On the heights of the Côte Vermeille

(S) Start from Port-Vendres railway station.
Follow the road westwards past the boules court and, 300m further on, go under the railway bridge. Ignore the first underpass beneath the railway line (return route).

(1) Continue right along the road for about 700m, following the Còrrec del Vall.

(2) Turn left, crossing the stream and heading uphill. Go under the ring road bridge, continue straight on and join the DFCI track on the right after about 250m (elevation 65m). Ignore the first road on the right after the ring road. Ignore the adjacent tracks. Continue climbing steadily. Cross a stream at a left-hand bend. Arrive at a road at the Col de Mala Cara.

(3) Turn right. After 100m, at the fork (elevation 221m), continue left.

(4) At the summit, where the roads and path meet, you are at Coll de Molló. Take the steep path opposite, between the vineyard and the heath. Simply follow the cairns. You will arrive at the Madeloc refuge (David and Linda), and enjoy a stunning view of the rocky coast of Port-Vendres and Paulilles Bay.
Continue along the track for 300m until you reach the fork in the tracks and path.

(5) Coll de Tallaferro. Turn right onto a path. Watch out for the steep slope right from the start.
You’ll reach the water path; continue left and, 2 km further on, you’ll arrive at a track (^GR®10) at Coll de Vallauria.

(6) Turn left onto the^GR®10, heading uphill. Pass Coll de Formigó. Immediately pass a ruin on your left and, further on, a ruined farmhouse (old wine vats), then head towards Coll dels Gascons, still on the^GR®10.

(7) Just before Coll dels Gascons, turn left onto a steep, ascending path to reach the Batterie des 500.
You can make a round trip to the Torre de Madeloc (altitude 656m).

(8) Head down to the right along the road.

(9) At the junction, turn right. After two hairpin bends, leave the road and head left along a vineyard track.
Keep heading north-east towards the clearly visible building.

(10) At the junction, turn right towards the Batterie de la Galline.

(11) Retrace your steps and continue down to the right through the vineyard. Keep heading south towards the valley floor.

(12) At the bottom on the right, cross the Rec de Cospron via a road bridge and head towards the hamlet of Cosprons. Cross the stream several times. At the junction (elevation 49m), continue straight ahead on the road.
In the centre of the village, after climbing, turn left towards the Chapel of Cosprons.
Continue past the chapel and the cemetery and turn right to reach the water tower.

(13) With the water tower on your left, take the path on the right which descends towards a small stream. Reach and cross the road and climb through the vineyard, heading due north. At the top, at the crossroads, turn left onto the path above the road towards Coll Perdiguer. On your right, you will see two old circular fire cisterns.

(14) At the pass, cross the road and descend along a steep path towards Port-Vendres. At the road, turn left towards the roundabout.

(15) Join the road at the RD914 roundabout. Note: take the path opposite which heads left, running alongside and overlooking the railway line on your right; go under the railway bridge and turn right.

After about 200 metres, you have arrived. (E).

David and Linda’s Refuge: hikers can ask at the tourist office about the possibility of staying overnight or having a meal.
Hameau des Cosprons: ask Mrs Cabot; she will show you a magnificent chapel.
Note: If you look carefully, between (8) and (9), at the left-hand bend, there is a path on the right-hand side that leads directly to La Galine.

Madeloc Tower,
Madeloc Refuge,
Taillefer Cutlery,
Cosprons Chapel.