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CERDAGNE EXPLORER

Highlights

Picturesque and varied Pyrenees landscapes with beautiful mountains, deep blue lakes and dramatic gorges. Historic sites with several chapels and churches and the citadel of Mont Louis, classed as a world heritage site.

Destinations

France

Budget

From $250 per person

All highlights

On this self-guided walking holiday in the Pyrenees of southern France you’ll be exploring the Cerdagne, a picturesque plateau, lying at 6000ft up in the French Pyrenees. It is a delectable landscape scoured and shaped by Ice Age glaciers leaving behind deep ravines, rocky knolls and an array of beautiful mountain lakes, surrounded by imposing mountains including the Pic Carlit at almost 3000m or 10,000ft. Pine forests and pasture are omnipresent at lower altitudes whilst higher up alpine meadows flourish with an array of wild flowers including gentians, anemones and orchids. The Cerdagne plateau had been contested for centuries between France and Spain until the treaty of the Pyrenees in the 17th century fixed a border across the mountains. The citadel of Mont-Louis was built as a safeguard to protect the border and is an austere and imposing structure. The area is also known for its quaint villages and Romanesque churches with the most unusual being La Merquita, a tiny and beautiful church with three apses in clover-leaf shape. This self-guided walking holiday in southern France is designed to be accessible and interesting to both occasional walkers and experienced trekkers alike. There is plenty of time to enjoy the changing countryside in a spot reputed for its sunny climate, as well as taking advantage of the natural springs giving warm open-air pools to relax and rejuvenate tired muscles. Those who are looking to increase the challenge, can make the pilgrimage to the summit of the highest mountain in the Eastern Pyrenees, the Pic Carlit. Holiday Profile .

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival

Arrive at Latour de Carol and short transfer to your hotel in Angoustrine.. .

Day 2: Angoustrine - Saillagouse

From outside your hotel, your route climbs to the pretty village of Dorres with a lovely panoramic view as you pass Belloch Church. After the trail descends to the Cerdan Plateau, and on easy ground, passes through a landscape of pasture and small copses. You'll pass through the Spanish enclave of Lliva; a small bit of Spanish territory entirely surrounded by France. You'll pass through several typical traditional mountain hamlets on your way to Saillagouse, an important local centre. There is the possibility to shorten the day's walk by taking the yellow train from the station at Ur to Saillagouse. (cost about 6 euros per person).. Overnight: Saillagouse, Walk: 4 or 6hrs, +/- 400-450m . .

Day 3: Saillagouse - Mont Louis

Today, you approach the mountains on the slopes of Puigmal, the second highest summit in the eastern Pyrenees. At the start of your walk, you can swim in the natural hot spring at Llo, at the entrance to the Segre gorge. After a series of small ascents and descents, your path traverses a delightful pine forest, before descending to the citadel at Mont Louis, classed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Night at a hotel with spa treatments.. Overnight: Mont Louis, Walk: 4hrs, +550m, -250m . .

Day 5: Mont Louis - Les Bouillouses

From your hotel, your day's walk traverses the citadel designed by Vauban and follows a secluded stream alternating between sombre pines and beautiful flower-filled meadows, to arrive at lake Pradeilla. This is the first of several mountain lakes in this delightful spot sheltered below rocky summits. Night in lakeside hotel.. Overnight: Les Bouillouses, Walk: 4hrs 45, +500 m ; - 200 m . .

Day 6: Tour from Les Bouillouses

A tour which allows you to enjoy the vast array of beautiful mountain lakes that decorate this upland plateau encircled by immense granite peaks. At Estany de Vallel you have the possibility of ascending the highest summit in the region, the Pic Carlit at 2921m.. Overnight: Les Bouillouses, Walk: 2 hrs 40 or 6 h, +/- 300 m or +/-950 m . .

Day 7: Les Bouillouses - Angoustrine

An enjoyable descent by the Angoust Valley to reach the isolated chapel of Saint Martin d'Envalls. Possibility to go to the open air sulphur pools at Dorres. Tour ends on your return to Angoustrine where there is the possibility to book an extra night. .. Walk: 4 hrs 30 (or 6 h), + 100m, - 700m . . Extra night possible in Angoustrine. . .

Prices

Price per person	2 pers	4 pers	6 pers	8 pers
Price per adult	$250	$180	$160	$150
Price per kid	$130	$90	$80	$80

Services

Included:

6 nights accommodation in 2 star hotels
All breakfasts and evening meals during the holiday
Luggage transported between hotels
Short transfer from Latour de Carol to hotel
Detailed walking notes including information about the region and sites and walking map

Excluded:

Travel to the train station at Latour de Carol
Lunches
Drinks during the day and to accompany evening meals
Entrance fees to sites and hot pools
Ticket for yellow train on day 2 (if used)

Optional:

Extra Nights
City Breaks
Tailor-made trips

Receive a free quote from your local travel agency within 48 hours by e-mail. No obligation to purchase.

Pauline Mathieu

travel expert: France & Scotland

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