Hiking The Vermillion Coast, 8 days

This self-guided hike traverses the steep Mediterranean coastline where the Pyrenees meet the sea, crossing from French to Spanish Catalonia.

Starting in the artistic French village of Collioure, the route follows waymarked trails past vineyards and through fragrant maquis to Banyuls-sur-Mer. Crossing into Spain, it descends to Port-Bou, continues to Llancà, then climbs inland to the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes before descending to Port de la Selva.

The trail becomes more remote within Cap de Creus Natural Park, culminating in the whitewashed town of Cadaqués, near Salvador Dalí’s former home in Port Lligat.

Suitable for seasoned hikers accustomed to daily ascents/descents of ~700 M and distances up to 22km on rocky paths. Requires reasonable fitness.

This itinerary covers France and Spain.

Duration: 8 days

You need to have a spirit for adventure, independence and self-management on this self-guided trip.

Activity	Hiking, Self-Guided
Country	France, Spain
Hiking Grade	Grade 3 – Intermediate
Season	02 – February, 03 – March, 04 – April, 05 – May, 06 – June, 07 – July, 08 – August, 09 – September, 10 – October, 11 – November, 12 – December

Itinerary

Key Highlights
~ Coastal and Mountain Hiking Along the Edge of the Pyrenees;

~ Beautiful Seaside Towns & Panoramas;

~ Famous Banyuls Wine and Seafood.

Day 01 Arrive Collioure, France

Flower decked Collioure is a very pretty little town set against the foothills of the Alberes Range. It has a very idyllic setting with sun, sea and sky attracting many tourists each year. The town consists of two little fishing ports separated by the mediaeval castle on a spur. This former fishing port was the birthplace of the Fauve movement of painters in the early 20th century.

Check in and the time is at leisure. The hotel which you will be staying for 2 nights overlooks the harbour and citadel of this port which has long attracted artists.

Meal: nil

Stay: hotel, Collioure

Day 02 Collioure – Gorges de Lavall – Collioure

Transfer to Gorges de Lavall (240 M) and walk back past Tour de Massane (793 M) to Collioure.

Meal: Breakfast

Stay: hotel, Collioure

Hiking Distance: 14 KM Hiking Duration: 6 – 7 hours approx.

Day 03 Collioure – Banyuls

Hike up from Collioure to Tour Madeloc (656 M), then descend to Col des Gascons and follow the GR10 long distance trail among vines down to Banyuls.

Banyuls is the southernmost seaside resort in mainland France with 7,000 inhabitants and a popular yachting harbour.

Check in to the accommodation located by the seaside with a terrace restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean. Enjoy the sauna (free) before dinner.

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

Stay: hotel, Banyuls

Hiking Distance: 15 KM Hiking Duration: 6 hours approx.

Day 04 Banyuls – Port-Bou

Hike up from Banyuls to Pic Joan (437 M), a summit with a magnificent view of the indented coastline. Optional ascent to the Tour de Querroig/Tour Carroig, a ruined fort on the frontier (670 M). Then steep descent on the Spanish side of the frontier to Port-Bou, a small town just on the Spanish side of the border.

Tonight’s stay is practically right on the seafront.

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

Stay: hotel, Port Bou

Hiking Distance: 13 KM Hiking Duration: 5 hours approx.

Day 05 Port-Bou – Llanca

Hike up to Colle de Frare (202 M) for wonderful coastal views then descend to the coast at Colera. Continue through a chain of pretty bays and headlands to the traditional fishing port of Llanca. This is a small resort style village with an attractive old town a mile inland. Make sure you have sandals, jellies or water shoes today as there is a short section on the trail to walk in the sea for about 150 metres around a headland.

In good weather conditions, walking boots is fine. However when there is strong wind, your feet may be submerge in water.

Tonight, stay at one of the first accommodation operated here and has changed through the decades.

Meal: Breakfast

Stay: hotel, Llanca

Hiking Distance: 12 KM Hiking Duration: 5 hours approx.

NOTE: in the event if we are unable to confirm accommodation in Llanca, you will catch the train back to Port-Bou which takes approximately 10 minutes.

Day 06 Llanca – Port de la Selva

A steep climb from sea level to the Monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes near the summit of San Salvador peak (670 M). Descend along the forested Serrat de la Guerra Ridge to Port de la Selva, a traditional fishing village that has largely escaped development for the mass tourism.

Stay with the friendly owners who will cook lovely dinner for you.

Meal: Breakfast, Dinner

Stay: pension, Port de la Selva

Hiking Distance: 12 KM Hiking Duration: 5 hours approx.

Day 07 Port de la Selva – Cadaques

From Port de la Selva through rugged maquis landscape to Cap de Creus (easternmost point on the Spanish mainland). From Cap de Creus on paths to Cadaques. Pass close to Port Lligat (former home of Salvador Dali) on the approach to Cadaques.

Your finale accommodation overlooks the sea and all rooms have a balcony. The hotel has excellent facilities, including an outdoor swimming pool if you are game for a swim. There are good restaurants nearby to sample local Catalan cuisine this evening.

Meal: Breakfast

Stay: hotel, Cadaques

Hiking Distance: 22 KM Hiking Duration: 7 – 8 hours approx.

Day 08 Depart Cadaques

There is limited public transport out of town, just one or two early morning buses.

For those who wish to visit the Dali Museum at Figueras before returning to Collioure or to Barcelona Airport, an early departure by bus or taxi is advisable.

The most convenient train station to an airport is also at Figueras.

Meal: Breakfast

Inclusions

~ 6 nights accommodation in 2* or 3* hotels;

~ 1 night pension stay;

~ 7 Breakfasts, 3 Dinners;

~ luggage transfer from day 3 to day 7;

~ digital information including route notes & maps;

~ emergency service hotline.

Exclusions

~ air/rail travel to France or Spain;

~ visa arrangement, if required;

~ comprehensive personal travel insurance;

~ expenditure of personal effects;

~ anything not specified in the itinerary and inclusion.

Important Notes

~ Non – refundable deposit, 30% of total tour price is required at the time of booking. Full or balance payment is 60 days prior to departure.

~ This trip is good for 1 hiker to go.

~ Should you require a visa to enter Spain and France, it is your responsibility to obtain such document before departure. Check your entry requirement and apply your visa HERE if you require.

~ Provision of meals during the trip showcases local authenticity, cuisine and food culture of the places we are visiting. All food allergies and dietary restrictions must be disclosed to Travel Wander at the time of booking. We will use reasonable efforts to accommodate special requirements or requests but this is not always possible given the nature of the destinations visited and availability of options. We cannot guarantee that dietary needs or restrictions can be accommodated. Travel Wander is not liable for failure to accommodate or fulfil such requests. Meal supplementary charges may be imposed to meet your dietary needs.

~ Trip grading is an indication of the difficulty of the activities included. Preparation and engaging in regular exercise to maintain good physical condition and active lifestyle prior to the trip will be most beneficial in ensuring you have full enjoyment of the trip. We are glad to discuss your concerns and answer your queries.

~ Our utmost priority is always the safety of the hikers. Therefore inclusion of the itinerary may be altered due to (not limited to) bad weather, local conditions, accommodation book out, the skill levels of the cyclists and/or other unexpected circumstances beyond our control. We reserve the right to make changes necessary and there will be no refund should you decide to discontinue with the trip.

~ Because hiking requires a certain level of cardio and stamina exertion, it is not suitable for hikers with chronic and/or acute disease. Please consider your physical condition before booking. Hikers must ensure they are medically and physically able to hike/walk.

~ If hiker presents difficulty in completing the hike of the day, we strongly discourage the hiker from continuing for the day with top priority on the safety of the hiker (and travel companions) in mind. The hiker can fast track to the next accommodation making use of public transportation (where available) or booking private transfer at hiker’s own expense. Hikers can use mobile applications such as Google Search, Google Map, etc. to source for fast-track options.

~ Hiker may choose to terminate the hike early during any time of the planned hiking day or make it a rest day, and fast track to the next accommodation by making use of public transportation (where available) or booking private transfer at hiker’s own expense. Should the hiker wish to partake in other activities or sightseeing on the rest day, it will be at the hiker’s own expense. Hikers can use mobile applications such as Google Search, Google Map, etc. to source for fast-track options.

~ There is no refund for uncompleted hiking distances or missed inclusions.

~ Purchasing comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. See HERE for details.

~ By making a payment to Travel Wander LLP, you (and on behalf of the rest of travelling companions) acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to Travel Wander’s Booking Conditions and Other Important Information: Cancellation and Amendment, Modes of Payment, Privacy Policy, Indemnity Policy, and Terms & Conditions.

Hiking The Vermillion Coast, 8 days