Pic Marbet via Espira-de-Conflent

A pleasant walk that gets a little challenging towards the end. This section will allow you to discover three villages in Bas Conflent: Espira-de-Conflent, Estoher and Finistret.

Details

3171277
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.01 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 465 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 457 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 722 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 293 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park located after the entrance to the village (on the right of Carrer Major) of Finestret. Small car park and picnic table.

(S/E) From the car park, return to Carrer Major and turn left. You are now on theGR®36, which you will leave when it turns left at the intersection.

(1) Continue along the road towards Espira-de-Conflent until you reach the intersection.

(2) Turn left and further on, rejoin the D55, turning left. Pass a campsite, cross the River Llech and you will come to a fork.

(3) Take the road that climbs 180° to the right to enter the village and continue along the D55a road until you reach the intersection after La Poste.

(4) Turn right onto Cami del Terrefort and continue along it, turning left. Go past the cemetery and continue straight ahead at the junction until you reach a bend that turns left.

(5) Take the track that runs to the right for 300 metres until you reach a small stream. Leave the path along the vineyard.

(6) After 5 metres, on the far left, you will find the start of the canal.
Follow the canal, which will take you directly to the Estoher cemetery and Rue du Moulin.

(7) Continue a few metres straight ahead before turning left to join the D55 and pick up the red and yellow markings ofthe GRP® de la Ronde du Canigou at Place El Raig.

(8) Stay on theGRP® towards Pic Marbet. Go around the church on the right and go down the stairs. Cross the gardens and a track and cross the Llech via a footbridge. Then begin a challenging climb to Pic Marbet, staying on theGRP® and ignoring all side paths.

(9) Leave theGRP® which heads opposite towards Baillestavy and rejoin theGR®36by turning left towards Finestret. Take a track downhill to the intersection at the start.

(1) All you have to do now is turn right to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 300 m - Finestret car park near the - Lentillà (rivière) à finaliser
  2. 1 : km 0.1 - alt. 299 m - GR36 intersection
  3. 2 : km 0.62 - alt. 293 m - Road junction. After the campsite, cross the - Llech (rivière) à finaliser
  4. 3 : km 1.66 - alt. 308 m - Intersection/Route D55a
  5. 4 : km 2.07 - alt. 339 m - Abandoned Route D55a
  6. 5 : km 2.82 - alt. 362 m - Intersection (track on the right)
  7. 6 : km 3.09 - alt. 387 m - Start of the canal. On the left
  8. 7 : km 4.15 - alt. 404 m - Estoher Cemetery
  9. 8 : km 4.4 - alt. 388 m - GRP Ronde du Canigou/Place el Raig
  10. 9 : km 6.7 - alt. 717 m - GR36 - Puig de Marbet (726 m)
  11. S/E : km 10.01 - alt. 300 m - Finestret car park

Notes

Please note that the section between Espira-de-Conflent and Estoher is poorly signposted and poorly maintained.

Worth a visit

Saint-Marie Church in Espira-de-Conflent (listed as a historic monument).
Llech Gorges.
Lake Vinça.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Emilie66
Emilie66
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, consistent with the description and level of difficulty. The village of Estoher is magnificent and the walk through the gardens is very pleasant.
The trail then runs mainly through forest, with shaded sections and some beautiful views. The route is not particularly difficult, just a good climb before reaching the peak. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend this hike.

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Helene
Helene

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely route, somewhat challenging. Best undertaken during warmer weather as most of the hike takes place under oak trees. Follow the route described in the guidebook as the views are more interesting on the way down. As mentioned, the hike is poorly signposted at the start. You need to return to the road for about 400 metres before taking the path on the left.

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luctitine
luctitine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful and pleasant hike with lovely chapels. Well worth seeing. It's a shame they were closed, but the landscape was magnificent and peaceful, perfect for a family outing. No particular difficulties. I recommend it. 9 km, 2 hours 50 minutes.

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Jean-Claude Rivesaltes
Jean-Claude Rivesaltes

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

We made a mistake at the start and did the hike backwards. The direct climb up to Marbet in yesterday's heat was not easy. We made a round trip to the Pic des Critères. The least interesting part is between Pézilla de Conflent and Finestret. There is a small spot worth seeing between Pézilla and Estoher above the canal.

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sofb66
sofb66

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The start of the route is a bit boring, but the three villages you pass through are very pretty and the end of the hike, after Estoher, is very interesting! We were left with a very good impression. I recommend it!

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lallaire
lallaire

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk, mostly shaded, but it is indeed difficult to find the start of the canal...

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Corbi
Corbi

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Difficulties finding the start of the hike (arriving via Vinça), which gave us the opportunity to visit the village of Finestret! Disappointing start to the hike on tarmac in the heat. Interesting from No. 5 onwards. A large part is unmarked or even completely unmarked (faded pieces of tape).
Viewpoint a little disappointing.

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ODNAR1819MW
ODNAR1819MW

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 07, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, shaded walk, enjoyable at this time of year.

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CabriDeL'aude
CabriDeL'aude
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, thank you for this route, the hike was very beautiful.
A clarification seems necessary at landmark (5) to reach the irrigation canal.

At the left-hand bend at the end of the vineyard, cross the embankment at the top, straight through the grass to reach the canal.
An ideal shaded walk in hot weather.

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