Madeloc Tower

de fr

Hike along the Albères mountain range, the easternmost part of the Pyrenees, to reach the Madeloc Tower.

After a few dozen difficult metres, the path to the tower offers a beautiful view of the Mediterranean coast. At the top, the panorama is unforgettable. You can see Collioure, Argèles-sur-mer, Banyuls-sur-mer, Port-Vendres, and even Spain across the Pyrenees mountain range.

Details

n°1466847
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.05 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 381 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 373 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 654 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 335 m
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Photos

view of the coast
View of France from the Madeloc Tower
Madeloc Tower

Description of the walk

The easiest way is to leave from Collioure, heading towards Notre-Dame de Consolation on the D86. Arrive at Coll d'en Calvó. Continue on the D86 towards Coll de la Serra, before Coll de Mollo. The parking area is not large.

(S/E) Take the path on the right, which is closed to vehicles. Head towards a building on the right.

(1) After the small house, do not take the path on the right to Coll de Vallauria (Col de Baillaury), but climb the hill opposite, via the stony ridge. This is the most difficult part. Continue to the Taillefer (Tallaferro) battery.

(2) Continue along the path to the open area of Coll de Taillefer (468m).

(3) Leave the path on the right that descends towards the "Chemin de l'Eau".

(4) Continue right along the path that climbs to the top of the hill. Leave the track on your left.
The path winds several times before reaching the tower. Please follow this path carefully so as not to contribute to erosion. Pass under the antennas on your right.

(5) Torre de Madeloc. A little further on, there is a viewpoint offering views as far as Spain

(6) The return route is the same as the outward route. Return to the (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 335 m - Parking spot on the D86 - Col de la Serra ou Coll de la Serra (416m)
  2. 1 : km 0.14 - alt. 343 m - Opposite, the start of the difficult passage
  3. 2 : km 0.64 - alt. 493 m - Batterie de Taillefer (Tallaferro)
  4. 3 : km 0.85 - alt. 468 m - Col de Taillefer ou Coll de Tallaferro (465m)
  5. 4 : km 1 - alt. 464 m - Junction, on the right
  6. 5 : km 2.36 - alt. 652 m - Madeloc (670m)
  7. 6 : km 2.52 - alt. 654 m - Viewpoint stretching all the way to Spain
  8. S/E : km 5.05 - alt. 335 m - Parking spot on the D86

Notes

You must be equipped to climb the hill without difficulty.
Don't forget water and a windbreaker.

Worth a visit

The view is splendid. The sea is on the left and the mountains on the right on the way there. You can see Collioure, Argèles-sur-mer, Banyuls-sur-mer, Port-Vendres, and as far as Spain.

Cutler from the Tallaferro battery

The Madeloc Batteries 1883-1886

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 18 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Goupil jean luc
Goupil jean luc

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

What beautiful scenery! We went hiking in the autumn, in the morning. There weren't many people and it wasn't too hot.

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Goupil jean luc
Goupil jean luc

Great hike!! Stunning scenery. Be warned, though, as it is clearly stated that this is a fairly difficult hike, with the climb taking you over pebbles and rocks, but the effort is well worth it.

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Les chéris d'amour
Les chéris d'amour

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb short hike with my 7-year-old daughter, very pretty

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Vivi77
Vivi77

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Start of the hike, a steep incline of pebbles and rocks, hence the importance of good footwear.
Breathtaking views on the way there and back.
Once you reach the tower, the 360-degree view of both the sea and the vineyards is well worth the effort.
Allow 1½ to 2 hours for the walk, depending on your pace.

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lph29
lph29

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

a nice little hike, not very long. A few rocky sections.
the view is magnificent, taking in all the villages along the coast from Argelès to Port Vendres, with Canigou and the Massane tower in the background.

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frederique.vltx
frederique.vltx

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great hike, magnificent views all along the way, but be aware that the trail is in full sun the entire time and you'll need good shoes as there are lots of rocks along the way.
We did this hike with our 1-year-old cocker spaniel and it was great, but be aware that your dog needs to be used to jumping from rock to rock at the start of the route.

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Twun
Twun

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very enjoyable hike at the end of March. The views are sublime!

Please note:

  • the first part is quite steep, but it's worth the effort! We came back down via the path that branches off to the left at the Tallafero pass, which is much easier and allows you to discover other landscapes as well. It's also possible to go up this way if you want to skip the first steep part.
  • some sections may be a little "impressive" for those who are afraid of heights, but nothing impossible either

100% recommended in good weather

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arthur2007
arthur2007
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, quite challenging, with one slightly difficult section.
Magnificent views.

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JLM 31
JLM 31

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful "sporty" walk, especially for the first 500 metres at the start and the last 500 metres! Needless to say, suitable footwear and a small bag (water, first aid kit, jacket sometimes useful) are recommended. The path is dotted with nice viewpoints on the Mediterranean side and the Spanish side. You'll meet lots of hikers, often accompanied by children or dogs. There are occasional markings, although they're not really necessary as it's easy to see or guess where the tower is located.

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gilsol66
gilsol66

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, with an even elevation gain; stunning views of both the coast and the western slopes.

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patrick armand
patrick armand

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

very difficult hike, best avoided in rainy weather and without proper footwear (we saw people wearing loafers climbing in the rain!!!)
Very beautiful views

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FOURMIS66
FOURMIS66

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 31, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

It was perfect

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dahu88270
dahu88270

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 15, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Magnificent view of Collioure, Port Vendres, etc

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Randoyoga
Randoyoga

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing

This concerns the route. There is an alternative for the return journey that does not lengthen the route and, above all, avoids going back down the rather dangerous climb for those who are not familiar with it. Magnificent panorama over the whole bay of Collioure and the entire coast from Argelès to Banuyls, and on the other side, the Massane tower. 😎🌞😊

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frederic.dure
frederic.dure
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Magnificent view, admittedly the walk is a bit difficult but it's worth it!! You should still bring water with you

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