Prices
Fishing villages, lighthouses, castles and cliffs
Collioure – Banyuls – Cerbère – Llança – Port de la Selva – Cadaques
This unforgettable hiking tour along the Mediterranean coast, from France to Spain, offers breathtaking sea views and a unique landscape where rugged rock formations alternate with rolling hills covered in vineyards and pine forests. Each day you can choose between a more hilly inland path or a coastal trail. Both options are wonderfully panoramic and showcase the best scenery of the foothills of the Pyrenees: fragrant Mediterranean scrub, peaceful woodland, and charming medieval fishing villages.
The journey begins in Collioure, a colourful French harbour town beloved by painters like Matisse. After crossing the border, the route leads you into Spain and the iconic Costa Brava, the “wild coast,” known for its dramatic cliffs and hidden coves. Along the way, inviting beaches offer the perfect opportunity for refreshing swims and moments of relaxation. In the small coastal towns, you can savour fresh seafood, enjoy a cold beer, or taste excellent local wines.
A region rich in culture, it has long inspired famous artists, including Picasso and Dalí, whose presence is still felt in many local traditions and galleries.
One of the absolute highlights is the spectacular Cap de Creus nature reserve, a windswept rocky peninsula shaped by the sea. Its unique flora, sculpted by strong coastal winds, and its rich geological formations make it an extraordinary and memorable landscape.
This coastal adventure is perfect for travellers seeking nature, culture, seaside relaxation, and the pure beauty of Mediterranean trails.
The daily program of the 7-day tour
Individual arrival in Collioure, a picturesque old fishing village with a colourful harbour where the anchovy boats are docked. The village lies on the Côte Vermeille, where the red rocks of the Pyrenees meet the sea. The 13th-century castle proudly overlooks the village and was once the summer residence of the kings of Majorca. Another highlight is the 17th-century church Notre-Dame-des-Anges, featuring a former lighthouse as its bell tower. Many artists, including Matisse, Picasso, and Dali, were captivated by the light and colours of this charming village and sought to capture them in their paintings.
Overnight in Hotel *** (5 minutes walking from the train station)
Meals: dinner and breakfast
You leave Collioure and follow an uphill path to an old windmill. Continuing, you reach the fort of St Elme, a 16th-century military stronghold. From this vantage point, you are rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the sea and the surrounding landscape.
Now there are two options:
The Coastal Walk:
A gentle downhill walk brings you to the charming fishing village of Port Vendres. The route follows Cap Bear, marked by its historic lighthouse, and passes numerous coves and creeks perfect for a refreshing swim. The landscape is dotted with vineyards and wildflowers, especially vibrant in spring. After passing Cap d’Ullastreill, the route reaches the scenic town of Banyuls.
The Foothills Walk:
The route continues uphill until you reach the majestic Madeloc watchtower, a 13th-century landmark perched on a rocky outcrop at 660 m, offering breathtaking panoramic views. The trail then descends through thick scrub typical of the Mediterranean coast, gradually opening into lush vineyards and chestnut orchards. You arrive in Banyuls-sul-Mer, a historic frontier town and the end point of the famous trans-Pyrenean GR10, stretching 900 km from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. Don’t miss tasting the local wine served in a Porró, a traditional glass carafe resembling a watering can.
Overnight in Hotel *** Meals: breakfast and dinner
Distance: coastal walk 13,9 km /8,6 mi & mountain walk 16,3 km / 10,1 mi
Walking time: 5 hrs or 5 hrs 30
Ascent/descent: +/- 500m or +/- 700m
Again you can choose of two walks, one remaining along the coast and one going up into the hills
The Coastal Walk:
The route follows the Mediterranean sea before climbing uphill to Cap Cerbère, where a historic lighthouse stands on a mostly flat plateau. The rocky coast here is steep and dramatic, forming part of a marine nature reserve that extends nearly a mile into the sea, marked by yellow buoys to protect the abundant fish and marine life.
The Foothills Walk:
From Banyuls, the route climbs along small lanes lined with ancient stonewalls. This comfortable ascent winds through lush vineyards and aromatic Mediterranean scrub, offering spectacular panoramic views throughout. Hikers enjoy striking vistas of the Pyrenees, including the snow-capped Mount Canigou (2784m) in summer. The trail reaches the historic Tour de Querroig, a signal tower marking the frontier, before descending with magnificent sea views to Cerbère.
Overnight in Hotel ** Meals: breakfast and dinner
Distance: coastal walk 9,2 km /5,7 mi & mountain walk 12,8 km / 8 mi
Walking time: 3hrs 30 or 5 hrs (variant 4 hrs 15)
Ascent/descent: +/- 500m or +/- 700m (variant + / – 550m).
Today you have different options, so you can choose easily the level you prefer because you can shorten the coastal and mountain route by taking the train (not incl. in the tour price)
The Coastal Walk:
This walk begins with a climb, then after Port-Bou you return to the seashore. Shortly after, the route passes several hidden calas, including the beautiful Platja Garbet and the Cap Ras coves bordered by pine trees. Enjoy stunning views of Cap de Creus before arriving at the charming town of Llança.
The Foothills Walk:
The first stretch follows the coastal path, then you climb up to Puig Tiffel. From the top, enjoy sweeping views of Cap de Creus, Emporda, and the sunny Albères. The descent to Llança runs along the sea, offering spectacular vistas of the rocky coastline. Explore the narrow alleys around the church and the Palace-Castle of the Abbot of Sant Pere de Rodes, which still reveal the town’s historical charm. Along the way, discover many small coves with pristine seawater and scenic views.
Overnight in Hotel ***
Meals: breakfast and dinner
Distance: coastal walk 12,5 km / 7,9 mi & mountain walk 21,5 km / 13,4 mi (can be
shortened by train)
Walking time: 4 or 7 hrs
Ascent/descent: +/- 350m or +/- 1100m.
The Coastal Walk:
Before reaching the Sarnella lighthouse, the route passes striking architect-designed villas. The charming Port de Selva features whitewashed houses along the horseshoe bay of El Port de la Selva. This medieval village was historically centered on fishing. Stroll through its narrow alleys and enjoy the scenic port with golden cliffs.
The Foothills Walk:
Today’s route is a superb walk through the hills, past hidden valleys, and along Pilgrim paths until you reach the beautiful small chapel of St Helena and the imposing monastery of San Père de Rodes. This former Benedictine monastery, built on the slope of Verdera Mountain, reached its peak splendour between the 11th and 12th centuries. From here, enjoy breathtaking coastal views over Cap de Creus and the whitewashed coastal villages. You can also climb further to the San Salvador castle, where the bay of Rosas and the Pyrenees are visible. A pleasant descent will bring you to Port de la Selva.
Overnight in Hotel ****
Meals: breakfast and dinner
Distance: coastal walk 12 km / 7,5 mi & mountain walk 15,5 km / 9,6 mi
Walking time: 4 or 5 hrs
Ascent/descent: +/- 500m or +/- 700m.
Today the coastal walk is longer than the foothill walks.
The Coastal Walk:
This is a classic and breathtaking route through the natural park of Cap de Creus. Along the walk, enjoy stunning views of the Cape, where the Pyrenees meet the sea. The route is long but dotted with hidden coves and beaches, perfect for resting. The wild and unspoiled Cap de Creus, with its iconic lighthouse, is a peninsula featuring two nature reserves and three areas rich in underwater life: Cap Gros, the tip of Cap de Creus, and Cap Norfeu. The rocks rising from the sea have spectacular shapes, sculpted over millions of years by wind and waves; locals have given them imaginative names such as Lion, Dragon, Camel, and Cat.
You arrive in Cadaqués via a scenic coastal path, lined with stone walls and winding terraces, where white houses appear to tumble into the sea. Cadaqués is one of the most picturesque towns on the Costa Brava, with charming narrow streets and whitewashed houses. On the outskirts of Portlligat, you can visit the former home of Salvador Dalí, while atop the village, the Santa Maria church features a chapel decorated by the artist himself.
The Foothills Walk:
You start by climbing out of the village of Port de la Selva, crossing the wild and unspoiled coastal foothills of Cap de Creus. Along the way, you pass the stunning and steep Cala Taballera cove, a perfect spot to admire the rugged coastline. As you cross the cape, ancient dry-stone shelters peek out among the trees, adding charm to this remarkable natural landscape. The coastal walk ends with a panoramic descent through olive groves into Cadaqués, one of the gems of the Costa Brava. For an extended adventure, visit the Cala Nans lighthouse, where you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views over Cadaqués and the surrounding coast.
Overnight in Hotel ***
Meals: breakfast and dinner
Distance: coastal walk 20 km / 12,4 mi & mountain walk 13 km / 8,1 mi
Walking time: 7 or 4 hr 15 hrs
Ascent/descent: +/- 670m (variant +/-600m) or +/-450m
After breakfast ends your tour along the French and Spanish Mediterranean coast.
Impressions from a walk along the Mediterranean coast
Collioure – Banyuls – Cerbère – Llança – Port de la Selva – Cadaques
LEVEL 2 or 3
A tour for good walkers with experience. Every day there is the choice of a more difficult (mountain) or easier walk (coastal). There are significant difference of level between 450-1100m depending on the different routes. The terrain surface can be stony with some steeper parts, so walking shoes with good grip are needed. For those not used to rough terrain the daily walking time can be a little bit longer.
Daily distances between 9,2 km / 5,7 miles and 30 km/ 12,4 mi
Total km: Coastal route 68 km /42,3 miles & Hilly route 79 km / 49 mi
DEPARTURES:
Arrival every day from 01/03 – 30/06 and from 01/09-31/10/2026 (last available date).
PARTICIPANTS:
2 or more people .
START / FINISH:
Collioure / Cadaqués
Hiking in the French Basque Country
This amazing mountains-to-the-sea itinerary is perfect for independent walkers wishing to enjoy the beauties of the French Basque Country in just one week.