Walk 11 - The Tour de Goa circuit

Duration: 4h00 - 4h30 (plus stops) Eventually, you reach another path junction (6). Turn right. Distance: 9 km Scramble up the rocky path, and emerge onto an open Waymarks: yellow; yellow-and-red ridge. Difference in altitude between highest and lowest points: (7) Pic de la Pena - 1h25 - altitude 1062m 610 metres A fabulous viewpoint over the Cady and Rotja valleys and You climb in total: 690 metres towards . Level: Fairly hard Follow the path along the ridge, heading south. You climb There is a steep climb to the Pic de la Pena. In the summer, and descend a number of times, passing the it is best to start early in the morning. Avoid very hot Pic de la Falguerosa (altitude 1120m), the Pic de la Riudera periods. It is essential to take a sun hat, sunglasses and (1190m) and another summit, at 1203m. plenty of drinking water. The walk crosses land often grazed by livestock. (8) Junction with the return path - 2h20 At a col just before the final climb to the tower, pass Emergency telephone number: 112 (or 15) through a gate and go straight ahead towards the: Weather forecast (in French): 08 99 71 02 66 Tourist office, 2 rue de la chapelle, Vernet-les-Bains: (9) Tour de Goa - 2h30 - altitude 1268m (00 33) (0)4 68 05 55 35 A viewpoint of superlative quality, with a viewfinder a little

Website: www.vernet-les-bains.fr way beyond the tower. Retrace your steps to the col (10) below the tower. Types of waymark (Copyright symbols of the Fédération There, take the footpath on the left.

française de la randonnée pédestre): At a path fork about 200m along the path, continue straight GR - national long-distance path ahead (the path on the left descends to Sahorre). GRP - regional long-distance path The path traverses the side of the hill, descending for most

PR (Labellisé) - registered local path of the way. Take care where it is stony and/or steep, and PR - other local path where it may be slippery. Confirmation waymark Turn left (11) Col des Manchas - 3h10 - altitude 941m Here, you pass through a gate, and the path becomes a Turn right Do not follow this route track. At first, it is on the level. Then you bear left to descend to: ROUTE DESCRIPTION (12) Junction at the Pla d’Amont - 3h20 Bear right here and follow a track that is indicated by Start: Casino car park - 0h00 - altitude 660m yellow-and-red waymarks. Follow these waymarks almost Follow yellow waymarks and pass in front of the Casino and all the way back to Vernet. the Hôtel du Portugal. (Both were built in 1882. Admire also Just after the track re-enters woodland, take a path on the some nearby majestic trees.) left. When you meet the track again, at a sharp turn in the Just before the Etablissement Thermal, search for a stone track, follow the track as it descends and bends to the left. staircase on the right (1). Go up the stairs and pass behind After the bend, turn right onto a path that goes down into the Hôtel du Portugal. the woodland. After a few minutes you meet the path that Just after a footbridge, you reach a path fork (2). The path you followed on the way up (4). on the left climbs very steeply to the "Pena", but you take Further down, at the "Riu" path junction (13), take the path the path on the right, following a sign for the "circuit de la on the right (yellow waymarks), signposted "Les Thermes". Tour de Goa". From here, retrace your steps back to the start of the walk. On arriving at a tarmac lane just before a camp site, bear left and follow that lane uphill. After passing through the Arrive back at the Casino car park - 4h00 entrance to a private property, turn right, along a grassy terrace. Then bear left to go down some steps. At a path junction ("Riu") (3), you join the "Ronde du Mountain code of conduct Tag your best photos Canigó". Turn left and now follow yellow-and-red Respect fauna and flora #vernetlesbains on instagram Keep to waymarked routes waymarks. Carry out all your litter See photos on our facebook At a path fork (4), go straight ahead (again following a sign Act in accordance with signs and page. for the "circuit de la Tour de Goa"). You are now following notices "Like" us by scanning the QR yellow waymarks again. Go well equipped. Wear walking code opposite or by visiting us At another path fork (5), go right. (The path on the left, shoes or boots, and carry some on facebook at now little used, would take you back to the Etablissement drinking water facebook.com/officedetouris Leave gates and fences as you medevernetlesbains Thermal.) find them You climb even more steeply for some distance. On the Make no unnecessary noise June 2014 way, you have views towards Vernet, , Coronat, , Check the weather forecast etc. Don't light fires Please copy any corrections, criticisms or comments to: [email protected]