Circular walk around Roc Jocavell

Park at the Mas Malet refuge, the end point of the track starting either at Clara or at Villerach.

(S/E) Set off from beside the refuge and begin with a steep descent. Join another path, keep to the right and continue downwards to reach the Llech.

(1) Cross the stream by fording; as there is no bridge, avoid periods of rain and snowmelt, and take care as the stones are very slippery in wet weather.
From there, tackle a very steep climb through the forest. Follow the valley floor to the left. You’ll reach a shelter in very good condition, set against a rock. Continue the climb via a hairpin bend and then a few switchbacks to reach the Coll de la Gallina or Col de la Galine.

(2) Head left towards the north-east, continue the climb to reach a ridge and then begin the^second descent. Turn right to reach the Mas de la Coume. At the farmhouse, follow the sign for Baillestavy. Cross the Còrrec de la Martina then join a track.

(3) Turn left onto it. Cross the Còrrec de la Font Nova, veer left and reach a crossroads with a sign for La Mouline via Col de Teixo.

(4) Begin the^second steep ascent here by taking the path on the right. Climb along the ridge.
Pass the ruins of Cortal d’en Carbonell, indicated by a sign, and continue climbing, but leave the ridge and head off to the right, heading north-west. After a sharp bend to the left, you’ll reach a fork in the path. There are wooden signs here.

(5) Leave the path on the left (^GR®36) and head up to the right to reach the highest point, the Collada del Teixó or Col de Teixó.

(6) Descend via a series of tight bends to the Còrrec de Prat Cabrera. Cross the stream here by wading across; take care here too – please refer to the previous notes. Climb slightly to reach another ford on the Còrrec del Salze; the slope then becomes steeper until you reach the track leading to La Mouline.

(7) Turn right onto the track and, after a right-angle bend, you’ll reach the old Lous Grounells car park.

(8) Here you have two options:
- stay on the track to the right and follow it to the car park at the Mas Malet refuge (S/E),
- leave the track and, before the barriers, take the path leading uphill to the left; this is the route shown on the map.
Walk along the gently ascending slope, above the track which is visible from time to time. Cross the Còrrec de les Beçoses. Continue on to reach another Y-junction.

(9) Ignore the path branching off to the left towards Roc Mosquit and continue northwards. You’ll reach the hamlet of Jaça de l’Espaülla after passing the 1208-metre mark.

(10) Here, begin the descent via tight hairpin bends. This is the final descent, in wide zigzags, leading you right up to the barrier at the Mas Malet car park (S/E).

Take care not to take this route after heavy rain or snowmelt, as it involves crossing three streams where water levels may be high. Also take care in wet weather as the rocks are slippery.

The track leading to the Mas Malet Refuge is generally in good condition (from Estoher). However, due to the water drainage ruts, I would not recommend it for low-clearance vehicles.
Alternative route: Mas Malet (the Llech track, via the villages of Prades and Villerach)

(3) Mas de la Courme: Please note that this is a residential property, so keep your dogs on a lead due to the presence of livestock.
At this point, you can visit the remains of the old Coume Iron Mine, situated below on the left.

(5) Before the junction leading to the Col de Teixó (Collada del Teixó), there is a sign pointing to an old iron ‘carbonera’ (La Perola) to the left of the path. This is a cauldron used for making charcoal.

(7) Before reaching the track after the last crossing of the ford, there is an information board explaining how the Mouline forge worked; its ruins can still be seen there.