Hiking the Vermillion Coast

Flower decked Collioure is a very pretty little town set against the foothills of the Alberes Range. It has an 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.
Accommodation: For two nights stay in a comfortable 2* hotel, furnished Catalan style. All rooms are ensuite. The hotel overlooks the harbour and citadel of this port which has long attracted artists.

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

Walk up from Collioure to Tour Madeloc (656m), 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 7000 inhabitants and a popular yachting harbour. The resort is very pleasant backed by hillside vineyards and surrounded by tropical plants.
Accommodation: Here we use a 4* family run hotel, by the seashore with a terrace restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean. The “gastronomique” restaurant specialises in seafood. There is a sauna (free) and all rooms are ensuite.

Walk up from Banyuls to Pic Joan (437m), 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 (670m). Then steep descent on the Spanish side of the frontier to Port-Bou, a small town just on the Spanish side of the border.
Accommodation: A simple but nice pension. The rooms are not en-suite. Dinner is included in a local restaurant.

Walk up to Colle de Frare (202m) for wonderful coastal views then descend to the coast at Colera and then through a chain of pretty bays and headlands to the traditional fishing port of Llanca. This is a small resort development with an attractive old town a mile inland. You must bring sandels, jellies or water shoes today as there is a short section on the trail today where you have to walk in the sea for about 150 metres around a headland. In normal conditions this can be done in walking boots, but when there is a strong wind, the terrace can be a third of a metre under water.
If we are unable to confirm accommodation here tonight, you catch the train back to Port-Bou which takes approx. 10 minutes.
Accommodation: We stay at a small 2* hotel on the front that was one of the first to appear here and has changed through the decades as the historical images show. All rooms are ensuite.

A steep climb from sea level to the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes near the summit of San Salvador Peak (670m), descending 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 market.
Accommodation: We stay at a 2* hotel, where the friendly proprietors provide lovely meals. All rooms are ensuite.

Walk from Port de la Selva through rugged maquis landscape to Cap de Creus (easternmost point on the Spanish mainland). From Cap de Creus follow on paths to Cadaques. You will pass close to Port Lligat (former home of Salvador Dali) on the approach to Cadaques.
*The other option to walk to Cadaques is a shorter route following the GR92. It starts with a fairly steep climb after which you descend to Cadaques (13.2km/8.2miles, 5.5hrs).
Accommodation: Our normal 3* hotel overlooks the sea. The hotel has excellent facilities, including an outdoor swimming pool. All the rooms are ensuite. There are good restaurants nearby so you can sample the local local cuisine.

There is limited public transport out of the 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 the airport at Barcelona or Perpignan an early start by bus or taxi is advisable. For those travelling direct to an airport the most convenient train station is also at Figueras.