Snow wells – Coll de les Arques, de Saleig, de l'Aspic from Serrabona

Coming from Perpignan, at the end of the dual carriageway (N116), at the roundabout (car-sharing area on the right), turn left towards Bouleternère (D16) and head to the village centre. Set off opposite, towards Boule-d’Amont and the Priory of Serrabona (D618). After 7 km, at the recycling bins, turn right and drive 4 km towards the priory (D84). You must park in the large car park before the building.

Off the marked route

(S/E) Continue along the small tarmac road to the large open area in front of the Priory of Serrabona. Climb the few stone steps on the right and, after about twenty metres, you’ll reach the first fork.

(1) Turn right and, before reaching the signpost, turn right again heading due north, cross a small ditch, and continue along a good path, clearly marked on the ground, above the small tarmac road. Much further on, the path turns due west and descends slightly to reach the Còrrec Gros (large gully). A beautiful spot with old terraces colonised by holm oaks (Alzina).

(2) Cross it and head due north, almost level, for about 500 m. You’ll reach a fork after the path has veered slightly north-west (alt. 610 m). Head up to the left along the path, which is well marked on the ground but difficult to spot at first. Pass above the ruins of Veïnat de Baix (the hamlet of Baix) below on the right.

(3) You will then see numerous cairns; keep heading in the same direction and you will come to a stony track (alt. 630 m).

(4) Follow it to the left, then left again, heading west almost to the end.

(5) Look out for a cairn on the left, at the edge of the forest. Turn left, south-west, onto the correct path marked on the ground. After about 150 metres, reach and go through a steel gate bearing the inscription: Serrabona.

(6) Immediately after, leave the path that continues straight ahead.
- Climb steeply to the left, heading south-west. This is followed by a steep ascent (35%), which is best tackled at a steady pace. Don’t hesitate to take breaks and enjoy the scenery. Much higher up, as you emerge from the forest, you’ll come out onto a pasture that’s more or less overgrown.

(7) Watch out for the unsecured snow pit on the right. No safety barriers: risk of falling. You can get down there by taking the path on the right, which is full of brambles and thorns.
Enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Walk a few metres westwards, then turn sharply left, heading due south, and climb up a good path, very clearly marked on the ground. Follow the ridge more or less. Reach the Roca Roja (red rock).

(8) There is a triangulation point here (altitude 1015m). Then descend in the same direction, still following the very good path, either skirting around or climbing over the various peaks. You will reach a grassy track.

(9) Turn left onto this track and follow it for exactly 140 m to find a path on the left.

(10) Leave the track and follow this path. You will come to a grazed and well-maintained area. Look out for a steel gate on the far left.

White and yellow markings: Volta de Santa Anna.

(11) Go through it and close it behind you, then head right-hand side towards a signpost.
Continue due south, with the electric fence on your right. Climb up to the Pic d’en Serradell (altitude 1027m). Continue on, keeping the fence on your right, until you reach the Coll de les Arques (altitude 1022m). Signpost.

Yellow markings are very scarce

(12) Option to make a short detour of a few metres to the Orri ruins to enjoy the scenery.
A very beautiful spot to stop for lunch.
- Otherwise, head down to the left. The path is not always perfectly maintained at the start. Much further down, you’ll reach Coll se Saleig. Observed in early January 2024: area cleared and brambles removed.

Yellow markings are very sparse or have disappeared following forestry work.

(13) Option for a round trip to a viewpoint: head up towards the electric fence, cross it, and continue for about a hundred metres. Cairns help guide the way through the forest, heading south-east.
- Alternatively, continue along a track heading due east. Yellow markings on a wooden post, but these disappear very quickly: major work has been carried out.
Follow this track and look out for the old paths (marked) that cut across the track’s various bends. Further down, the landmark is a blue van, abandoned for many years, in an unnamed pass with numerous track and path junctions.

(14) Observed in early January 2024: leave the van on your right, cross straight ahead, north-east, across this large area, towards a cairn. Descend into the forest, looking out for a post with an old yellow marker. Further down, join a track.

(15) Follow it to the right for about twenty metres, then turn left onto an old path (marked) which joins this same track at a sharp right-hand bend, at Coll de l'Aspic, opposite a signpost.

(16) Head left, towards Serrabona, through the forest, along a very good path. Once the path turns west, cross the Còrrec de la Corbera (Corbera stream) and continue north-east.

(17) Cross a track suitable for vehicles (altitude 655). Further on, cross the Còrrec d'en Fines and continue north-east to eventually reach the original junction.

(1) Go down the few steps you passed on the way there and turn left onto the small tarmac road, following the reverse route of the outward journey, to reach the car park (S/E).

This is a mid-mountain area: rain and waterproof clothing, snacks, route map, description, map, GPS, camera, good walking shoes, a walking stick.
The various springs have dried up. Observed in early January 2024. A trickle of water to be filtered at (2).
At the priory: picnic area. Car park. Water point (in season). Toilets. Picnic area.
Avoid this hike in strong winds.
In summer, you’ll need to set off early, as the route follows the ridge and is exposed to the sun.

Serrabona Priory
Bouleternère