The "Minerals Circuit" (Corneilla - Villefranche)
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Walk 2 - The "minerals circuit" (Corneilla - Villefranche) Duration: 4h45 - 5h15 (plus Waymarks: yellow, yellow-and- (3) An open area ("Ambulla") with footpath signs - 1h35 - stops) white altitude 711m (Plus 20m for an optional Difference in altitude between Here, turn left and re-enter the woodland, heading in the direction section to the "Bergerie highest and lowest points: of Villefranche. The path which you now follow was known as the Romane" and to a viewpoint 320 metres "Manganese Way" (men extracted the mineral from a nearby over the Têt valley) You climb in total: 570 metres quarry, and women carried it down to the valley). The path Distance: 10.6 km Level: Quite demanding descends gently and eventually reaches a path junction. There, Suitable at all times of the continue straight ahead (the path on the right returns to Corneilla year via an abandoned hilltop fort). Lower down, where the path becomes stony, there are views Emergency telephone number: 112 (or 15) towards Fort Libéria and the Villefranche railway station. Towards Weather forecast (in French): 08 99 71 02 66 the bottom of the valley, the path crosses the Bohère canal. It Tourist office, 2 rue de la chapelle, Vernet-les-Bains: then reaches the N116 road. Cross that road with great care. (00 33) (0)4 68 05 55 35 Website: www.vernet-les-bains.fr Villefranche de Conflent - 2h15 - altitude 450m This fortified medieval village is now part of a UNESCO World Types of waymark*: Confirmation waymark Heritage Site. GR - national long-distance Turn left You can either walk through the village, from the Porte de France path Turn right to the Porte d'Espagne, or you can bypass Villefranche by walking GRP - regional long-distance Do not follow this route alongside the N116, under the walls of the town. path (* Copyright symbols of the Either way, continue alongside the N116 for a short distance PR (Labellisé) - registered local Fédération française de la beyond Villefranche, then, near the turning for the road to Fuilla path randonnée pédestre) and Sahorre (the D6), take a waymarked path on the left that PR - other local path enters woodland and winds up a steep hillside. It is a long climb to ROUTE DESCRIPTION the top of the hill. Take care on the stony and sometimes exposed sections. Start: Sainte Mairie church, Corneilla de Conflent (12th-13th century) - 0h00 - altitude 570m (04) Plateau - 3h40 - altitude 755m Take the path at the back of the church. It descends steeply to the On reaching a semi-open area, your path lies straight ahead. Fillols river. Cross the footbridge there and climb the rocky, But, first, you may like to visit the remains of the small Badabanys sunken lane on the other side. tower (10m there-and-back, on the left) and the large Badabanys This ancient path linked the villages of Corneilla and Ria Sirach. It tower (15m there-and-back, on the right). These medieval towers was also a route which was taken by talc-filled wagons, hauled by were used to relay signals. The large one has a kind of well in the animals. centre and is marked on maps as "Citerne Vauban", after the 17th On emerging into open ground, bear slightly to the left and pass century military architect who had the tower pulled down. through a small gate (don't forget to shut it). Follow the path up The path leads downhill, past a former red marble quarry. Shortly the hillside to Roc Ample. On the way, you pass, on the left, two afterwards, the path joins a jeep track which winds down to an stone “orris” (stone cabins). open area with a dolmen. During the descent you have marvellous (1) Roc Ample - 0h35 - altitude 704m views over the Cady valley and towards Canigou. At the path fork here, turn left, in the direction of Villefranche de (05) - Dolmen - 4h15 - altitude 628m Conflent. Climb to a stone building, now in ruins. Go to the right of At the dolmen, turn left. Your path winds downhill; take care on that building and follow the path up to a grassy plateau. Follow the steep sections. the path as it winds across the plateau, passing on the way the In the open area at the bottom of the hill, you meet a tarmacked ruins of another building, next to a spring. lane. Turn right and follow that lane in the direction of Corneilla- (2) Open plateau - 0h55 - altitude 781m de-Conflent. Follow the path on the left to a terrace. From here, you have a You cross the River Cady, then the River Saint-Vincent. Eventually magnificent view down to the Cady Valley and Villefranche, and you reach the main road through the valley (the D116 - watch out across to the Coronat and Tres Estelles Massifs. for motor vehicles). Cross that road, pass through the village and Retrace your steps to the path junction and continue straight arrive at the place de l'église ("plaça de la Republica"). ahead, towards a large disused talc quarry. The path winds Arrive back at the Sainte Mairie church, Corneilla de Conflent - downhill and meets a track under a power line. Turn right and 4h45 follow that track. At a track fork, turn left. A little further along, Tag your best photos turn left again and follow a stony path. In the woodland, meet Mountain code of conduct #vernetlesbains on instagram Respect fauna and flora another path. See photos on our facebook For the main route, turn right. Keep to waymarked routes Carry out all your litter page. (For an optional additional section, turn left. After a short distance, Act in accordance with signs and "Like" us by scanning the QR code opposite or by visiting us turn left again to visit the Cabane d'En Bullas (“Bergerie Romane”). notices Go well equipped. Wear walking on facebook at Return to the track and follow it to the left. The track becomes a facebook.com/officedetourisme path, and that path goes up to another wonderful viewpoint, over shoes or boots, and carry some drinking water devernetlesbains Villefranche and the Têt valley. Retrace your steps.) Leave gates and fences as you The path continues downhill and eventually reaches an open area find them where it meets the main track over the plateau. (This track links Make no unnecessary noise Check the weather forecast Corneilla de Conflent and Ria Sirach). Bear left and follow that Don't light fires track. You soon reach: June 2014 Please copy any corrections, criticisms or comments to: [email protected] .