Notre-Dame du Château hermitage by way of Lavail
ARGELES SUR MER
Notre-Dame du Château hermitage by way of Lavail
Hard
Difficulty4h
Duration9,6km
Distance+668m
Positive Elevation-672m
Negative ElevationCourse type
Network
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This hike allows you to see three chapels and the ridge line between the rocky massif of Les Medes and Ultrera. Beautiful panoramas and beautiful fountain near "La Pave".
1 point of interest
- Cultural heritage
Chapelle de la Pave
The Chapel of the Pave, although simple, is in fact the initial seat of a parish, and therefore of a village. When Roussillon was conquered by the Carolingians, Charlemagne introduced the feudal system. To attract the inhabitants, coming from the North of France but also from the North of Spain, it makes build important abbeys which will spread chapels in all the valleys of Albères. Thus was built St Alexander de la Pave, in 1286.
Description
For this hike follow the PR ARG 5 markings.
- The start of this hike is located on the road which leads to the hamlet of Lavail in the parking area at the foot of the Chapelle Saint-Ferréol de la Pava. Take the path that leads to the chapel. From this site, cross the DFCI-AL track n°27.
- The path opposite passes in front of the Bosc source. The path can be quite technical and steep to reach a chaos of metamorphic rocks.
- At Pic Sant Miquel, panoramic view of the Roussillon plain. Head towards the chapel of the Hermitage of Notre-Dame-du-Château.
- Take the direction of Les Medes, Font del Miracles, Col de l'Aranyo, Col des Trois Hêtres, Les Crêtes
- From the Hermitage, go up towards the Roc de les Medes PR SOR5 hike. The concrete circle on the ground is the former base of the first solar oven (The Padre Himalayan oven) dating from 1900. To discover its history, visit the site of the solar oven (identically reproduced by a scientific community) located at Sorède at Mas del Ca.
- Then take the marked path on the left, after Puig Nalt, which follows the ridges to Roc de les Medes.
- At the junction follow the sign Roc de les Medes, Puig dels Quatres Termes. Cross between 2 rocky peaks. A signposted junction then offers a return to Lavall PV 5bis. Then begin a steep and narrow descent to the Massane river.
- Cross the river at Chapelle St Martin then turn left to find your starting point approximately 2.5km further down.
- Departure : La Pave Chapel
- Arrival : La Pave Chapel
- Towns crossed : ARGELES SUR MER and SOREDE
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
Bring water, cap or hat, walking shoes, windbreaker and snacks.
Check the weather before departure.
Do not stray from marked trails.
Bring back your waste.
Check the weather before departure.
Do not stray from marked trails.
Bring back your waste.
Transport
Access and parking
Take the direction of Hameau de Lavail via the D2 halfway between Sorède and Argelès-sur-mer.
Parking :
Saint-Ferréol de la Pave car park