Vingrau - Circular around the Serra

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A superb landscape with views of the Corbières and Roussillon. Best done when there is no wind. This is a circular route of 4 hours and the route is easy. There are a few steep sections. It is limestone rock from start to finish, so good footwear is recommended. From here, you can see Aguilar Castle, Opoul Castle, Canigou, the sea, the Corbières and Roussillon!

Details

n°43237917
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.44 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 443 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 445 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 574 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 158 m
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Photos

On the ridge

Description of the walk

There is a very large car park when you arrive at Pas de l'Esacala. Coming from Perpignan on the D12, turn right onto the D9 towards Opoul and park immediately in the large car park on the left-hand side of the road.

(S/E) Head north on the D9 towards Vingrau (you can cut through the grove) and go to the first bend, 70 metres away (there is a small bridge).

(1) Turn left and go down a pretty paved path towards the vineyards. Then continue west until you reach the road (D9).

(2) Cross it and continue along the small tarmac road opposite. You will see the pretty Chapel of Bon Conseil (Nostra Senyora del Bon Consell) on your right and the cemetery on your left. Continue west, pass to the right of the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and you will come to the start of a path.

Follow the yellow markings throughout.

(3) The path begins to climb north-east.

(4) Ignore a surprising yellow cross and continue along the path, which will soon turn right and descend into the valley. Go to the end of the valley.

(5) The return journey will be via the southern ridge. Turn almost completely right!

(6) Cross a few steep passages, don't hesitate to use your hands. Continue to follow the yellow markings on the ridge and reach the highest point of the hike, at an altitude of 576 metres.

(7) Enjoy the 360° view. Continue to follow the yellow markings and descend gently until you reach the D12 and the initial fork.

(1) Continue along the D12 for a short while and turn left towards the (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 264 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 0.19 - alt. 252 m - Crossroads of the circular
  3. 2 : km 1.41 - alt. 160 m - Crossing the D9
  4. 3 : km 1.87 - alt. 172 m - Start of the uphill trail
  5. 4 : km 3.23 - alt. 302 m - Follow the path.
  6. 5 : km 5.15 - alt. 549 m - End of the valley
  7. 6 : km 5.2 - alt. 550 m - Steep passage
  8. 7 : km 6.12 - alt. 573 m - High point
  9. S/E : km 8.44 - alt. 264 m - Car park

Notes

There is no water on the route.
Do not go when it is very windy or very hot.
High-top shoes are recommended.

Worth a visit

See the caves, Aguilar Castle to the north, and Opoul Castle to the east.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 13 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.1 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Didier GABARDA OLIVA
Didier GABARDA OLIVA

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route that is highly recommended. However, at the top of the Serra, you need to be careful for a few dozen metres, especially if you are not used to walking in the mountains.

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perplex66
perplex66

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful circular with superb views... A short "technical" section with no difficulty... Worth doing again in the opposite direction for fun.

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Agnesdeflaio
Agnesdeflaio

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Route with a short section above ground and a beautiful view from the summit.
Views of the sea and southern Corbières along the ridge.
Best avoided in summer as there is no shade.

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Cicero
Cicero

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

When you reach the unmarked ridge, do not descend but turn right to continue along the ridge itself. It's a beautiful hike.

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luctitine
luctitine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2024
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, but not recommended for children, as there are some areas that are quite dangerous for younger children.
Signage is excellent. Avoid hiking when it is too hot or windy, as there is no shade along the route.

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Emilie66
Emilie66

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike, done with my dog, no problems crossing the ridge.
At the start of the route, I had to check my GPS track on the map a few times because I tended to lose the trail... After that, the trail is well marked all the way to the ridge, impeccable. Once you reach the ridge, the markings and cairns are very helpful, with one every 5-10 metres. Really nice view from the ridge. A scrap metal pylon had been blown over by the wind, but it was easy to get around and didn't pose a problem. On the day I did the hike, there was no wind in the valley, but despite that, it was already quite windy on the ridge... So, this hike should be avoided in strong winds. There is no shade or water on the route.

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fleur de lotus
fleur de lotus
• Edited:

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The start is unclear, you really have to follow a route that isn't marked. It's far too rocky, it's not a path. The view is nice.
However, the last 1,000 metres are very steep.

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SylvainO'
SylvainO'

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A superb walk, done in early April in splendid weather. The landscapes are magnificent, and the route is interesting (very few roads, narrow paths and small passages where you have to use your hands). Two pieces of advice: go there because it is extremely beautiful and wild, and also use the cairns as a guide to find your way along the ridge (the yellow markings, even though they are well done, are not always visible depending on where you are).

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David66
David66

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful route with lovely views

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Daniel Pauline
Daniel Pauline
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful view along the ridges.

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hc31
hc31

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful route, well signposted, offering magnificent 360° views.
Not recommended in strong winds or fog, as the start of the return journey along the rocky ridge requires good visibility.
Those prone to vertigo should refrain from attempting this route or should return via the same path, which presents no difficulty.

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Laurent. A
Laurent. A

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk with stunning views, but not recommended for those who suffer from vertigo.

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ga ste
ga ste
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike done in winter on a cloudy day, so not much scenery, but a nice walk nonetheless. Note that the trail is marked with yellow rectangles, not crosses.

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