting from Estanyol.

Reviews and comments

4.9 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
martine.bourgeois@hotmail.fr
martine.bourgeois@hotmail.fr

Haven't done this hike yet
Perhaps in spring 2026

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BARRABES
BARRABES

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in one direction in beautiful weather. We set off from Pas de la Casa to point 1. The starting point is located near the first car park on the left as you arrive. It is clearly marked by a sign indicating Col de Puymorens 8Km. The route is entirely marked in yellow. The mine buildings are abandoned, and reading the explanatory panels about their history is very moving. At point 1, we stopped for lunch in the shade of a shepherd's hut. There are many animals to admire, not to mention the magnificent view of the Pic de la Mina and the Col de Puymorens. This route is suitable for families!

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Irène
Irène
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful, easy hike with magnificent 360° views. The explanations about the old iron mine are interesting. There are lots of horses and their foals in the surrounding area and in the buildings! If there is no storm forecast, continue on to Pas de la Case and return.

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martine.bourgeois@hotmail.fr
martine.bourgeois@hotmail.fr

tour planned for early July

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User 25818272

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice easy walk as indicated with magnificent scenery. The comments were very reliable.

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Les zamis
Les zamis

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent mining ruin to explore after a pleasant stroll

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