Hikes on the balconies of Banyuls and Collioure

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 6

  Banyuls - Collioure - End of the stay

  

  Transfer to Collioure after breakfast; free visit of Collioure, then transfer to Perpignan station for those who came by train. Transfer: private vehicle, about 1 hour. Meals included: breakfast. Meals not included: lunch - dinner.

• day 1

  Banyuls

  

  Go directly to your hotel in Banyuls at 5 p.m. or, for those arriving by train, to the Perpignan SNCF station for a transfer to the hotel. A short briefing from your guide about the week, then a first discovery of the town with them, along the beach and the typical alleys of old Banyuls. Transfer: private vehicle, about 30 minutes. Accommodation: character guesthouse or 3-star hotel, depending on the chosen option. Meals included: dinner. Meals not included: breakfast - lunch.

• day 2

  Banyuls - Vinaigrerie de la Guinelle - Cap Béar - Banyuls

  

  Departure on foot from Banyuls through the small typical alleys of the old town, then along the small winding paths through the Banyuls vineyards. A little later, we overlook the town and the Mediterranean and reach, still among the vineyards and some pine groves, the Guinelle vinegar factory. Visit of the establishment and tasting of the famous Banyuls vinegars, red or white, as well as the old Banyuls vinegar. Then continue through the small village of Cospron and the Paulilles beach to discover Cap Béar, a splendid land projection into the sea, dominated by its lighthouse whose first construction dates back to 1836. Return to Banyuls along the coast, by the small balcony path offering superb views of the Mediterranean. Walking time: about 4 hours. Positive elevation gain: + 300 m Negative elevation gain: - 300 m. Accommodation: character guest house or *** hotel, depending on the chosen formula. Meals included: breakfast - lunch (picnic) - dinner.

• day 3

  Banyuls - Querroig Tower (672 m) - Puig Joan (430 m) - Banyuls

  

  Short transfer to the border pass with Spain; then departure along the ridge by the small path lined with holm oaks, rockroses, and Kermes oaks. We will pass by some dolmens, witnesses of a distant past... The view of the sea and the small Catalan villages of Cerbère and Portbou is magnificent. The path continues along a slightly steep slope for a few meters and brings us to the Querroig tower, a vestige of the Romanesque period dating from the year 985 and part of the defense of the Kings of Majorca in the 14th century. The panorama there is exceptional, with a 360° view over the coast, Catalonia, and the Canigou range. With the sea as a backdrop and breathtaking views of the coast and Banyuls, descent towards Puig Joan (430 m), a true viewpoint over the Mediterranean, the vineyards below, and Banyuls. Continue descending to the coll de la Creu then, among the vineyards, arrival in Banyuls. Walking time: about 5 hours. Positive elevation gain: + 420 m. Negative elevation loss: - 670 m. Accommodation: charming guest house or ***hotel, depending on the chosen option. Meals included: breakfast - lunch (picnic) - dinner.

• day 4

  Banyuls - Cerbère - Return to Banyuls by Catalan boat.

  

  Departure from Banyuls on foot, along the coast, in the nature reserve, on the coastal path that sometimes takes us to small secret coves, sometimes to the edges of a few little-frequented beaches, to continue its course atop the cliffs... until reaching the small enclave of the border village of Cerbère. It is a superb hike, with vineyards that seem to cling above the sea, with cliffs that sometimes tower over the shores where the waves come crashing, with its little path lined by prickly pear trees, Scots pines, and rockroses... We will return to Banyuls along the coast, aboard a sailboat... one of the highlights of the stay... magnificent landscapes guaranteed! Return by sailboat: about 2 hours. Walking time: about 3 hours 30 minutes. Positive elevation gain: + 170 m. Negative elevation loss: - 170 m. Accommodation: character guesthouse or ***hotel, depending on the chosen option. Meals included: breakfast - lunch (picnic) - dinner.

• day 5

  Banyuls - Tour Madeloc (650 m) - Banyuls

  

  Short transfer to the Coll dels Gascons (387 m), the starting point of our hike. The famous GR10, which crosses the Pyrenees and ends its journey in Banyuls itself, invites us to follow it for a few meters to access the track leading to the famous Tour Madeloc, a true 13th-century watchtower that watched over the entire coast... The panoramas over the bay of Argelès, Collioure, Banyuls, and Port-Vendres are magnificent! With the Mediterranean and the coastal villages in sight, we descend to Banyuls by the small path that winds sometimes under chestnut groves, sometimes through vineyards, sometimes among prickly pear trees, peach trees, almond trees, and aloes... Along the way, a winemaker will invite us and "tell us" about vine cultivation; he will then take us to Banyuls to visit his cellar and taste the famous Banyuls wine... In the evening, tasting dinner in a good restaurant. Transfer: private vehicle, about 20 minutes. Walking time: about 4 hours. Visit and tasting time: about 1 hour. Positive elevation gain: + 350 m. Negative elevation gain: - 700 m. Accommodation: character guest house or *** hotel, depending on the chosen option. Meals included: breakfast - lunch (picnic) - dinner.