The Col d’Ouillat and Pic Neoulous (turn left just before Le Perthus) make a wonderful panoramic picnic and BBQ spot at any time of year.
While you’re there, look out for ‘La Reyne de las Founs’, man made rock formation surrounding a source coming out of the mountain, forming a pretty waterfall and stream.
Illiterate shepherd Manel built several of these stone features in the 19th century, lovingly diverting streams and fountains, often engraved with text copied for him by the school teacher of Saint Jean d’Albères.
Inscribed with ‘les douaniers ici trouvent souvent ce qu’ils cherchent’ it was used by smugglers to indicate, via cleverly coded pebble formations, where the customs officials were and how many were about!
