Mas Llençó - Trauc del Cavall - La Serra from Vingrau

From Perpignan, head towards Foix on the D117, drive past the airport, arrive at the Espera-de-l'Agly roundabout and follow the motorway signs on the D18. After the big right-hand bend on this road, turn left towards Vingrau on the D12. In Vingrau, follow signs for the town hall - Stade des Olivèdes and its car park after the church on the right. There is a portico and two EV charging stations.

(S/E) Exit the car park through the portico and turn left onto Rue de la Millère, going around the church and Place de la République on the right. Join a cross street (D12).

(1) Follow it to the left on the left-hand side. Cross the Còrrec de la Millera via the road bridge, leave a track on the left with a hiking signpost and continue for another 100 m until you reach the right-hand bend on the D12. Signpost: Trauc del Cavall - Vingrau.

Red-yellow GRP®markings and yellow PR® markings

(2) Leave the D12 and head opposite along a rough track. Climb several hairpin bends. Beautiful views. Higher up, the path levels out and reaches a fork.

(3) Continue straight ahead and, further on, make a wide first turn right then left to reach a crossroads.

(4) Turn right onto a track and follow it continuously. Ignore all the paths and tracks on either side. Look for broken tiles on the ground when the track climbs slightly, which confirms you are on the right path, and you will arrive at a fork.

(5) Continue straight ahead on the same track.

(6) The IGN map is inaccurate; there is no crossroads. Look for the red-yellow and yellow markings on a stone on the ground, ignore a faint path branching off to the right and continue straight ahead on the same track until you reach a fork in the track as it curves to the left.

(7) Caution! Look for the red-yellow and yellow markings, leave the track on the right and continue straight ahead, north-west, on a path for 100 m. Here too, the IGN map is inaccurate. The path on the left does not exist. Continue on the north-west path until you reach a cross track (elevation 294).

(8) Continue straight ahead along the path, which curves to the right and arrives at a fork. Pay attention, as it is easy to get confused .

Yellow PR® markings

(9) Leave the GRP® and turn right onto a track with sparse yellow markings. Join a road (D39).

(10) There is little traffic, but remain cautious. Turn left onto the left-hand shoulder for about 200 metres and look for a mountain bike signpost on the right-hand side of the road.

(11) Carefully cross the D39 and take a dirt track that runs alongside the road for a few metres, then heads north-east. Further on, make a sharp right-left turn.

(12) Continue straight ahead, still on the main track, heading north-east. After a right-hand bend, the track ends.

(13) Continue straight ahead on a path that follows it. Very quickly, this path deteriorates. Descend quickly to the bottom of Còrrec de les Conques.

(14) Cross it and turn completely right onto a stony path that climbs up the other side. After a sharp left turn, you will arrive at a flat area, heading northeast. Further on, in a small area with a pile of stones, turn left and join the bend of a cross track.

(15) Turn right at the bend in the track and follow it to a strange fork. The IGN map is inaccurate.

(16) Turn left, walk along a field on your right, and much further on, you will come to a wide cross track. Pay attention.
^1st option: see Practical Information.
(17) Make the first turn left then right before the yellow cross to follow a path. Pass Còrrec de Cassanova to reach the ruins of Mas Llençó and a cross-country track. Recent yellow markings.
^2nd variant: see Practical Information.

(18) Turn left onto the grassy track and continue along the rough path that follows it. Climb steeply towards the ridge line made up of rock faces. At the top, after a few hairpin bends, you will finally reach Trauc del Cavall (hole, horse passage) at an altitude of 415 m. There is a beautiful view from this very steep spot. Take care just after this passage.
^3rd variant: see Practical Information.

(19) Leave the path that descends opposite and turn completely to the right, looking for and following the very good, recent yellow markings and cairns, as there are many small ascents and descents to stay below the ridge. You will arrive at a kind of pass at an altitude of 510 m.

(20) Facing the rock face, look for very clear yellow markings on the rock face and descend slightly to the right along the rock face, which is now on your left. After about 20 metres, on almost flat ground, another very clear yellow marking confirms that you are on the right path. Continue for another ten metres or so on flat ground along the rock face and cross a safe passage on the left. Continue and rejoin the path on the ridge, which is still very well marked. Very beautiful scenery. Stay on this path without trying to go up or down and reach the high point and its vast stony area (elevation 533).

(21) A beautiful spot for a well-deserved break. Markings are present. Leave the path that branches off to the left towards a large cairn (yellow cross) and continue straight ahead, downhill, on a narrow path that is very well marked on the ground. Descend into the Còrrec dels Collets (talweg of the small passes). After a long stretch through low vegetation, you will arrive at the Cabane - Refuge de Vingrau (clean at the beginning of January 2026). A beautiful wooded spot for another break. Note the window in the rock at the top of the rock face on the left, opposite the refuge.

(22) Continue the descent on the narrow and sometimes steep path.

(23) Cross the valley to continue on the right bank along a narrow path that is difficult at the start. Descend steeply as you approach the village, then turn left and you will come out onto Rue Courteline. Go around the Church of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption on the left, then descend to the right via the numerous steps. Reach a cross street (Rue Rameau), follow it to the right and, at the end, take a passage under the houses. Continue straight ahead along the street, then first turn right then left and follow Rue Victor Hugo. At the bottom, opposite No. 36, turn right and rejoin the route you have already taken.
There are, of course, other ways to reach the car park while strolling through this charming village.

(1) Turn left and follow the same route as on the way there to reach the car park (S/E).

Variants:
(17)^First option: head directly to Vingrau by turning right onto the track/road.
(18)^Second option to reach Vingrau directly by turning right onto the track/road.
(19)^Third option: turn back to Mas Llençó and head directly to Vingrau opposite on the track/road.

(S/E) If necessary, there are other car parks: the cemetery car park on Rue des Rameaux, the arboretum car park along the D9 (Maréchal Joffre) and even opposite this car park, at the cooperative winery.
(17) and (18), if in doubt, short on time or in strong winds, turn right onto a track-road to the D12. Follow it to the left until you reach the car park where you started.
From (19), Trauc del cavall, if necessary, turn back to Mas Llençó and follow the track opposite to the D12, etc.
The GPX track is accurate and corresponds to that of OSM. The IGN seems to be outdated and differs in places, particularly at (20).
At this point, facing the rock face, do not descend to the left via an old path, but look for a very clear yellow mark on the rock face and descend to the right along the rock face, which is now on your left.

Vingrau

History of the village