Roc de Frausa - Col del Pou de la Neu - Pic de Les Salines from Pla Bulat

(S/E) Pla Bulat (640 m) Turn right and follow the fence along the edge of the forest. Simply follow the path (yellow markings).

(1) Col d'en Llemosì (690 m). Fork in the road and path. Turn right onto the D13f road. Follow this road for 300 m. There is a signpost.

(2) Fork in the road and paths (720 m). Turn right after the drainage pipe, following the yellow markings. Ignore the first path on the right marked with a yellow cross. Climb steeply up this path through the forest. Pass the altitude of 773 m. Cross various tracks. Follow the yellow markings.

(3) Road and path junction (965 m). Go straight ahead, crossing the road. Climb up the path.
Another road and path junction. Continue straight ahead, crossing the road again. Climb up the path. Follow the yellow markings carefully. You will arrive at a large esplanade (car park) where you will find the Frontfreda fountain (1021 m), barbecues and benches.

(4) Crossroads of roads and paths (1030 m). Continue straight ahead along the path, climbing into the forest, heading south, following the yellow markings. Pass the altitude of 1049 m. Continue along the well-marked path. You will arrive at the pass.

(5) Coll dels Cirerers (1015 m). Crossroads of tracks and paths. Turn right and follow the^GR®10, marked in red and white. Follow the^GR®10through the Campans Forest.
Please note: climbing or descending via the^PR® to Pic des Salines has been prohibited since 10 October 2020.

(6) Fork (1000 m). Turn left and follow the^GR®10. Pass the point at an altitude of 1009 m. Continue on the^GR®10. Pass several thalwegs. Pass close to a very old ice well, under a cross embedded in the rock, on your left. Continue climbing. Join a track suitable for vehicles. Turn left onto this track and follow it for a few metres. Please note: follow the red and white markings of^{the GR®10 trail}.

(7) Coll del Pou de la Neu (1240m). Crossroads of tracks and paths. Turn right then left onto the path, climbing through the forest. Red and white^GR®10markings. Continue along the^GR®10towards Roc de Frausa (Roc de France).

(8) Fork (1330 m). Turn left and make a 180° turn.

(9) Pass by an old ice well. Continue to the right along the^GR®10.

(10) Fork (1370 m). Go left. Leave the^GR®10. Follow the yellow markings. Climb up, following the border ridge below.

(11) Arrive at Roc de France (Roc de Frausa) 1,421 m. Descend slightly.

(12) Pass near del Comptador and climb back up towards the clearly visible relay antennas.

(13) El Moixer (1,443 m). Relay antennas. The area is vast and open. This may be a good place to stop and have a bite to eat. View of the Spanish side and the French Perpignan plain. This is the highest point of the hike.
Do not descend via the small tarmac road. Look for a fairly well-marked path in the right-hand bend. Continue to follow the yellow markings. Pass under Ras Moixer (1,413 m).
The path now descends very steeply through the forest to Coll del Pou de la Neu (1,240 m).
Before the pass: ruins of Pou de la Neu (snow well) on the right.

(7) In the bend, find a path opposite that heads due east on the Spanish side, towards the Refuge des Salines. Descend via this path.
You will arrive at a building that houses a captured spring. Continue towards the very large building and the Refuge des Salines.

(14) Refuge des Salines (1085 m). Crossroads of tracks and paths. Immediately on the left, find a path, marked in yellow, which climbs steeply towards Pic des Salines. Reach the border ridge by climbing steeply, heading due north.

(15) Fork (1240 m). Take the right fork, heading due east, marked in yellow, towards Pic des Salines.

(16) * Please read the practical information
Pic des Salines. (1333 m). Open area with a large concrete block, a mast with two letterboxes and a signpost. A beautiful spot to rest and admire the landscape.
Now you need to descend, following the yellow markings. The path descends steeply, heading north-east. Simply follow the yellow markings. Cut across a grassy track. Then follow this track as it descends.
Fork (1010 m). Go straight ahead. Leave the^GR®10on your right. Arrive at the junction from the outward journey.

No other option currently available on 17 February 2022.
(16) Turn around.

(15) Continue straight ahead along the border ridge via Pic del Pou de la Neu (1288 m).

(7) Turn right and descend via the same route as on the way up.

(5). Coll dels Cirerers (1015 m). Crossroads of tracks and paths. Turn right onto a track. No more signposts. Continue along this track, which climbs towards the end before joining the road.

(17) Crossroads of roads and paths (1010m). Memorial stele. Continue straight ahead along the road, which remains flat. Leave the road that climbs to the Fontfreda fountain on your left.
Reach a fork in the road and track (965 m). Turn right onto the road and continue for 50 m.

(3) At the crossroads, turn left and follow the yellow markings. Follow the path you took on the way up in the opposite direction. Arrive at Col d'en Llemosì.

(1) Turn left and follow the path in the opposite direction. You will find your vehicles at Pla Bulat (S/E).

* The Vallespir Community of Municipalities informs us that the trail between Pic des Salines and Coll dels Cireres is closed. This is due to the owner of the land in this area wishing to create a private hunting reserve and therefore prohibit access.
Trail information 66

From Céret, in the town centre, pass in front of the sub-prefecture and follow the signs for Fontaine de Fonfreda (D13f). The road is winding and narrow, so caution is advised. After about 9 kilometres (from the sub-prefecture), you will arrive at an open area called Pla Bulat (640 m) where you will see a hunter's hut on your right, in a meadow. There are also signposts and markers.

It is possible to start the hike from higher up between (S/E) and (4).

Water is available at the Fontfreda (France) and Salines (Spain) fountains.

This is a mid-mountain area. So, as you would expect, you will need: rain gear, water, snacks, route map, description, map, GPS, camera, good walking shoes and possibly a walking stick.
Note: avoid hiking in strong winds.
This hike requires a minimum level of fitness, as some sections are steep.
Be careful of snow or ice on the north-facing slope from (5) to (10).

Variations:
The hike can start from the points (1) or (4), which are accessible by car.
At (7), you can descend directly to Les Salines or continue along the ridge to (15).

Céret