Mediterranean Pyrenees: Banyuls to Arles-Sur-Tech

Stages P01 – P03

Banyuls (0m) to Col de l’Ulat (938m)

15/01/2020

Stage: P01

Maps: French IGN 1/25,000: 2549OT Banyuls

Time: 7.10hrs (dept 07.30 / arrive 14.40)

Distance: 23.5km (ascent 1879m / descent 926m)

Weather: Mild but very windy in the morning. Low clouds on the summits in the late morning, clearing into the afternoon.

Notes: Varied terrain leading quickly from the coast to a hilly landscape on the French / Spanish frontier. The route follows the GR10 crossing numerous cols and taking in the summit of Puig Neulos (1256m). The second half follows the crest of the frontier ridge. The route is mostly on open slopes, but passes through some forest sections. The path is well marked and easy to follow.

Accommodation: Gite - Chalet de L´Albère. This claims to be open year round, but is reluctant to open outside the popular season.  In winter the choice is between camping at this location or arranging transport to Le Perthus.

Alternate accommodation options: It would be possible to slightly shorten this day by using the small Refuge Tanyareda CAF after 20km, but this would involve carrying sleeping kit, cooking kit and food

Col de l’Ulat (938m) to Village de Las Illas (548m)

16/01/2020

Stage: P02

Maps: French IGN 1/25,000: 2549OT Banyuls & 2449OT Céret / Amelie-les-Bains

Time: 6.15hrs (start 08.40 / arrive 14.55)

Distance: 24km (ascent 864m / descent 1252m)

Weather: Mild and slightly overcast, brightening later in the day.

Notes: A rather uninteresting section. 5 cols and one summit on the frontier ridge. Much of the route is on forest roads. Descend 650m over 8km to the village of Le Perthus in the valley bottom with main road and motorway. Climb 500m over 10km then descend 200m to the village.

Accommodation: There is a Gite d’Etape and the hotel Trabucayres in Las Illas.

However it seems that they do not open outside the main season. In winter the choice is between camping at this location or arranging transport down the valley to Boulou.

Accommodation options: There is an option to split the stage at Le Perthus (village) after 8km.

Las Illas (548m) to Arles-Sur-Tech (270m)

17/01/2020

Stage: P03

Map: French IGN 1/25,000: 2449OT Céret / Amelie-les-Bains

Time: 9.15hrs  (dept 08.45 / arrive 18.00)

Distance: 25.1km (ascent 1697m / descent 1976m)

Weather: Clear and bright in the morning, turning to rain and snow in the afternoon.

Notes: An interesting, but long, section taking in 5 Cols and one summit. The first half of the section mostly follows the frontier ridge. By leaving the GR10 at Las Illas and taking an alternate route on the Spanish side of the frontier it is possible to reduce the overall distance. Leave Las Illas heading south on the HRP trail to Col de Lli (715m). Continue west on HRP/GRM26 to Coll des les Gordes 883m. Continue west on HRP/GRM26 (passing Refuge Salines) to Col del Pou de la Neu (1247m). Rejoin the GR10 and follow this to the Collade de Sant Marti (1407m) and on to the Coll Cerda (1056m). We attempted to leave the GR10 here and head southwest on a minor path, shown on the IGN map, however this route was blocked and we lost an hour before returning to the GR10 and completing a longer route than planned.

Accommodation: Gite or Hotel in Arles-Sur-Tech. This is a rather run-down town with little open in winter.

Acommodation options: Refuge Salines is reported to be a basic refuge with space for 10. Gîte Moli de la Paleta, 7km before Arles-Sur-Tech, is now permanently closed.

Resupply options: We collected supplies of food, fuel, maps, batteries, etc for Section Two in Arles-Sur-Tech. There is also a small supermarket in the town.