Les Balcons de Laroque

with Tim and Chris Parker

A circular walk into the hills above Laroque-des-Albères, with around 400–450 metres of ascent.
Allow approximately 3½–4¼ hours, depending on route choice and conditions.
Much of the climbing is in the first half of the walk.
The route is generally well marked with yellow waymarks, although several local walks share the same paths and tracks, so careful attention to the directions is recommended.

Best in spring and autumn, as limited shade in strong summer heat

Access: IGN map 1:25,000, Banyuls, Col de Perthus, Côte Vermeille 2549OT.

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GETTING THERE

Laroque is signed off the D618 road (Argeles to Le Boulou). Take D50 into the Village centre and park opposite the Mairie. Do make time to explore this fascinating village before or after your walk.

Start of walk

Cross the narrow main street and continue straight on past the Café des Artistes. Turn right into Rue du Château and walk below the town ramparts.

At the rear of the ramparts, descend to the bridge across the river and continue through the allotments along the Chemin de la Florentine. Emerge beside the houses at Place Sant Sebastià.

The walk

After approximately 30–40 minutes, the broad track narrows to the right and climbs towards a wide bend in the sandy piste. Ignore the turn for Walk 1 and continue uphill to the hairpin bend.

On the bend, take the path on the right, climbing through a rocky gully. After a short, steep climb of about five minutes, reach a piste. Cross it directly and continue uphill on the path opposite, emerging on a second, more grassy piste.

Turn left and, very shortly afterwards, take the path on the right to continue climbing towards the high point of the walk. This is the longest sustained section of ascent, with fine views across the coastal plain and back towards Laroque. The path passes beside steep cliffs before continuing alongside and then behind them.

Emerge at a crossroads of paths and turn left. The path straight ahead leads towards Pic d’Aureille (499m), while the path to the right descends towards Font dels Simiots.

Contour through the woods and eventually descend past a picnic bench to meet the piste crossed earlier.

Turn right along the piste, passing Font de la Vernosa. Continue towards the head of the valley, where the Roca Vella stream forms a pretty natural pool. Allow approximately 1 hour 40 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes from the start to this point, depending on pace.

Continue along the piste, ignoring the paths branching off, until after approximately 10 minutes you reach a path descending on the left, signed for Laroque.

Shortly afterwards, look for the large ice well (pou de gel) a few yards to the right of the path. This historic structure was used to store packed snow and ice for use during the warmer months.

Contour around the hillsides, gradually descending and crossing several tributaries of the main river. These crossings are normally straightforward, but one or more can become awkward after heavy rain. The route is therefore best avoided in or immediately after periods of very wet weather.

The descent is rocky in places and good walking footwear is essential. Fine viewpoints open up as you continue along the hillside.

Further down, ignore the steep path descending into the valley and signed for Laroque. Continue on the same gradient and in the same direction until you emerge beside a renovated Mas.

Pass the gates of the Mas and continue straight down the piste, ignoring the track to the right. Soon reach a left-hand bend in the piste. There are two options:

a) Turn left towards the small reservoir, where this route joins the common section used by several Laroque walks. At the reservoir, turn right and immediately left onto the path with the canalisation alongside it. This leads past the Moulin de la Pave and back towards the centre of Laroque.

b) Continue straight through the summer gardens and take the flight of steps down into the village.

Follow the narrow streets back to the car park. If time allows, explore the castle and old fortified village before enjoying refreshments at one of the village cafés, bars or restaurants.

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