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Follow the D117 towards Foix, cross the lower part of the village of Cases-de-Pène, pass under the Fenouillèdes narrow-gauge railway bridge and continue for about 500 m. At the start of the wide right-hand bend, turn left carefully to reach a small shaded car park that can accommodate around ten vehicles.
YellowPR® markings and signposts
(S/E) Head back towards the D117, then turn right onto the Notre-Dame de Pène trail. This trail, which is blocked at the start by a boulder, is marked by oratories and climbs up a small valley planted with cacti to quickly reach a fork marked by a directional post.
(1) Turn right towards the hermitage of Nostra Senyora de Pena, which you will reach after a few hairpin bends and 51 steps.
(2) Take the time to enjoy the magnificent view of Cases-de-Pène, the Agly valley and the Torre del Far, which stands out clearly. Turn back to the fork.
(1) Turn right and follow the markings. Ignore a path on the right (yellow cross) and continue uphill to an imposing cairn.
No markings
(3) Turn right onto a path that runs along the very steep northern slope of Roc Rodon. This pretty path, which has gentle climbs and two very steep sections, turns left further on to cross a rocky crevice where you will need to use your hands. You will come out onto a stony track not far from the westernmost antenna. Follow it to the left, then turn right towards a small signpost with a simple black arrow on a yellow background.
Yellow PR®°° markings and signposts
(4) Turn right to follow the long ridge, which offers exceptional views on both sides. On your left, you will see the Canigou massif and the Albères mountain range; on your right, the successive ridges of the Corbières and the Agly valley. Continue to the junction of the path leading to Calce.
(5) Turn left, following the signposts. You will come to a tarmac road. Turn right and continue towards the village. When you reach a small sports ground with synthetic flooring, turn left to avoid having to go around it, climb a flight of steps and continue straight ahead along the road.
(6) At the junction, turn left downhill, join the Route d'Estagel (D18) further down and follow it to the left to leave the village. Use the left-hand side, where a cemented section at the edge of the road makes it safer to walk. Continue for about 400 m.
(7) Leave the road and take a steep tarmac path on the left. Where this path loses its surface, do not go straight ahead into the vineyard but turn left onto a fairly overgrown path, the start of which is not very obvious.
After walking alongside a vineyard on your right, you will come to a stone wall on the right-hand side of the path. Go past it and immediately turn right to climb up the hillside. Be careful with this change of direction, as it is not marked at all on the ground.
The path is very narrow and overgrown, winding its way through thorny bushes: be careful, shorts are really not recommended. It eventually opens up, leading to a crossroads at the end of the vineyard, next to a beautiful solitary pine tree.
(8) Turn left onto a wide stony path which quickly reaches a crossroads at the corner of an abandoned vineyard. Turn right and join a narrow tarmac road. Turn left and follow this road until you come to a vineyard with a large kermes oak on your right. Turn right and walk along the vineyard for about 20 metres.
(9) Delicate junction: turn right onto a path whose start is unclear on the ground despite the small cairn. This path winds further along the edge of the vineyards, which you must keep on your left, and eventually leads to a wide track suitable for vehicles.
(10) Turn right. Pass the picnic tables on your left, preceded by an educational panel provided by Domaine Dom Brial. Continue along the track, which is now marked with identical, highly informative panels about the vineyard, the different tree species in the area and the ecosystem.
(11) At the sign, on the dry stone walls, turn right downhill. Once on the tarmac road, continue to the right and join the junction with another road just after a large wooden sign for the Crest Petit vineyards.
YellowPR® markings
(12) Turn left. Follow the tarmac road uphill to a fork with directional signs and turn right, following the sign for "Chapelle Sainte-Catherine". When you reach a crossroads, turn right, then quickly turn left, following the signs to walk alongside a vineyard. Enter the undergrowth and head for the chapel, located in a delightful shaded setting.
(13) Turn back and follow the stony track on the right after walking alongside the vineyard again. When you reach the crossroads with a cistern on your right (signposts), continue straight ahead, walking alongside the quarry, which is partially visible on your right. Continue straight ahead at the next crossroads and you will come out on the ridge.
(14) Turn right, stay on the track until it bends to the right, then leave it and continue straight ahead. You will come to a fork with a signpost.
(15) Turn left, following the sign for "Ermitage Notre-Dame de Pène", and follow a pretty balcony path that winds its way up and down, offering beautiful views of the Agly valley. You will reach another junction with a signpost.
(16) Continue straight ahead.
(3) At the large cairn, continue straight ahead and reach the fork in the road leading to the hermitage.
(1) Continue to the right and return to the car park where you started (S/E).
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