Discover Vallespir by bike

From Maureillas, famous for its cork groves and its cork museum, pedal in the footsteps of the Romans by crossing the Via Domitia discovering the Castell des Maures exhibition, then on towards Le Perthus at the Spanish border to see Fort Bellegarde ! At the final stage : the Chalet de l’Albère offers a breath-taking panorama over the entire valley …

Description of the trip: circular loop taking 2 days / 1 night

• Day 1 : Pedal acorss the foothills of the Catalan Pyrenees – distance : 23.36km     

Here you are… at the foot of the Pyrenees in the village of Maureillas, look up, admire the mountains and head towards the Spanish border ! From there, discover the hidden treasures of history : stroll around the site of Panissars, amongst the Roman ruins and the old military cemetery, stop in front of the Trophée de Pompée, absorb the special atmosphere and dive into the heart of the epic environment of the past. Here take the famous Via Domitian route! Onwards the experience continues passing in front of the impressive Fort de Bellegarde. Perched on this hill, take the time to observe both sides of the mountain, the French side and the Spanish side. All this travelling in the footsteps of history works up an appetite! Settle down in a secluded corner in the heart of nature for a picnic or enjoy the various restaurants in Perthus. Then, jump back in the saddle and head towards the Col de l’Ouillat. Plunge into the heart of unspoiled nature, amongst the pines and beeches. Here, discover a breath-taking panorama over the entire valley… Let the many smells and colours overwhelm your senses! Finally, time to rest at the Chalet de l’Albère for dinner and an overnight stay. A warm welcome and a meal with all the flavours of this Catalan land…

• Day 2 : Follow the history of Via Domitia – distance : 20.53km 

With a gentle awakening in this unique place in the heart of nature, you are sure to start this second day in excellent form! After collecting your bikes from the secure lockup, descend into the valley towards the small village of Les Cluses. Here, you can visit the permanent exhibition “ The Castle of the Moors, a unique heritage in the heart of the Via Domitia ” to learn even more about the cross-border history of the area. Then return to Maureillas where you can leave your bikes to go explore the Dolmen de la Siureda on foot (3-hour hike, beginner level). From there, contemplate the 360 ​​° panorama over the Roussillon plain from the Bel Œil tower. If you fancy it, you can even finish off the day in Maureillas with a horseback ride offered by the stables in Maureillas or a visit to the Liège (Cork) Museum !

Total distance : 43.89km – level: athletic – elevation gain: 1067m – type of road : mixed  

Starting point : geolocation and name of the town : Maureillas 

Explore Vallespir by bike ! By cycling the greenway road and portions of the Espace cyclosport, treat yourself to a few hours of relaxation at the Saint Jean Pla de Corts lakes, walk in the footsteps of Picasso in the famous mecca of cubism, pedal on the famous bridge de Reynès, and meet the local producers who will introduce you to many unique flavours.

Description of the trip: Circular loop taking 3 days / 2 nights

• Day 1 : Admire the landscapes by bike, on foot and in the water ! – distance : 10.92km   

You have safely arrived in Vallespir ! From the village of Maureillas, cycle along the vineyards and orchards, then along the Le Tech river to your first stop in Saint Jean Pla de Corts. Here swap your bike pedals for your walking shoes and set off for a medium difficulty 2.5 hour hike towards the picturesque village of Vivès. Discover remarkable vegetation. Look out for the footprints of wild animals, but also for marks of the presence of Man with the many crops grown here, especially vines. Stop for a few moments at la table d’orientation to enjoy the view of all the surrounding peaks. Along the way, call in on a local producer at his farm for a cheese tasting. Does it give you an appetite?
On your return to Saint Jean Pla de Corts, sit by the lake for a picnic or around a table in one of the restaurants. Dedicate the afternoon to relaxation … stretch out on the banks or take the opportunity to discover all the activities on offer here : paddle board, pedal boat, ski lift, AquaJump, tree climbing. The lake has everything you could possibly want ! After a first day filled with such feeling and sensations, gather around a table of delicious Catalan flavours and spend the night in one of the available accommodation options suited to your needs.

If you fancy giving an electric bike a go and want to enjoy the magnificent landscapes of the Catalan backdrop while doing so, we recommend you do this either on the first day instead of or after the hike; or on the second day over the course of the whole day. A very difficult 80km route on the Cyclosport area from Maureillas takes you to the heart of Vallespir, passing through Céret, Amélie-Les-Bains, Taillet, Oms and back to Saint Jean Pla de Corts for the night. Do not hesitate to contact us for more information on this alternative.

• Day 2 : Meet local producers – distance : 5.78km 

A second day of discoveries marked by sharing and conviviality. From Saint Jean Pla de Corts head towards the cherry capital : Céret. There, several local producers will be delighted to welcome you to show you around their farm and to taste their produce depending on the season and availability : apple juice, cheese, craft breweries, honey, vineyards, fruit and vegetable producers, etc. After awakening your taste buds, share a delicious lunch in one of the city’s many restaurants ! Finally, being captivated by charms of Ceret strolling in its narrow passageways, guided by the reproductions of paintings in situ by artists who have stayed in this famous ” Mecca of Cubism ” … And do not hesitate to check out the many art galleries! For dinner and overnight accommodation, the choice is yours !

• Day 3 : A cultural interval before going green – distance 21.84km 

Enjoy the atmosphere and art of living in Vallespir by taking a tour of the famous Céret market (on Saturday morning). Treat yourself to a culture break at the Music Museum which presents a collection of instruments from around the world ! Then, hop back into the saddle and head towards the village of Reynès. Picnic time on the banks of Tech ! Close your eyes, listen to the lapping of the water and take a deep breath of fresh air… Enjoy this change of scenery then set off on ” Le Chemin des Mas ” for an easy 3h 40 hike. Get back to basics and get your fill of nature by discovering the small stone bridges, the traditional rural architecture, and the panoramas over the villages of the valley. After finishing your trip on a note of authenticity, take the road heading back to Maureillas.

Total distance : 38.54km – level: easy – elevation gain: 258m – type of road : mixed