Pyrenees: Ceret

A 5 km nice walk, up in the mountains above the sea shore, and the bays of Collioure and Port Vendres.

This area is the place where the Pyrenees start to rise in the east and they will continue all the way till the Atlantic ocean on the west.

Its a 2.5 km – should be less than 1 hour- uphill (and the same is back) to one of the guard-towers (in French: La tour) that were built hundreds of years ago to control the French – Spanish border. This area changed sides every few decades so France and Spain ruled the area periodically. After parking your car in the small parking place, follow the yellow signs “Torre de Madaloc” up the hill. The trail is marked with yellow strips to show you the way. After about 150 meters from the parking you cross an old house. Continue straight (slight left) on the trail junction. Additional 750 meters will bring you to another intersection on the trail. You can take both to the top, while the one to your right is much steeper, and you have to walk on rocks, the left one is more comfortable to walk. On your way back down from the tower, you can choose the one which you didn't came up with.

You can picnic on the top near the tower, or on your way back near a small refuge house which has few benches hiding between the tress. Both spots enable superb views of the Mediteranian sea and the nice coastline.

No trees along the trail so you are exposed to the sun.

 

Continue your day on the beach side:

After finishing the hike you can choose to have lunch / coffee / ice-cream on one of the villages along the coast. Port Vendres which is a fishing boat port is known for its many fish and sea food restaurants in the port (see GPS below)

Another option is bathing in Beach Paulilles. It has good parking place and you can walk and find your beach, among several options. In high season the beach might be very crowded.

 

 

Tips:

• On a windy day – it will be much more windy on the top.

• In the summer start very early, otherwise you will be exposed to a scorching hot sun.

• Bring your own water and food.

 

The trail on Google maps: Here

 

Parking point on map: HERE

 

Tour point on map: HERE

 

The refuge – a nice place to stop for picnic on the way down: HERE

 

The port in Port Vendres point on map: HERE

 

Parking De Paulilles on the map: HERE