Montalba-le-Château walks

First stage of the Mas Malet loop to the Refuge des Cortalets. Ascent to Les Cortalets via little-used paths, marked with directional posts and in very good condition (as of July 2025). This is an alternative route through the forest, sheltered from the heat and, above all, with a steady climb and beautiful views. The only drawback is the access at the start via a very rough track that has been resurfaced (as of July 2025) up to Coll del Forn. After that, driving slowly, you can reach the car park without any problems. Obviously, a car with low ground clearance is likely to scrape.

This two-day hike, with an overnight stay at the Refuge des Cortalets, allows for one or more variations each day, depending on the weather or your needs. The hike is fully signposted. The suggested variations remain on signposted paths or tracks with no risk of getting lost. In addition, on thefirst day (upon arrival) or thesecond day (before descending),you can climb the Pic del Canigó (round trip from the refuge). Access is described at the beginning of the description for the first stage.

Very nice circuit that will take you over grazing areas that are still used. The last part of the circuit overhangs the gorges of Galamus.

From the village, a climb to the foot of the Château de Quéribus on well-marked paths. See: practical information. The descent is quite steep, after waypoint (5). It's quite possible to do this circuit the other way round, and climb from waypoint (6) to (5).

A hike from a pretty little village on the Sentier Cathare GR®367, the GR®36, and the GRP® Tour des Fenouillèdes.A sense of direction is required. The reward comes at the summit, with its 360° panorama.On the way back, a visit to a large and beautiful cave is very interesting.

A superb heritage trail starting from Coll Palomeres, plunging into the heart of the industrial golden age of the Pyrénées-Orientales. The route passes through ancient mining ruins, evidence of a rich past, before reaching the imposing Tour de Batère, offering spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

A 16 km loop that passes under the walls of Peyrepertuse Castle, with views of Quéribus Castle and the Quille Massif. Most of the hike is in the woods. Finally, the Verdouble Gorges with their pools and waterfalls offer a refreshing and relaxing break.

When the valley was unsafe, the men would retreat to the heights. The hills surrounding the Boulzane and Agly valleys are dotted with prestigious strongholds (Puylaurens, Fenouillet, Quéribus, etc.). And getting there was no easy task, as the Gorges de Saint-Jaume demonstrate.

This loop takes you to the Refuge des Cortalets (manned) at the foot of Canigou, passing by the Abri du Pinatell on the way there and the Refuge de Prat-Cabrera on the way back. This less frequented route is longer but gentler. The magnificent landscapes along the way are full of charm. The return, which is steeper, offers fewer views of the Canigou massif. We really enjoyed this version. From the Refuge des Cortalets, you can make a round trip to the summit of Canigou.

The hike is mainly on beautiful trails, mostly wooded and dotted with various information panels. There are many beautiful landscapes. Unfortunately, two chapels are closed along the route (20 April 2023), but there is an old well and an information panel explaining how the forest landscape is maintained through traditional pastoral farming.This hike is called the Iron Trail, used by the Romans to transport iron from the Batère mines. It passes through the pretty hamlet of Els Hostalets.This hike can be done by mountain bike.

Second stage of the Mas Malet loop to the Refuge des Cortalets. Return (descent) to Mas Malet via little-used paths, marked with directional posts (as of July 2025). Allow around 5 hours for the walk. The GPX track may prove very useful in places.Please note: classified as difficult, with a descent of over 1,500 m, but sheltered from the heat and offering beautiful views and refuges. The only drawback is undoubtedly the climb back up to follow the beautiful Chemin des Muletiers from La Mouline (15). There is an alternative route that avoids this by descending via the track. Another more radical alternative is to descend only via the track from (9) to (E).

This is a beautiful round-trip hike that can be done in summer as it takes place mostly in the woods and on the northern slope for the most part. The trail markings, which were recently redone (PR® Yellow), make it easy to follow the path from Taulis to the Col de Formentera. The Tour de Batère, at the end of the hike, crowns the outing with beautiful 360° views.

This is an alternative way to the Tour de Tautavel from Cases-de-Pène. Advantage: sheltered from the tramontana wind. Disadvantage: sunny in summer.

A getaway to the Catalan Corbières region, where you can discover Tautavel and its interesting heritage.

A day hike from Corneilla-de-Conflent. The total elevation gain is approximately 785 m.Do not underestimate this hike. The slope is very steep from the start.From Coll de Juell (6) to the fork (7), the balcony path allows you to enjoy the landscape of the Canigó massif. The path to Ribera de Fillols and up to the track is very beautiful.The green path from Coll de Milleres to Fillols and then the descent to Corneilla are very pleasant.The GPX track may be necessary in some places.

What could be more surprising than visiting a chapel built by human hands, completely isolated on a seemingly impassable rock face, with a huge cave overlooking it, also equipped with an altar forming another chapel, this one natural and even larger than the previous one!On the way up, there is a smaller cave. Both caves are completely safe. With a torch, you can explore them more fully...From up there, you'll get a breathtaking view of the Têt Valley, the surrounding valleys and the Canigou.

This is a good, challenging hike, mostly off the beaten track, along ancient paths in the Sant-Pere massif. At the foot of Roc Campanya/Campagna, you will discover an incredible view of the Têt and Rotja valleys. There is a 180° view with the 2,784-metre-high Canigou in the south.

Roc Campanyà or Campagnia rises to an altitude of 1,134 metres, just above the Mas de Lastourg campsite in the Têt Valley, very close to Villefranche-de-Conflent. Its pointed, aggressive silhouette and the chaos of the Sant-Pere massif on which it is perched suggest that it is inaccessible without climbing equipment... But it's not. With a good pace and a good sense of direction, hikers can reach the summit in just 3 hours.Read the comments carefully before setting off on this route. Don't hesitate to turn back. There is a way out of the route between (10) and (5): return via the Vallon des Horts, a hike described here on visorando. The point (10) on this route corresponds to the point (4) on the other route.

From Padern, climb up to the castle, cross the Pas de Massac and the Pas de la Serre.Then there is a superb passage along the ridge to reach the Roc de la Capéliane. Next, follow the tracks, with beautiful scenery, to descend to a discreet path that climbs back up along the Ruisseau de Grazels. Back at the crossroads of the two loops, cross the Pas de la Goutine to return to the village.This circuit may be considered quite difficult by some people.The GPX track is necessary at various points to confirm your position, particularly at (12) and (13).It is possible to do only part of this circuit. *

Comment gagner Villefranche-de-Conflent depuis Lastourg sans emprunter la dangereuse N116, qui n'a aucune circulation piétonne de prévue ?Petite découverte d'un circuit alternatif le long de la Têt !Attention, cette randonnée qui emprunte un itinéraire partiellement sur le terrain d'ERDF (non clôturé), se fait à vos risques et périls !

This short hike of just over 7 km takes you along the banks of the Canal de Jando (or "Rec Nou"), an abandoned irrigation canal that now serves as a footpath.The unmarked trail is located on the south side of the Têt valley and offers a sunny 2.5-hour walk or 1.5-hour run on suitable sections, close to the campsite, providing hikers with an alternative to longer hikes that require a car.

To get from the Lastourg campsite to Serdinya without taking the main road, there is a charming path that runs alongside the Têt river.Please note that crossing the campsite is not permitted, as it is private property!

This is a short hike in the mountains above Serdinya, starting from Villefranche-de-Conflent and ending at the fountains of Les Horts, an abandoned village in ruins. The hike follows the old village access path, known as the "Chemin des Horts à Villefranche" in the Napoleonic land registry, although it is in very poor condition. The landscape is typical of the Catalan Pyrenees: mountains, yet with Mediterranean buildings and vegetation.

A beautiful, refreshing family hike with three stunning waterfalls, including the Cascade des Anglais as a reward.

Roc Campanyà rises to an altitude of 1,134 metres, just above the Mas de Lastourg campsite in the Têt Valley, very close to Villefranche-de-Conflent. Breathtaking views of the Têt Valley, the Rotja Valley, the Fillols Valley and the Catalan giant, the Canigou. With a sheer drop of 834 metres, it seems inaccessible... yet it is!

This half-day hike, far from the beaten track of Catalonia and the marked trails, takes you to the heights of Serdinya in the secret territory of wild boars and chamois. You will pass through the abandoned village of Les Horts. Magnificent landscapes, superb views and tranquillity guaranteed!

A short hike in the mountains above Serdinya to the abandoned village of Les Horts.This is a typical landscape of the Catalan Pyrenees: mountains, yet with Mediterranean buildings and vegetation.

It's not the most interesting route in the massif, but it's the shortest way to quickly reach the summit of the famous site that became legendary in 2012, the Pech de Bugarach, the mysterious highest point of the Corbières massif, a foothill of the Pyrenees and a landmark for griffon vultures, which you're sure to spot.

Second stage of the: Loop from the Refuge des Conques to the Refuge de Mariailles Mountain hike with a permanent view of Pla Guillem at Porteilla des Avets Classified as difficult: open terrain, paths sometimes with old or no markings, steep slopes in places. See practical information. Allow 6 hours of sustained walking.

This two-day hike, with an overnight stay at the Refuge de Mariailles, allows for shorter variations each day depending on the weather or individual needs. This hike is not fully signposted. However, the suggested variations allow you to stay on the marked trails. Two days in the mountains, from one refuge to another. It is possible to start from the Mariailles Refuge, but add 2 hours from the Coll de Jou to climb up to it.

This is a relatively short, intense loop route at altitude, climbing Pech du Bugarach from the village via La Fenêtre.