* On the tracks of SMUGGLERS & HIGHWAYMEN
Secret passes and fearful stories of the French-Spanish border.
1 or 2 days
From Roman times until today, this country has been the setting for a long and rich history. Going along ancient routes gives the visitor a unique opportunity to explore the roots of Catalonia and brings an extra dimension to our walks.
“CAMINO DE SANTIAGO” across CATALONIA
The Southern Ways of Saint James to Compostela
We have selected long time forgotten sections of the most famous pilgrim's route. Walkers follow original paths along the southern side
of the Pyrenees. They lead to emblematic abbeys, monasteries, churches, chapels and hermitages.
*Route 1: from Perpignan in ROUSSILLON
to the Canigou mountains. On the way:
monasteries St MARTIN du CANIGOU, St MICHEL
de CUIXA and the fortified town of VILLEFRANCHE de CONFLENT.
Crossing plateau of CERDAGNE to the Spanish side at Puigcerda.
LA SEU d'URGELL marks the end of this section.
*Route 2 : from the port of COLLIOURE, following the VALLESPIR valley (abbey of ARLES sur TECH) to PRATS de MOLLO and Col d'Ares then down to Camprodon to link with Route 3.
*Route 3 : SANTA MARIA de RIPOLL, where the first Counts of Barcelona were buried, is the starting point of a riveting itinerary across haunting landscapes. The spectacularly located St PERE de CASSERES is an obligatory break before heading to the famous monastery of MONTSERRAT.
“CHEMIN VAUBAN”
Route of the Canons
After the French conquered
Roussillon in the 17th century,
military engineer Vauban built
strong fortifications along the
new border. Our trail follows
the tracks of the King's army
between Villefranche de
Conflent and Mont-Louis,
two fortified towns labelled
as “UNESCO's World Heritage”.
ROUTE of IRON & COAL MINES
Vestiges of the extinct mining industry
in the mountains of Canigou and Ripollès
The routes are going valley to valley along ancient mules paths and railway line ways.
Most of the sites are now lost in woodland: old buildings, galleries, furnaces, pylons, charcoal terraces...
The itinerary visits both sides of the Pyrenees with breaks in small villages where mining sites have been restored.
The tradition of artistic iron working is also visible throughout many decorations on the door of churches and monasteries in the historical towns of Arles sur Tech, Prats de Mollo and St Joan de les Abadesses.
