Hiking Mountain Argelestourisme L'Oeil D Eos 5283The Albères mountain range, which proudly dominates the beach and village of Argelès, stretches across the entire southern half of the town’s vast territory.
It’s a rugged massif, cut by deep valleys framed by peaks, some of which reach heights of over 1,000 meters. Now 45% forested, the mountain offers a wide variety of landscapes.
Montagne Et Mer Argelestourisme L'Oeil D Eos 5350 1
Lezbroz Massane Argelestourisme Lezbroz 70102 1The massif’s foothills are covered with Mediterranean vegetation, characterized by garrigues dominated by rockrose and gorse. This widespread thorny bush features on the Argelès coat of arms.
In addition to olive trees, two main species populate the wooded areas of this sector: holm oak and cork oak. Higher up, this flora gives way to a forest of ash, birch, hazel and chestnut.
From an altitude of 600 metres, there is a precious beech forest, classified as a nature reserve in 1973. Finally, above this beech forest, open pastures are home to the little Massanese cows, a semi-wild breed of cattle that graze here in summer.
The Argelès mountains have always been a place of life and passage. Even 50 years ago, it was densely populated. It was inhabited very early on, as evidenced by the two dolmens erected not far from the Château de Valmy.
The richness of the Albères massif, both botanically and historically, offers a wide choice of walks. Whether you’re on foot or mountain bike, a seasoned walker or just a stroller, it’s great fun to discover this massif by following the long and short trails that the hooves of smugglers’ mules once traced.
