::Le Mag Group:: Mountain Biking - The Serrabone Priory from Bouleternère (66)

Mountain Biking - The Serrabone Priory from Bouleternère (66), Jun 10

In collaboration with Athanaël Guitard of www.biking66.com we will be bringing you a series of mountain bike circuits throughout the department. The first in the series takes you to the Serrabone Priory. The circuit is both beautiful and technically very interesting. Please feel free to tell us about your experiences of the route on our Discussion Board at www.sixtysix.fr

Nestled at the entrance to the valley of the Boulès in the valley of the Tet, Bouleternère is a regionally typical small village, enviably calm… Bouleternère is situated at 30km from Perpignan on the N116 in the direction of Prades and then on the D16 after Illes Sur Tet.

The Route In Brief:

A long ascent of 12km, easy and regular, will bring you to the Serrabone Priory. From there a descent on the trail is possible for the more confident, the others will prefer to rejoin the bottom of the valley via the twist and turns of the road. Once at the bottom a new ascent (about 5km) will allow you to redescend to Bouleternère by a wide track or a technical trail…
This route is not that long but it permits you to appreciate the foothills of Canigou, to ride across varied terrain and to easily access some interesting descents – descents that you can avoid if necessary, descending by road or trail as you prefer.

The Nitty Gritty :

The start of the circuit is situated at the cemetery entrance at the exit of the village on the D618. There is some parking in front of the cemetery but it is as practical to park in the village.
Take the trail East South East which climbs steeply from the start opposite the cemetery gates, fortunately the steep section does not last too long…
Follow the same trail overhanging Le Boulès as far as the priory. After several kilometers you will leave a new trail on your right after a water tank. A little further on you will leave a new piste on your right which ascends towards a quarry. Towards the end you cross two farms before reaching the road which will bring you to the right of the priory.
Once there take a little time to admire the priory, the botanical gardens and the countryside. From the priory rejoin Minestrol on the D618 at the bottom of the valley. You now have two options, the less experienced can follow the road to the bottom. The others will like the trail which starts behind the priory toilets. It is quite technical but crosses the road three times if you change your mind. The trail is not dangerous but the rains can damage the track and you need to take care as you cross the road. There are clear yellow markers on the trail.
Once at the bottom you will cross Le Boulès then go to the right in Minestrol and climb the steep road which turns into a track and flattens off a little. At the first intersection you will follow the trail on a left hand hair pin bend, direction WNW. Continue to climb, after some turns and a farm you climb to the left on the easterly trail. After a windy part and some “waves” you arrive at the village Casefabre.
Once at Casefabre you have two options: the first allows you to descend quickly to Bouleternère via a wide track. For this one follow the D72 for 50m in a sharp right hand bend, direction Oratoire Sainte Maguerite, then take the first trail to the left. You then stay on the trail to Bouleternère being careful not to have an accident by going to fast. After several kilometers take the track at a sharp left heading NW. After this follow the beautiful trail to Bouleternère.
The second option requires more energy and skill but will allow you to explore a great technical descending trail. Once in Casefabre you will rejoin the crest via the D72 on a right hand hairpin. After about 1km you arrive to a small hill and the oratory Sainte Maguerite. Follow the road which begins its ascent in a few metres and take the trail which climbs steeply immediately on the left in a hairpin. The trail seems to go nowhere but a track leaves to the NNW in the high bushes to your right.
The trail, undulating for several km, follows the crest and is quite demanding but once you reach the summit of the circuit a superb panorama reveals itself over the slopes of Canigou, the Priory of Serrabone, the Tet valley, Illes Sur Tet and the plain. A little rest to admire the view will do you no harm before attacking the descent. Stay alert, this descent is fairly difficult.
At the first fork follow the trail towards the dolmen Coll de la Llosa, then follow the track for Saint Michel de Llotes. Take the track climbing sharply to the left WSW for 100m tipping you onto a rocky NW trail leaving the track curving to your left. Several hundred metres further you will find the trail which comes back to Bouleternère. In the first turn a small trail leaves the track before recrossing it a little lower, you can take this route should you choose.

Whichever option you choose you will arrive at the bridge just before the village.

The stats:
23km
800m of ascent
Duration: 2 to 4 hours

Physical Difficulty: 2 to 3 of 5 according to the option

Technical Difficulty: 1 to 4 of 5 according to the option

Panoramas: 4/5

You can find all the information on this route at www.biking66.com in the section “Les Circuits Du 66” where you will also find a downloadable map and GPS coordinates.
The reference map is IGN 2448OT: “Thuir-Illes Sur Tet” and IGN 2449OT “Ceret-Amelie Les Bains” or consult for free www.geoportail.fr

Be aware nature changes, and so the description will not always be accurate. Don’t go out alone, wear a protective hat, bring something to eat, a map, repair tools and a mobile phone.