Les Balcons d'Argelès (mountain bike)

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Loop for sportsmen !

A difficult level course to test your physical abilities. Several trails connected by rolling parts, a descent on a cleared trail and exceptional views of Argelès-sur-Mer and the Roussillon plain.

2 points of interest

Cultural heritage
Château de Valmy
An amazing space leaning against the Albères, embracing the vineyards and the Mediterranean: welcome to the Château de Valmy. Art Nouveau style, it is the work of the Danish architect Viggo Petersen. It is Pierre Bardou, a Peruvian industrialist creator of the brand JOB, who controls this castle for his daughter Jeanne from 1888 to 1900. His descendants are still owners of the castle. They relaunched the wine business and created guest rooms at the Château. Go check it out !
History
Stèle of airmen
This place of memory pays tribute to the airmen who disappeared in the plane crash of June 6, 1957. That day, at dawn, a banal exercise mission ended in drama when the plane hit the flank of the mountain. With the shock the plane caught fire, burning the mountain “l’ Albèra” at the same time. Six men perished in the flames. The restoration of this monument in June 2017 prevents this place to being forgotten and to continue to live in collective memory.

Description

View from above of Argelès-sur-Mer. You will successively reach the heights of Argelès-sur-Mer following these different levels.

At the ford, take the path on the left. After a hundred yards, you’ll encounter your first difficulty, a steep climb leads you to a hillside on this first part of the course. The first ten minutes are very hard. Don’t give up now ! At the top of this slope, proceed down on 3 kms to before a little forward thrust until the fork of the Mas Cristine.
The fork of Mas Cristine is a passage from the path to a paved road of 300 mètres long . It’s also the last soft passage before the beginning of the principal climb to the basin. At the end of this road take the path DFCI. From this point, be patient, the next three kilometers will be easier.
You will reach the highest point of this bike ride at the basin . There are yet a few difficulties before the long descent to Valmy. Continue on the right side of the basin. For the more daring, the trail continues straignt ahead for 2 kms towards the Col de la Place d'Armes. Be careful , at the end of the path, it’s necessary to carry the bike to get to the “Tour de la Massane”.

4. In the descent, do not miss the hairpin bend. This point is ideal for a souvenir photo. After all of your hard work, it is well deserved

Departure : Valmy’ carpark (mountain bike)
Arrival : Valmy’ carpark (base mountain bike)
Towns crossed : ARGELES SUR MER

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

Follow the signs (montain bike) red color n°3

Access and parking

Direct access by RD 914: Exit Château de Valmy