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 and La Preste-les-Bains.
Park in the very large car park at the end of the village of La Preste (D115a).

Yellow markings

(S/E) Set off due west along the small tarmac road, at the U-turn on the D115a.
Ignore the various signs in the large car park.
Cross the River Tech via a road bridge. Pass by a farm on the hillside to your left. Continue along the right bank of the River Tech. Ignore the adjacent tracks and paths. The small road deteriorates and becomes the Col de Siern forest track. Pass by the La Preste water intake 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 (the Costabonne track). Ignore a track leading down to the right. Pass the first hairpin bend on the left. Head towards the second hairpin bend on the right. Ignore a track leading down to the left.
Join the stony track. Turn right. Continue climbing for 60 m.

(2) Two tracks meet. Cut across the motorable track and head uphill opposite. Follow the yellow markings. There are cairns.

(3) At the next fork, carry straight on along the track. Pass the climb to the Col de Siern on your left. There are old wooden signposts (July 2019)

(4) Turn left. Yellow markings. Pass the grassy track leading down to your right. Cross a trough where a small stream flows through a scree slope (Caution).

(5) Continue along the north-westerly track. Ignore the paths leading uphill on your left. Cross another valley, then another through which the Còrrec de la Solaneta flows. Pass a path on your left before crossing yet another valley through which the Còrrec de Font Negra flows. The path turns east (1,590 m) and continues to climb. When it turns north, the view opens up.
You arrive at a large wooded enclosure, in an open, flat area. Continue straight on (altitude 1,660).

(6) A few metres further on, at the fork, turn right. The path descends slightly to the valley floor (altitude 1,640 m) where the Còrrec de l’Ortiga flows. The path turns due east and climbs towards a pass. The view opens up.

(7) At the Serre de l’Ullat, head straight ahead, descending towards the huts. Yellow markings are visible on small wooden posts. See practical information.
A lovely spot for a break with a 360° view.
You’ll arrive at the Jasse de l’Ullat. A peaceful spot.
There is a hut reserved for the shepherd during the summer season, and a mountain refuge in good condition.

(8) Alternative route available if required => see Practical Information. Turn left, heading due west, climbing slightly. Look for and follow yellow markings which are in very poor condition (July 2019), despite the^GR®® 78 being indicated on the IGN online map.
Enter the forest. Descend towards the Tech, through an open area.
Ford the Tech (altitude 1616).
The path to follow is on the left bank; it is visible and climbs.
Tip: When you reach the torrent, stay on the right bank for a few metres and look for large boulders that allow you to cross this wide torrent fairly easily.
Follow the well-marked path on the ground which climbs due east. The path is overgrown. Take care to keep climbing slightly and look out for the few yellow markings.
You’ll reach the end of the grassy ridge of the Serra Mitjana (1,650 m).
The path enters the forest, turning north-west, and descends towards the Còrrec de Roques. Cross the thalweg where the Còrrec de Roques flows (1,650 m). Pass through three wet areas. Continue due east through the forest. Yellow markings. Pass beneath El Talaiador on your left. Cross the Còrrec del Talaiador (altitude 1,638). Head towards an open area, reaching an old ruined sheepfold on your right (altitude 1,650 m).

(9) Continue straight ahead, due east, following the yellow markings.
Very soon, the path climbs towards a very large open area.
Note: Just before reaching the pass, if you turn round and look due west, you will see the Jasse de l’Ouillat.
Reach the junction of marked paths at the pass. This is a confusing area as there are five possible directions.
A lovely spot for a break with a 360° view.
- See practical information. Alternative route.

(10) Coll de Baix. Alternative route available if required => see Practical information. Continue straight ahead, due east, descending into the forest. Red and yellow markings for^{the GRP®®} Ronde du Canigò. You’ll reach an open, grazed area. Emerge at the end of the car park.

(11) Las Conques mountain refuge. A lovely spot for a lunch break or other rest.
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 cleared path. Descend into the forest along a wide track, heading due south. The track then turns due east as it climbs. Follow the yellow markings. The track turns due south. Ignore the track that descends to the left. Continue climbing; the track is now grassy. You’ll reach a hairpin bend to the right of the track. Various signposts.

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

(12) At the start of this bend, at the fork, turn left, heading uphill towards the rocks (Roca Dona), due south. Leave the track. Take care to follow the red and yellow markings closely. The path is sometimes overgrown. Head towards an open area of pasture.

(13) Please note: at Collada de La Solana, turn left heading due north. Follow the path, which is clearly marked on the ground. The markings have been repainted.
Pass the Còrrec de Santa Marina. You’ll reach an open pasture area.
(altitude 1259). Stay behind the fence, with the road on your left. Continue downwards.

(14) ⚠️ Date: 25 July 2025. Due to a high risk of significant rockfalls and a large boulder, a diversion is in place: Take the tarmac road, Route des Conques, as far as the bus stop. Turn right onto the D115a, pass through Preste-les-Bains and head for the car park.

Turn right, heading down into the forest. There are mobile phone masts on your left.
Take care to follow the red and yellow markings carefully.
Wade across the Còrrec de Santa Maria.
Head uphill to the right towards La Preste and Les Thermes.
You’ll arrive at some old buildings, Mas Brixot.
Cross a small footbridge over the Còrrec del Mas Brixot.
You’ll arrive at a developed area (abandoned in July 2019) with benches for spa-goers. Follow the red and yellow markings. Join the small road.

(15) Turn right onto the road. Follow the red and yellow markings. You’ll reach the starting car park (S/E) after a left-hand bend.

(8) Alternative route. Cabanes de l’Ullat. If you encounter any difficulties, if the River Tech is in flood, or if you are short of time, you can descend through the forest directly to La Preste by heading due east along a very scenic path and rejoining the (1). Yellow markings.

(10) Alternative route. Coll Baix. In the event of any problems, or if time is short, it is possible to descend directly to (12) by heading right, south-east, following the red and yellow markings of the GRP® Ronde du Canigó.

From (7) to (10), although the path is marked as GRT78, the signposting is yellow. The maintenance leaves something to be desired.

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.