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In Banyuls-sur-Mer, at the unremarkable roundabout opposite the town hall, turn right onto the D86 towards the post office and police station. Pass under the railway bridge. Immediately afterwards, leave the D86 and continue to the left (do not follow the signs for the police station). Follow the signs for Col de Banyuls. The road overlooks the river on the left. Pass Mas Parer and continue up this road. Cross a stream over a road bridge (stele). Turn right after this bridge. The road is in very good condition up to Coll de Banyuls, which is still closed to traffic (as of 29 January 2023).
Park at the pass without obstructing traffic or access to the track you need to take.
(S/E) Continue north on the track. After about 2 km, in a sharp left-hand bend, before another track on the right, you will find a cairn along the embankment on the left.
(1) Turn completely left overlooking the track and heading due west. Follow this very steep path, marked with cairns and a few fluorescent markings.
At around 480 m, ignore a path that descends to the right. Continue uphill for about 100 m until you reach the Dolmen de la Cova dels Alarbs on your left. Beautiful viewpoint.
(2) Continue the steep climb. It is essential to locate and follow the numerous cairns.
The path is obvious and very well marked on the ground. Under no circumstances should you venture into the undergrowth. The path climbs continuously and leads to a more open area among the rocks. The view is very beautiful.
There is a stone bench, which is more like a firing point. Pass to the left of this bench, and the path descends slightly for 30 metres. Take care.
At around 560 m, ignore a path that descends to the left. Head right on almost flat ground for a few metres, then climb steeply up a good path through scree. Much higher up, you will reach a better marked path at a fork.
Yellow markings and numerous cairns.
(3) "The path on the left will be the way back."
Turn right and climb up this very good path, which is well marked on the ground. Follow the border line.
Look for and follow the yellow markings and numerous cairns. You will arrive at a clearing and a fork in the path.
(4) A signpost with French and Spanish signs is confusing.
The directions are nonsensical. Ignore them. Follow the only valid sign: Sallfort on the left.
Continue climbing, heading north, slightly to the left, along the correct path.
Look for and follow the numerous cairns and the old yellow markings.
As you leave the forest, an old fence on your left marks the border.
End of the correctyellow markings
(5) At around 910 m, ignore the yellow marked posts on the right-hand side of the path.
Continue north, slightly to the left, following the numerous cairns.
Then, the path, still uphill and chaotic, goes around a first summit at an altitude of 978 metres.
Look out for the cairns and some very old, scattered yellow markings to finally reach the Sallfort plateau.
(6) Turn west, following a series of raised slabs on your left, and reach the top of Puig de Sallfort at an altitude of 994 metres. There is a small nativity scene and altar in a cavity.
(7) Then head north, following a curve and trying to stay level. Follow theGR®10for a short while and reach the other Puig de Sallfort at an altitude of 978 metres and its small rock shelter.
(8) Continue north-northeast and head towards the large, clearly visible iron cross for a magnificent view of the Côte Vermeille.
(9) Turn around and, below the rock shelter, rejoin theGR®10, which descends southwards along a steep path. Pay attention: at around 870 m, look for a plastic sign indicating a spring on the left. Continue downhill for a few metres and look for the start of a forest path on the right.
Very old yellow markings and a few cairns reinforced along the way
(10) Head south on this good path. Be sure to follow the markings and cairns, staying almost at the same altitude (860 m). Further on, the path descends about 20 metres and joins the path you took on the way up at the confusing signpost.
Yellow markings to Coll de Banyuls
(4) Head south. Pass Coll de les Eres and arrive at the first fork on the way there. Leave the path going uphill on your left and continue heading south.
Rejoin the fork in the path you took on the way up. Pic Estela.
(3) This time, continue straight ahead, south, heading for the pass that you can see to the south-southeast. Look for and follow the old yellow markings, which are still clearly visible.
Reach Coll de Banyuls and its refuge (S/E).
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Difficult 
