This walk is a circuit in the Albères hills above the small village of Villelongue-dels-Monts, part of which was one of the “PATHS OF FREEDOM” used by many escapees during WW2 and the ‘Retirada’.
Take a dramatic drive from Vinca (on the N116 between Ille sur Tet and Prades) along the winding D13, towards Baillestavy
The Hermitage Saint Antoine with its Cave Chapel is well worth a visit, its first written records dating from the XV century, and continuing till the last hermit/priest, Père Marie, died of hunger and cold in 1870.
This Estagel walk offers great views of the Corbières ridges and valleys and beyond. Straightforward, on easy pistes and tracks with some portions of road, and up a lovely rocky valley so walking boots are essential.
This is a steep walk, but the views are stunning, with plenty of wild rosemary, thyme, lavender. In April and May the flowers are fabulous and cover the hills.
The difference between ‘fanfares’ and ‘bandas’.
Only 15 minutes from Perpignan centre (direction Porte d’Espagne/Barcelona) the lake at Villeneuve-de-la-Raho is used all year round for walkers and joggers, and also provides the water necessary for the ’canadairs’ in case of forest fires.
Towards the end of August 1944, resistance fighters from all around the region fought Germans and French militia to take back Perpignan.
In 1860 Abbé Rous, the new Curé at the Chapelle de la Rectorie, first tasted the naturally sweet wine of Banyuls and found it so good that he decided, through his network of Catholic contacts, to make it the communion wine of France.
Today we’re heading up to the cooler air of the Conflent region, land of contrast, rich in culture and history, from its snowy peaks, wild, mountainous terrain and stunning lakes, to its many pretty and peaceful villages.