Peak of San Cristau

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Hiking to explore ruins of San Cristau and an old chapel transformed into a refuge

Discover the ruins of San Cristau and the old chapel with beautiful view of the Roussillon plain and the Spanish side of the Albères

2 points of interest

Cultural heritage
Castle of Montesquieu
Feudal castle built by the lords of Sant Cristau, who then took the name of Montesquieu, dates back to 1080. The central dungeon houses the former home of the lord which was later backed a vaulted room which was the subject of a restoration. The enclosure wall to protect the whole measures nearly 12 meters high. A breathtaking view awaits you!
Peak
Puig Sant Cristau
At an altitude of 1015 meters above sea level, Puig Sant-Cristau is no exception for hikers from the plains. Important theater of the decisive battles of the War of Roussillon (1794), its ways are still marked by history. You find at the top a chapel which dominates at 360 ° the Plaine du Roussillon, the Massif du Canigou and the Mediterranean Sea. Do not miss this impressive landscape!

Description

From the city hall carpark go up the main street to the fountain St Cristau.

Go around the fountain on your right, then ascend the little street and turn left immediately. At the end of Saint Christophe street, take the marked path brings you opposite to the botanical trail.
After about 100 meters, at a crossroad, turn right on wooden steps, and continue to walk on the botanical path.
Join the track upstream and turn left to reach the basin. Leave to the left of the massif along the stream toward the Coll de Llinas.
Leave the track and continue on the path that goes up sharply in front of you. At the Col de Branca, leave the track to take a right on the path that goes to the Pic San Cristau and the Chapel.
Start back down to the northwest by a path to the track then take right and continue in this direction to the captured water source.
In a bend, leave the trail to take a path through the beech forest.
Cross a track towards a cistern, then in a bend, re-cross that track a second time to descend on a steep path to the Collada d'en Godo.
Climb up a few meters, bypass the masonry pillar and reach the trail.
Take the botanical trail to come back to Montesquieu-des-Albères, the final point of your hike.

Departure : City hall carpark
Arrival : City hall carpark
Towns crossed : MONTESQUIEU DES ALBERES and VILLELONGUE DELS MONTS

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

You enjoy nature, You like it, take care of it...

Along the hiking trail, rubbish bins are at your disposal.
Every month over tens of thousands of hikers and walkers visit this exceptional site. Please do not litter and use the rubbish bins (glass, plastic, rubbish etc...). Also, please dispose of any litter you might find along the trail.
Help keep this site clean with simple yet essential gestures. Lets give back to nature what nature gave us

Access and parking

On the RD 618 take the direction of the village of Montesquieu.

Parking :

City hall carpark or some parking places in the village