From the Château de Valmy to Banyuls via Pic Sallfort and the Walter Benjamin Trail.
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From the Château de Valmy to Banyuls via Pic Sallfort and the Walter Benjamin Trail.
ARGELES SUR MER

From the Château de Valmy to Banyuls via Pic Sallfort and the Walter Benjamin Trail.

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The richness of history and landscape.
A stunning hike that allows you to become familiar with some historical elements of the region. Exceptional viewpoints are also part of the experience.

5 points of interest

  • Flora

    Valmy Municipal Park

    This park offers the most beautiful view of the commune and the landscapes of the Pyrénées-Orientales, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea. In this romantic, green 5-hectare setting, you can relax and picnic in the shade of the forest (there’s a playground for children). Discover a walking trail dotted with unique signs that blend natural heritage with the history of the people of this land.

    2024 Opening Dates:
    • February 10 to April 30: daily from 10 am to 6 pm
    • May 1 to September 30: daily from 10 am to 7 pm
    • October 1 to November 3: daily from 10 am to 6 pm
    More informations
  • Dolmen

    Dolmen dels Collets de Cotlliure

    Find this dolmen on the path that connects the Château de Valmy to the Tour de la Massane. The path will lead you first to the Dolmen de la Cova de l'Alarb, then you will arrive directly at the Dolmen del Collets area. Open your eyes and look around. The dolmen is there but in poor condition.
  • Peak

    Torn's Peak

    Peak located at 664 meters altitude.

  • Musée Maillol

    Aristide Maillol did his first work at Banyuls-sur-Mer. The sculptures of female bodies with generous curves, which have been a great success, have been imagined and created here, in his house "La Métairie". Died in 1944, it is in the garden of his house that he rests today, it’s a museum open to the public. We can see his tomb (free access) adorned with the statue of the artist "The Mediterranean".!
  • History

    Lisa and Hans Fittko Memorial

    Lisa Fittko, born Elizabeth Eckstein, was a resistance fighter, writer, and socialist activist, born on August 23, 1909, in Austria-Hungary, and passed away on March 12, 2005, in Chicago. She authored two memoirs about the war in Europe.  

    An anti-fascist activist, she sought to escape to Spain and made her way to Banyuls-sur-Mer, where she helped establish the "F" network (for Fittko), a passage route to Spain that operated until the spring of 1941. This network saved several hundred people, including the philosopher Walter Benjamin, who reached Port Bou. Unfortunately, Benjamin took his own life there. A beautiful memorial dedicated to him is located next to the Port-Bou cemetery.

Description

  1. From the Valmy parking lot, head towards Camping Les Mimosas.
  2.  Before reaching the campsite, take the DFCI AL42 track.  
  3. Follow the direction of the dolmens and spend a few minutes there.  
  4. At this point, turn right.  
  5. At the next junction, turn left.  
  6. At the following junction, turn right, and you will arrive at a picnic table. Continue along the DFCI AL41Ter track.
  7.   Do not turn right towards Col de la Place d'Armes, continue towards Col d'en Verderol (787m) and the Cassagnes spring.
  8. Arrive at Pic de Sailfort (983m).  
  9. Descend towards Pic d'Estella (Freedom Passage) and Pla de les Eres.
  10. After passing the Stèle des Évadés de France (357m), arrive at Col de Banyuls.
  11. Then take the dirt track to the left, which passes in front of the Border Cross 591.
  12.   Continue along the trail which ascends towards Col de Llop and Pic de la Calme, then proceed towards Col del Tourn (Freedom Passage, 606m), Puig Jorda (753m), Col del Teixo, Col des Empedrats, Pla del Ras.
  13. Arrive at Col de Rumpissa, then descend via the rocky trail towards the track, passing by Font del Bana. Continue down this track.
  14.  Begin another steep descent until you reach the foot of an electrical pylon, then cut across a cork oak grove.
  15.  Descend gently until you reach a dirt track. Take the left trail that cuts across the hill.
  16. Arrive at Col del Bast and descend towards Puig del Mas in Banyuls via a cemented track, then a dirt track. Continue on the paved road and cross the dry bed of Vall d'Auger.
  17. Turn right onto Boulevard des Évadés de France. Pass by the Memorial dedicated to Lisza Fittko and Walter Benjamin.  
  18. Continue by crossing the square, turn right, then left.
  19.  Cross the Pont Gris and turn right onto Avenue du Général de Gaulle.  
  20. Follow the "La Baillaury" river for a few dozen meters.  
  21. At the end of the avenue, turn right to reach the Tourist Office.
  • Departure : Valmy Castle
  • Arrival : Tourist Office of Banyuls-sur-mer
  • Towns crossed : ARGELES SUR MER and BANYULS SUR MER

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

Yellow and red and white markings (GR10) on the French side, and Bordeaux markings on the Spanish side.
Bring water, snacks, a cap or hat, a windbreaker, and possibly waterproof clothing. Stay on the marked trails. Respect nature. Take your waste with you. Check the weather forecast before setting out.

Transport

Bus 1€

Access and parking

D914

Parking :

Port parking