We pass evocatively named places busy with history; Besalú, St Jaume de Llierca, Castellfollit de la Roca before entering Olot and the Parc Natural de la Zona Volcanica de la Garrotxa abundant with fascinating conical and sometimes symmetrical hills.

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’.

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.

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.

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