Hi all
We are travelling from Collioure, France through to Barcelona and only have 5 nights remaining (mid-late Sep) 5th night has to Barcelona so we can catch our flight. I am trying to get a taste of the Pyrenees, and we love hiking through picturesque mountains (we don't have mountains in West Australia). I am proposing the following but not sure if its too much as we are normally 'slower' travellers.
Collioure - Villefranche de Conflent for a wander around town, then onto Mont Louis (via train Juane).
Do a (2-3hr) hike from Mont Louis, stay overnight, and then in the morning continue on to Ribes de Freser and take the rack train to Vall De Nuria for another hike, and then continue onto Barcelona for the night.
It seems like a lot of travel, but I believe it is supposed to be a very scenic train, but are we trying to do too much, is there somewhere better to get off and do an alpine type hike to lakes/waterfalls perhaps?
Any advice would be helpful.
PS - we don't have a car :). Our option is just daytrip to VilleFranche de Conflent, return to Collioure and head to Girona the following day.
Thank you
Jodie
Posted by
France Southwest - Occitanie
4074 posts
t looks like you've already done some research, but you might be interested in the Rail Tour Pass offered by liO (the South-West transport network), which allows you to travel for 2 to 6 consecutive days at a discounted rate. I believe the offer includes the Train Jaune.
See below:
https://www.visit-occitanie.com/en/rail-tour/
By clicking on "Discover the Map", you will get more details about the train lines. Then, also click on "All the Stations" and "Bus Lines".
Clicking on a station will give you even more practical and tourist information, as well as the timetables.
I also assume you already know that the station connecting to the Spanish trains is Latour-de-Carol, which is the last stop on the Yellow Train line.
Here is some info on hiking around Mont-Louis (DOn't forget to read the "Safety and mountain rescue" section at that link):
https://www.mont-louis.net/english/activities/hiking/
Even though you aren't used to the mountains, I suppose you also know that any outdoor activity in a mountain environment depends heavily on the weather. I've had experiences with relatively "easy and peaceful" hikes in the Pyrenees that ended in an emergency U-turn due to dangerous weather. So, definitely check in with the local tourist offices regarding the weather forecasts.
Overall, looking at this itinerary, I see you've completely abandoned your "slow travel" principle! :-)
Posted by
53 posts
Hi Jodie,
I am familiar with Collioure and have taken Le Train Jaune, but I had a car at the time and was staying at Céret, so I am not sure how practicable your plans are without a vehicle. You might consider a pass through Narbonne, just to the north of Collioure and easily accessible from it by train. But am I familiar with the useful advice of your previous respondent, JoLui who knows L'Occitanie, Languedoc, and Nouvelle Aquitaine like the back of her/his hand. S/he helped us out of travel jam earlier this year when we, like you, were trying to do a complicated trajectory without a car. There are day-boat trips from Collioure, FYI, to some of the surrounding communes on the coast if you need a breath of ocean air. If uou do decide to take the Train Jaune be sure to pack an umbrella or consult the metéo: it's open air.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you so much for the information.
Narbonne was interesting, as we are actually coming from there. We end our Canal du Midi trip in Port Cassafieres and train from Agde-Narbonne-Perpignan-Collioure.
I think in hindsight maybe we are trying to fit so much in - we don't generally do 1 or 2 night stays.
Ok, so in my latest approach - I'm thinking we miss Collioure, go straight into the Pyrenees - 1N Mont Louis and hike, next day hike Valle du Nuria and go straight to barcelona, and base ourselves there. We can then day trip from Barcelona back out to some of the Spanish beachside towns.
Alternatively, I think we just extend our stay in Collioure and day trip up to Villefranche du Conflent, do the Caranca Gorges hike from there and head back to Collioure. That way, in total we do 3 nights Collioure and 3 nights Barcelona, and don't need to worry about carrying luggage. I'm trying to fit way too much in. :0
Posted by
OP
3 posts
PS- Thanks for the info on the rail pass. Good map and I didn't realise they did that.