Piló de Belmaig from Arles-sur-Tech

At the entrance to Arles-sur-Tech, turn left at the roundabout onto Avenue de Las Indis. After 300 m, stop at the second car park on the left. A market hall stands in the middle of this large car park. It is next to the coach park.

(S/E) From the car park, head due south, running alongside the coach park on your right, along Rue du 14 Juillet 1789.
Yellow markings may help you. After 120 m, turn right, heading due west. On your right are the remains of the old iron ore processing furnaces. Join the main street.
Turn left and head slightly uphill. The street curves in a semicircle, turning to the right. Pass the first two streets on your left.
Turn left at the third street, at a square with a bakery, Rue du Barri d'Amunt. (Before the altitude of 289)
Follow the yellow markings. The road heads south-west towards a ford to cross the Tech (280 m). Head towards the leisure area on the right bank of the Tech.

(1) Fork in the road. Head left, due south-east, following the yellow markings very closely. Cross a fenced-off area via a designated passage. Continue along the right bank of the Tech for 200 m.

(2) Fork in the path. Turn right and head up a very steep slope through the forest.
Caution: From this point onwards, the climb is steep, almost constant, and has a gradient of 20%.
Head due south. Cross a track (altitude 342). Continue straight ahead through the forest, heading due south-east.

(3) Fork in the path. Turn left, continuing the steep climb. Look out for signs and yellow markings. The path then heads due south. Cross the La Coma stream at around 770 m. Follow the yellow markings closely. Ignore the faint paths on the ground. The path to follow is very clearly marked on the ground and climbs steeply through the forest.

(4) Junction of track and path. Head straight ahead. Continue climbing. Look out for signs and yellow markings. Continue climbing steeply.

(5) Fork in the path. Turn left. Look for signs and yellow markings. The path is steep and clearly marked on the ground. The path now heads due east. Continue this ascent. Do not turn right until you reach an open area.
Caution: Make sure you follow the yellow markings.

(6) Crossroads (altitude 1020m). Turn right heading due south-east, now climbing very steeply through shorter vegetation. This is a lovely spot for a break; the scenery is magnificent.
Please note: the IGN route is incorrect. You must follow the yellow markings.

(7) Crossroads (altitude 1175m). Turn left and then immediately right, heading due south, continuing the very steep climb towards the summit. The path is very clearly marked on the ground.

(8) Fork in the path at around 1235 m. Turn right, continuing to climb steeply, due south. The summit with the flag is your landmark.

(9) Piló de Belmaig (altitude 1281 m). End of the hike. Magnificent summit with a stele and a Catalan flag at the top. Wooden post marked ‘1000 m’. Stunning 360° views of the Pyrénées-Orientales. Well worth the effort.
A lovely spot for a well-deserved break. If it’s windy, you can take shelter a little further down.
For the return journey, turn back and head for the previous junction.

(8). Head right, due north-east, descending steeply along the GRP^®. Red and yellow markings.
The descent is just as challenging as the ascent due to the steep gradient.
On the way back, wooden posts mark altitudes every 200 metres of elevation gain.
The route follows the ridge and is safe. The view during the descent is magnificent. You emerge onto a small open area overlooking the^GR®10. Ignore the overgrown path branching off to the left.

(10) Crossroads (altitude 902) at Coll de Paracolls. Descend onto the^GR®10. Turn left, following the red and white markings. The path heads due north-west.
After 300 m, at around 820 m, ignore the path branching off to the right. Follow the^GR®10, marked in red and white. The descent is very steep. Take your time and stop for breaks. There are clear areas where you can do so.
You’ll come out onto a small road (altitude 332 m). Cross this small road twice. Follow the red and white markings carefully. Cross the Ravin des Baillas stream.
You will arrive at the Tech (270m). Cross the Tech via a long footbridge. Turn left, following the red and white markings, and head to the car park (S/E).

The gradient is 20%. But up there, the 360° view of the Pyrénées-Orientales is magnificent.
The estimated 5 hours is a bit tight. It takes at least 3 hours to climb to the summit due to the gradient.
This hike is not recommended after heavy rain. It is dangerous in the event of rain or a storm.
Doing it in the opposite direction to the description allows for a longer and therefore more comfortable descent.

This is a mid-mountain area. So, as you’d expect, you’ll need: rain gear, water, snacks, route map, description, map, GPS, camera, good walking boots, a walking stick.

Between (1) and (2) Non-potable water source. If urgently needed, a water filter is mandatory for safety reasons.
There is a large picnic area here, with tables.

Please ensure you close gates, fences and other barriers along the route properly.

Arles-sur-Tech
Iron mines of the Southern Canigo