The walk starts steeply before relaxing to a gentle gradient with good views towards the Canigou massif, which today was engulfed in cloud, pictured top.
The chapel, also pictured, was renovated fairly recently (finished in 2008) and is on a site that affords fine views to the Perpignan coastal area and to the route of GR10, the trans Pyrenean path I walked last year. I did this stretch under a blue sky on day 58, when similar pictures were posted but in rather brighter conditions - not that I have any complaints about today's ideal walking weather.
After lunch at Julio's bench we continued along a well built path past giant bellflowers towards the GR10 path, which we joined before its final ascent over Col de Paracolls. On the way we diverted to a 'Grand Battery' a high point of 887 metres with panoramic views and a well constructed platform from which to carry out the functions of a 'Grand Battery', presumably constructed at around the same time as nearby 19th century forts.
When we got down the steep GR10 descent path - my first time on this particular section of GR10 - we found Arles-sur-Tech to be rather deserted. Sue and I did however find somewhere for a pot of tea, whilst the others dashed off to catch a bus back to Amélie. They were disappointed. It's Ascension Day. The bus wasn't running. So after a bit of faffing they joined us for the walk back to the cars.
A supermarket visit provided another excellent home cooked dinner.
3 comments:
Looks like you all had a fabulous week. What a way to unwind after the rigours of the challenge. Not a single Renault tractor either.
Yes Alan, a brilliant way to unwind, with no frantic agenda as we know we'll be back.
I'll be back on the tractor case soon, but giving it a break on this trip (I don't recall seeing very many!).
Just off on another short local walk.
Have fun
M
Weather looks a bit more pleasant than Snowdonia has been this week :-)
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