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From Argelès-sur-Mer, head towards Sorède on the D2 (Route d'Argelès-sur-Mer). Before the village centre, turn left onto Rue de l'Oasis, then opposite Rue du Roc du Midi and turn left onto Rue du Mas del Ros. There is a small car park on the left-hand side of the street just after the last houses. Otherwise, park on this street.
(S/E) Continue along the street, go around the bend to the right and go uphill. Continue along Rue del Mas Ros, which becomes a wide firebreak track. Follow it for about 500 m until you reach a tree with a yellow sign indicating a change of direction (turn right).
Yellow markings are very sparse
(1) Turn right onto this other wide firebreak track, heading south. Continue along this wide track heading south-east. Pass a firefighting water tank on your right. Continue uphill, ignoring all adjacent tracks and paths, until you reach a large crossroads of tracks and paths.
No markings
(2) Directional sign.
"Leave the climb to the castle on your right, and a little further on, the path on the left marked in yellow."
Continue along the track that turns right to the south-east.
Option: 150 m further on, on the right, a small white wooden sign indicates: cup-marked rock in a round trip uphill into the forest.
You will eventually reach a road at a crossroads between the track, road and path.
(3) Turn right, despite the yellow cross, towards the Church of Saint-Alexandre-de-la-Pava (Sant Ferriol de la Pava).
There is an information panel about this building.
Walk around the well-preserved building and return to the crossroads.
Yellow markings
(3) You can make a return trip to the right to see the Molí de la Pava, but these are private grounds.
Continue straight ahead into the forest along a path.
(2) Back at the signpost, this time head left uphill along a path through the rocks.
Please note: The climb up to the castle ruins is very steep. It should only be attempted in dry weather.
You will arrive at a clearing in the forest where you will find a beautiful fountain (dry on 7 March 2021).
Continue above the fountain along the same steep and rugged path. At around 430 m, there is a pleasant passage between the rocks. Continue climbing until you reach a large area with no vegetation cover. There is an information panel about this unusual place.
(4) This is private property. A sign on the rocks indicates this. Please stay on the paths so that right of way continues to be permitted.
In case of bad weather, if in doubt or with children, keep to the right on the marked path that heads south-west directly towards the hermitage.
Otherwise, turn left and follow the old yellow markings for about 200 metres. Please be careful. You will come to a barely visible fork in the path at an altitude of 490 metres, just before the path descends.
(5) Turn right, heading west, onto a less marked path. Climb a metal ladder to reach the unsecured area of the ruins of Ultera Castle (Castell d'Ultera).
Be careful when visiting these ruins.
(6) Turn around, climb down the metal ladder and return to the previous fork.
Off-trail
(5) Only take this route in good weather. Be careful.
Then turn right onto a path that is well marked on the ground with steep sections. The attached track is accurate.
Go around the ruins below, on the left. The path turns west. Pass a cave on your right, then descend slightly into the forest, staying on this good path which continues flat to the north-west. Finally, you will come to a fork in a path marked in yellow.
Yellow markings
(7) Directional signpost. Turn right and descend along a damaged path. You will reach another fork further down. Head to the Hermitage of Notre-Dame du Château (Mare de Déu del Castell).
(8) This religious building has been completely restored. Picnic area, toilets, water. Please respect this inhabited place. The site is open to the public. Continue down the track. After 100 m, you will find the Chapel of Christ (Capella del Crist) on your right. At the fork in the tracks, leave the track that leads to the antenna and the Vallée Heureuse. Continue down the track for 100 m.
(9) Turn right through a gap in the fence and descend northwards along a very stony path. You will come to a track further down.
(10) Cross the track by turning left and then right to continue down the path. Ignore the numerous signposts for the Sentier des Casots. Continue along this wide path, ignoring all the adjacent paths, until you finally reach a track.
(11) Directional signpost. Turn left onto this track towards Sorède. Further on, the track becomes a steep concrete road. At the entrance to Sorède, turn right through a vehicle barrier and continue along the path with the houses on your left. At the end of the path, turn right towards the (S/E).
Visorando member
Very difficult 
Tourist office
Difficult 
