La Preste - Jasse de l'Ullat - Las Conques - Collada de la Solana

From Perpignan, head towards Le Boulou, Céret, Amélie-les-Bains, Arles-sur-Tech, Prats-de-Mollo, La Preste les Bains.
Park in the large car park at the end of the village of La Preste (D115a).

Yellow markings

(S/E) Head west on the small tarmac road, at the turning point of the D115a.
Ignore the various signs in the large car park.
Cross the Tech river via a road bridge. Pass a farm on your left. Continue along the right bank of the Tech. Ignore the adjacent tracks and paths. The small road deteriorates and becomes the Col de Siern forest road. Pass the La Preste water catchment on your right.

(1) At the fork, turn left. Leave the forest road. Follow the yellow markings. The path widens and becomes a narrow, stony track (Costabonne track). Leave a track that descends to the right. Pass a first hairpin bend on the left. Head towards the second hairpin bend on the right. Leave a track that descends to the left.
Join the stony track. Turn right. Continue climbing for 60 m.

(2) Two tracks cross. Cut across the track suitable for vehicles and climb up opposite. Follow the yellow markings. There are cairns.
(3) At the next fork, continue straight ahead along the track. Leave the climb to Col de Siern on your left. There are old wooden signs (July 2019).

(4) Turn left. Yellow markings. Leave the grassy track that descends on your right. Cross a gully where a small stream flows through a landslide (caution).

(5) Continue along the north-west facing track. Leave the paths that climb up on your left. Cross another gully, then another where the Còrrec de la Solaneta stream flows. Leave a path on your left before crossing another gully where the Còrrec de Font Negra stream flows. The path turns east (1,590 m) and continues to climb. When it turns north, the view opens up.
You will arrive at a large wooden enclosure in a clear, flat area. Continue straight ahead (altitude 1660).

(6) A few metres further on, at the fork, turn right. The path descends slightly to the valley (altitude 1640 m) where the Ortiga stream flows. The path turns east and climbs towards a pass. The view opens up.

(7) At Serre de l'Ullat, head opposite, descending towards the huts. Yellow markings are present on small wooden posts. See practical information (¹).
A beautiful spot for a break with a 360° view.
Arrive at Jasse de l'Ullat. A peaceful spot.
There is a hut reserved for shepherds during the summer season and a refuge in good condition.
See practical information. Alternative

(8) Turn left, heading west, climbing slightly. Find and follow yellow markings in very poor condition (July 2019) despite the^GR®® 78 indicated on the IGN online.
Enter the forest. Descend towards the Tech river in an open area.
Ford the Tech (altitude 1616).
The path to follow is on the left bank; it is visible and climbs upwards.
Tip: When you reach the stream, stay on the right bank for a few metres and look for large rocks that will allow you to cross this wide stream without too much difficulty.
Follow the well-marked path on the ground that climbs due east. The path is cluttered. Be sure to always climb slightly and look for the few yellow markings.
You will arrive at the end of the grassy ridge of Serra Mitjana (1650 m).
The path enters the forest, turning north-west and descending towards the Còrrec de Roques. Cross the valley where the Còrrec de Roques flows (1650 m). Pass three wet areas. Continue eastwards through the forest. Yellow markings. Pass under El Talaiador on your left. Pass the Còrrec del Talaiador (altitude 1638). Head towards an open area and you will come to an old ruined sheepfold on your right (altitude 1650 m).

(9) Continue straight ahead, heading due east, following the yellow markings.
The path will soon climb towards a very large open area.
Note: Shortly before reaching the pass, turn around and look west to see the Jasse de l'Ouillat.
Reach the crossroads of marked paths at the pass. This is a confusing area as there are five possible directions.
A very beautiful spot for a break with a 360° view.
See practical information. Alternative route.

(10) Coll de Baix. Continue straight ahead, heading due east, descending into the forest. Red and yellow markings for^{the GRP®®} Ronde du Canigò. You will arrive at an open, grassy area. You will come out at the end of the car park.

(11) Las Conques refuge. A beautiful spot for a meal or other break.
Pass the refuge on your left. Head towards a picnic table. There is a spring on the left. Signpost.
Go through the gate via a designated passage. Descend into the forest via a wide track, heading south. The track then turns east and climbs. Follow the yellow markings. The track turns south. Leave the track that descends to the left. Continue climbing the track, which is now grassy. You will arrive at a hairpin bend to the right of the track. Various signposts.

Red and yellow markings for^{the GRP®®} Ronde du Canigò.

(12) At the entrance to this bend, at the fork, turn left, climbing towards the rocks (Roca Dona), heading due south. Leave the track. Pay attention to follow the red and yellow markings. The path is sometimes overgrown. Head towards a clear grazing area.

(13) Caution: at Collada de La Solana, turn left heading due north. Follow the path, which is well marked on the ground. The markings have been repainted.
Pass the Santa Marina pass. You will arrive at an open grazing area.
(altitude 1259). Stay behind the fence, with the road on your left. Continue downhill.

(14) Turn right, descending into the forest. There are relay antennas on the left.
Take care to follow the red and yellow markings.
Fork across the Còrrec de Santa Maria.
Climb up to the right towards La Preste and Les Thermes.
You will arrive at some old buildings, Mas Brixot.
Cross a small footbridge over the Còrrec del Mas Brixot.
You will arrive at a developed area (abandoned in July 2019) with benches for spa visitors. Follow the red and yellow markings. Join the small road.

(15) Turn right onto the road. Follow the red and yellow markings. Return to the car park (S/E) after a left turn.

(8) Alternative route. Ullat huts. In case of problems, or if you are short on time, you can descend directly to La Preste by heading due east along a path that descends opposite the huts. Yellow markings.

(10) Alternative route. Coll Baix. In case of problems, or if you are short on time, you can descend directly to (12) by heading south-east, following the red and yellow markings of^{the GRP®®} Ronde du Canigó.

(¹) From (7) to (10), although the path is marked GRT78, the markings are yellow. Maintenance is poor (July 2019).

Las Conques refuge

La Preste les Bains

Drinking water at the Las Conques refuge. Numerous springs along the way. You will need a filter bottle or tablets.

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 a walking stick.

Hike completed again by the author on 29 July 2019.