Collioure to Cadaqués Walking Holiday

Day 2 - Collioure to Banyuls

Route Statistics – 14km or 16km, 5 – 6 hours walking, 500 – 700m ascent/descent

After breakfast, the route commences with a walk up to the old windmill, then on up to the fort of St Elme where you can enjoy the panoramic views of the coast, both north and south. From there, you will have two options, along the coast or over the mountains:

The Coastal Walk : you walk down to the typically Catalan and very active Port Vendres, then follow the coast by Cap Bear with its numerous attractive coves and creeks, often featuring vines and delightfully colourful, fragrant flowers. Then Paulilles beach offers an almost irresistible opportunity for a swim and sunbathe before continuing to Banyuls by Cap d’Ullastret with its crystal clear waters and hidden coves.

The Foothills Walk : from the fort you will continue climbing up to the majestic Madeloc Tower through alternating “maquis” and vines, and when you see the breath-taking 360° view running from the Spanish border to the plains of Roussillon you will understand exactly why they built this watchtower here! From here you descend through vineyards and chestnut orchards until you reach Banyuls. A very satisfying walk.

Banyuls is an interesting and historic frontier town, which is also the end of the famous trans-Pyrenean GR10 from the Atlantic to here on the Mediterranean.

Accommodation: 3* Hotel Le Catalan, Banyuls
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 3 - Banyuls to Cerbere

Route Statistics – 9km or 13km, 3 – 5 hours walking, 500 – 700 ascent/descent

Today you can choose from two different walking options again. One option stays close to the coast while the other once again climbs up into the foothills.

The Coastal Walk : you begin by walking right by the sea, but soon up onto the cliffs that form Cap Cerbère with its marine nature reserve (marked by yellow buoys) stretching almost a mile out to sea to protect the consequently numerous fish and many other sea creatures. You pass beautiful coves popular with yachtsmen.

The Foothills Walk : from Banyuls small lanes with ancient stone walls enable you to climb comfortably up through vineyards then “maquis” to enjoy a series of panoramic views of the nearby coast and hills with the higher Pyrenees in the distance, including the nearly 8,500 feet Mount Canigou 30 miles away, which often has snow on its summit right into summer. You walk, however, up to the rather more manageable 2,000 feet close to the signal tower, Tour de Querroig, that marks the frontier before enjoying magnificent sea views as you descend to Cerbere.

Accommodation: 2* Hotel La Vigie, Cerbere
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4 - Cerbere to Llança

Route Statistics – 13 km or 21km (options to shorten both), 4 – 7 hours walking, 350m – 1100m ascent/descent

Today it is possible to shorten each of the main routes by catching the train (pay locally).

The Coastal Walk : you begin by climbing the hill to the ridge with the border. A little after Port-Bou you’ll be walking right by the sea and by « calas », with the beautiful platja Garbet and the coves Cap Ras bordered by pine trees. Arrive in Llança with its white washed houses, which is the main town on the coast.

The Foothills Walk : After a start which is the same as the coastal walk you’ll climb the hills to Puig Tiffel for a wonderful view over Cap de Creus, Emporda, and the sunny Albères. Descend to Llança facing the sea.

Accommodation: 3* Hotel Hotel Gri-Mar, Llança
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner 

Day 5 - Llança – Port de la Selva

Route Statistics – 12 km or 16km, 4 – 5 hours walking, 500-720m ascent/descent

The Coastal Walk : you walk past some impressive architect designed villas to arrive at the Sarnella lighthouse, and soon after the pretty, white village of Port de la Selva offering both vibrancy and tranquility. You can now explore the village, and enjoy all that your characterful, waterside hotel offers, or explore the lovely port of Fornells with its golden cliffs and tiny harbour.

The Foothills Walk : this option leads to the Monastery of San Père de Rodes with an incredible view which is worth the effort. This is a superb route through “maquis”, up hidden valleys and along pilgrim paths to the beautiful small chapel of St Helena, and the imposing monastery of San Père de Rodes from where there are magnificent coastal views including Cape Creus and the white coastal villages, but if you want to climb even higher to San Salvador castle from where you can see the bay of Rosas and the Pyrenees, including, of course, Mount Canigou. Either way, you descend with the blue of the Mediterranean shimmering constantly in front of you in order to arrive at Port de la Selva.

Accommodation: 4* Hotel Porto Cristo, Port de la Selva
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner  

Day 6 - Port de la Selva – Cadaquès

Route Statistics – 20 km or 13km, 4 – 7 hours walking, 450-700m ascent/descent

Today, for the only time this week, the coastal walk is longer than the foothills walk!

The Coastal Walk : great classic, this long passage through the natural park provides a good view of the massif of Cap de Creus to its furthest reaches, where the Pyrenees fall into the sea with a last gasp. Varied, it starts in the middle of historic relics testifying to the remarkable work in dry-stone, before enjoying a feast of amazing geology that influenced Salvador Dali himself. After a deserved rest in a beautiful cove, the climax is reached when you arrive in Cadaques on the beautiful ancient coastal path, lined with stone walls, winding between terraces, with white houses tumbling down to the sea

The Foothills Walk : you climb up out of Port de la Selva, and cross the wild and unspoilt coastal foothills of Cap de Creus, but also visit the particularly beautiful and steep sided Cala Taballera cove. As you cross the cape you will see ancient dry stone shelters among the trees and other natural pleasures of this remarkable landscape. The walk ends with a panoramic descent through stone walls and olive trees to Cadaques, although we would recommend extending it by visiting the Cala Nans lighthouse, not least so as to enjoy the beautiful view of Cadaquès.

Accommodation: 3*Hotel Le Llane Petit
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner 

Day 7 - Depart

After a leisurely breakfast either take your optional transfer to Figueres, Perpignan or Collioure via Figueres and the Dali Museum (1h30 visit) or make your own independent onward travel arrangements. For those looking to add extra nights, there is  a short walk to Cala Nans facing Cadaquès (which is beautiful at sunrise), 2h30, +/-150m.