HIKES AND WALKS FROM AMÉLIE-LES-BAINS PALALDA
Discover all the walking routes of your Thermal and Climatic resort.
"Hikes & Walks" is offered to you by the city of Amélie-les-Bains-Palalda. The selected circuits will allow you to discover the territory through an exceptional nature and heritage.
Numerous marked trails, for all people and all levels are possible with a drop of 30 to 485 meters. The circuits borrow exceptional natural spaces and historic places remarkable from all points of view. The pure and invigorating air as well as the many sunny days (210 days a year) make hiking possible throughout the year. The various mountain or trail races, the many hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, road or electric bike rides make it possible to satisfy all the desires of fans of the great outdoors. All you have to do is put on your sneakers and explore the history of Amélie-les-Bains-Palalda and its beautiful surrounding nature.
All these circuits borrow exceptional natural spaces: In order to help us in our protection of the environment, respect the fragile spaces, where many plant and animal species live.
The Walks & Hikes guide is available at the reception of the Tourist Office of Amélie-les-Bains Palalda.
HIKES FROM AMÉLIE-LES-BAINS PALALDA
THE SANTA ENGRACIA CHAPEL
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COURSE: 8.2 KM ROUND-TRIP DURATION: 3 HOURS LEVEL: MEDIUM ELEVATION: 480 METERS
This hike offers a panorama of the valley, Fort-les-Bains, the Mondony.
ROUTE:
Leaving from the Micro-Folie (22 av du Vallespir), walk down Avenue du Vallespir, then turn right into the alley of the former Hôpital Thermal des Armées (lined with plane trees).
Cross the footbridge and take the direction of the spa establishment. Climb the concrete ramp towards the Fort. Take the path on the right towards the tarmac road. Fork on the left to pass in front of the fountain of La Madone then take the 25th Léger path towards the Santa Engracia Chapel. After going along a fence, climb the stairs and cross the road. The path goes up gradually. Always keep to the right. At the crossroads turn left towards Chapel of Santa Engracia, after 20 m, make a short return trip to the left until the panorama of the cross. Then continue to the Santa Engracia Chapel, the Source and the orientation table. The return is done by the same route. A variation is possible via the "Petite Batterie" Go up the tarmac road for 300 meters and descend by the path leading to Escaldadou (oldest district of Amélie).
AMÉLIE-LES-BAINS - MONTALBA BY THE FLAG
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COURSE: 10 KM ROUND-TRIP DURATION: 3 HOURS LEVEL: MEDIUM ELEVATION: 480 METERS
This hike leads to the picturesque village of Montalba, in the heart of the Mondony valley.
ROUTE:
Departure in front of the Micro-Folie (22 av du Vallespir), go down avenue du Vallespir, continue to the end of avenue du Général de Gaulle. At the entrance to the car park, take the climb up Chemin Can Pastou and turn right. The path runs along the great wall of the Former Hôpital Thermal des Armées. The path is gullied. The markings are yellow, however blue markings are visible all along the ascent to Montalba corresponding to the "Vallespir Skyrace" mountain race which follows the same route. Arrived at the small pass, the path is divided into three.
Important: do not take Roc de France via Can Felix.
Continue for 10 meters, possibility of going as far as the Drapeau and enjoying a magnificent panoramic view. To do this, continue for 50 m on your right. At the small fork, continue left for 200 m until the Drapeau. Come back to the crossroads and take the right path. The path continues on the mountainside for a few kilometers and ends in a bend (tarmac road). Go down 300 m on the road to the Riubanys bridge. In summer, swimming under this bridge is very pleasant. Take the path on the left before the bridge towards Montalba and its church. Return by the same route. It is possible to return by road to the junction of the Drapeau trail or to return by road to Amélie.
THE MONDONY POOL
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ROUTE: 5.2 KM ROUND-TRIP DURATION: 2 HOURS LEVEL: MEDIUM ELEVATION: 240 METERS
This hike leads to a natural swimming pool which allows you to relax in the heart of nature.
Between 1 July and 31 August, attendance is higher on weekdays than at weekends, with the 3pm to 5pm slot remaining the most popular.
ROUTE:
Departure in front of the Micro-Folie (22 av du Vallespir). Go up the rue des Thermes to the Roman Baths. Pass in front of the Hôtel des Gorges and take the stairs crossing the typical houses of Escaldadou (the oldest district of Amélie). The path then plunges into a forest of chestnut trees, then holm oaks to join the road to Montalba after a quarter of an hour of ascent. Go up the Montalba road for 200 meters, then take the Mondony path on the left, which descends for 20 minutes to the natural swimming pool. The return takes the same path that leads to Escaldadou. A half-course variant leads to the source of Monjolet, renowned for its sodium sulphide water known to treat psoriasis and eczema. From the source, the path descends towards the Roman Baths and the city center.
MONTBOLO BY LA RODELLA
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ROUTE: 10,6 KM-LOOP DURATION: 3 HOURS 30' LEVEL: MEDIUM ELEVATION: 480 METERS
This hike leads you to the village of Montbolo with a panoramic view on Amélie-les-Bains and the village of Palalda.
ROUTE:
Departure In front of the Micro-Folie (22 av du Vallespir) go down the Vallespir avenue turn to the left on the pedestrian street (street Dr Bouix) and cross the Tech (Casino bridge). Take left on "Boulevard de la Petite Provence" and follow the route "Voie Verte". At 2.35 km leave "Voie Verte" to climb a parallel path on the right. Climb the right stairs "La Rodella". Keep going to climb the gentle slope (on the left) and, 40 m further, take right, this time. (Arrow "Montbolo").
Join the village by the road. Go down at the right in the direction of the church (Impasse des Albères). In the center of Montbolo, start the descent of the GRP arrow "Palalda". Cross the road, then turn to the left at the level of a fork 80 m further (Arrow "Palalda"). For the second time cross the road, then 100 m further walk along the clinic "Al Sola". At Palalda follow the indication "Mairie, Eglise", then at the bottom of a very steep slope, the General de Gaulle street. Get down on the little streets of Palalda to arrive on "Quai du Tech".
Finish the hike walking along the banks of the Tech on your right.
THE FLAG
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ROUTE: 4,7 KM ROUND-TRIP DURATION: 2 HOURS LEVEL: MEDIUM ELEVATION: 282 METERS
This hike offers a view of the vertiginous gorges of Mondony, the Tech valley and Amélie-les-Bains.
ROUTE:
In front of the Micro-Folie, go down the avenue du Vallespir to the left. Go over the small bridge that spans the Mondony and take the Avenue du Général de Gaulle.
At the entrance to the Général de Gaulle car park, take the "Can Pastou" path and turn right. The path runs along the great wall of the Former Hôpital Thermal des Armées. After a long climb, the trail comes to an intersection of several paths. Leave the main climb to turn right twice in a row at a distance of 10 meters signposted "Roc de la Campana / Le Drapeau". Go around a mound on the left. Warning ! This portion of the trail is sometimes steep with 2 to 3 large steps to climb. Arrival at the flag. Then make a U-turn following the same path.
Back at the intersection encountered on the way up, go back down to Amélie-les-Bains by the same route as on the way out.
Back in the city center, enter via the avenue bordering the Tech. At the Casino bridge, take the pedestrian alley on the left (rue du Docteur Bouix).
At the end on the right, take Avenue du Vallespir towards the Micro-Folie.
WALKS FROM AMELIE-LES-BAINS
THE CALVARY OF MONTBOLO
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ROUTE: 4,3 KM ROUND-TRIP DURATION: 1 HOUR LEVEL: EASY ELEVATION: 200 METERS
This walk allows the discovery of a beautiful panorama of Amélie and Palalda.
ROUTE:
When leaving the Tourist Office, go down avenue du Vallespir then take the second street on the left onto the pedestrian street (rue du Dr Bouix). Cross the Casino bridge towards the Dr Bouix war memorial. Take the stairs that will bring you to the road to Montbolo.
After 1.5 km at the old Plâtrières mine, take the path that leads to La Croix. Return by the same route with a possible variation via rue des Cèdres and rue des Genêts d´Or, return by the alleys of boulevard de la Petite Provence.
AMÉLIE-LES-BAINS FOUNTAINS AND WASHING PLACES
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ROUTE: 3,6 KM LOOP DURATION: 1 HOUR 30' LEVEL: EASY ELEVATION: 200 METERS
Walk to discover the fountains, washing places, ponds and the history of Amélie-Les-Bains.
ROUTE:
Departure in front of the Micro-Folie (22av du Vallespir). Take avenue du Vallespir then take the second left, rue du Docteur Bouix. Before the Bridge, turn left onto Quai Georges Bosch. At the corner of the street, discover the old wash house.
Continue on the quay to the Gymnase bridge. Before the traffic light, go down the stairs under the bridge. Walk along the Tech to the sports facilities. On the opposite bank, the Voie Verte runs alongside the swimming pool, the tennis courts, the treetop adventure park and the archery range. The walk continues on the Nordik Walk warm-up route. The path passes between the two stadiums and the magnificent Pitch & Putt golf course, heading towards Arles-sur-Tech. After 500 meters, turn left at the notarial office, go up rue de la Teularie and take Chemin du Fort at the top of the street on the left. The path crosses a forest of holm oaks and leads to the road to Montalba. Descend it for 50 meters then turn right on a path. Go up it for 30 meters and pass in front of the source of the Madonna. Continue on the path for 100 meters and go down to the left. At the next crossroads, turn left for 50 meters until the sign for Amélie. After 100 meters, take a dead end road towards the little place "du Coucou".
Retrace your steps and go down the path that leads, after a few bends at a crossroads. Take on the left and join the source of Monjolet. (Sodium sulphide water, known to treat Psoriasis and Eczema).
Go down the path in the direction of the Thermal Baths and take the street "du Rentador" until the Escaldadou washing place.
Go down the stairs to Place Joffre and Place Arago. Stop in front of the fountain hidden under the marble columns. Go down rue Hermabessière and turn right onto the footbridge of the Ancien Hôpital des Armées. Take the alleys to Place de la République on which there is a last fountain. Go up the few steps to the city center.
PALALDA FOUNTAINS AND WASHING PLACES
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ROUTE: 5,1 KM LOOP DURATION: 1 HOUR 30' LEVEL: EASY ELEVATION: 239 METERS
Walk to discover the fountains, ponds, and the heritage of the village of Palalda.
ROUTE:
Departure in front of the Micro-Folie (22 av du Vallespir). Take rue du Vallespir, avenue du Général de Gaulle, avenue du Général Leclerc until rue du pont Romain located 400 meters on the left. Cross the footbridge and admire the remains of the old Roman Bridge on the right. Walk along the Tech by taking the Route du Vieux Pont, then the Quai du Tech as far as the village of Palalda.
After the pétanque court, do not miss the circular stone, vestige of an old water mill ... Continue towards a large fountain called "La Costa". Go up the concrete slab “Carrer del Serrat” for 50 meters and turn right. This small passage leads to the Pages fountain, its picnic area, its wash house ...
Return to the city center and take a walk in the historic heart of the village of Palalda, visit its church, discover its crafts. Plan a stop at the Café des Sports and admire the panoramic view of Amélie. Walk down Avenue Général de Gaulle to the washhouse.
Retrace your steps and after 50 meters, descend to the right and take "Carrer del Serrat and Carrer del Riberou" along part of the Jaubert Canal, created in 1760 to water the fields and gardens. Go around the gardens to reach Amélie via the Quai du Tech and the Route du Vieux Pont towards the Pont du Casino and the city center.
THE VILA BY THE GREENWAY
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ROUTE: 10 KM ROUND-TRIP DURATION: 2 HOURS LEVEL: EASY ELEVATION: 100 METERS
This walk takes the old railway line with its magnificent bridges overhanging the Tech.
ROUTE:
When leaving the Micro-Folie (22 av du Vallespir), go down avenue du Vallespir then take the second street on the left onto the pedestrian street (rue du Dr Bouix). After the Casino bridge, take the road towards Palalda.
Cross the old Roman bridge on the right in front of the fire station: the promenade des Chênes Verts, Cami del Ocells. Continue on the road to reach the supermarket, then follow the Voie Verte sign.
Continue the walk on the greenway. Cross three viaducts and a tunnel during this walk. Possibility to go to Céret and return by the same route or by bus.
THE AMELIAN NECROPOLIS
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ROUTE: 1,5 KM ROUND-TRIP DURATION: 0 HOUR 30' LEVEL: EASY ELEVATION: 100 METERS
This walk joins the Amélienne necropolis, “little Père Lachaise”.
ROUTE:
In front of the Micro-Folie (22 av du Vallespir), take rue des Thermes. 150 m further on, turn right into rue de l'église.
Go up the street for 100 m, arriving at the entrance to the Amélienne necropolis. After having visited the place, take the upper exit of the cemetery.
Go up the stairs to the left of the exit and always go down Avenue Fort-les-Bains to the left, as far as Place Arago. Direction rue Castellane, cross the footbridge. On the right, magnificent view of the Thermes and Gorges du Mondony. Pass in front of the war memorial of the former Hôpital Thermal des Armées.
Go down the alley and turn left onto Avenue du Vallespir. Return to the Micro-Folie.
THE EQUESTRIAN CENTER
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ROUTE: 3,8 KM LOOP DURATION: 1 HOUR 15' LEVEL: EASY ELEVATION: 100 METERS
This walk passes under the medieval village of Palalda.
ROUTE:
When leaving the Micro-Folie (22 av du Vallespir), go down avenue du Vallespir then take the second street on the left onto the pedestrian street (rue du Dr Bouix).
After the Casino bridge, take the 1st right, route du Vieux Pont, then Quai du Tech. Follow the Quai du Tech to the equestrian center.
Go up the road to Camp de Las Basses, passing the rural lodges in the direction of the Pagès fountain. Arrival in the village of Palalda.
Possibility of returning down the narrow streets of Palalda which lead to the banks of the Tech or by the departmental road of the Col du Fourtou towards Amélie.
THE RIVEMALE PATH
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ROUTE: 4,8 KM ROUND-TRIP DURATION: 1 HOUR 15' LEVEL: EASY ELEVATION: 30 METERS
This walk offers a view of the opposite bank of the Tech.
ROUTE:
When leaving the Micro-Folie (22 av du Vallespir), go down avenue du Vallespir then take the second street on the left onto the pedestrian street (rue du Dr Bouix).
After the Casino bridge, turn left onto Boulevard de la Petite Provence.
At the roundabout cross to discover the blocks of Gneiss. Retrace his steps and continue the walk along the Tech. Pass in front of the swimming pool, the Forest Aventure park, the tennis courts.
Follow the Voie Verte via Chemin de Rivemale to the "Le Pla du Bernadou" housing estate. Return by the same route.
