(0h00min; 0 kms) Albanyà (240m). The GR11 crosses Albanyà, leaving the village on the right. If you need to get water, leave the GR11 and cross the centre of the village until, beyond the church, you will see a drinking fountain. Just before coming out at the road, after the last house and just before a bridge over the stream -el Clot de la Canova-, you take a wide path on the left. You follow it for half a kilometre before taking a steep path to the left that comes out at a track. You take a couple of shortcuts, but eventually you follow the track uphill – with twists and turns – to Serra de Ferrerós. When you reach the top of the hill (565m), you come to a crossing, and turn right. After 10 minutes you reach the Coll de Ferrerós (595m), where, at another crossing, you turn left. After a short drop you head uphill towards...
(1h50min; 5,0 kms) Sant Feliu de Carbonils (630m). A short diversión of a few metres takes you to the 11th century Romanesque chapel. Keep walking for 7 minutes to reach the Coll de Can Roquill. You pass the Refugio de Seglar on your left. It looks as if it is privately owned, and has a drinking fountain, although the water probably comes from rainwater collected from the roof. You continue along the track on a gradual climb to...
(2h15min; 6,9 kms) La Trilla (687m). There is a house that looks to be closed, and the one behind it is in ruins. Leave the track for a path that heads into the forest, past a col, then head downhill until you join a track at the Collada de la Capella (521m). Follow it left, then after just 100m, take a path on the right. Follow the path for another 100m, then take a path on the left that heads into dense woodland at the bottom of a little valley. You eventually come to a wider path. Be particularly careful at this point to take, soon afterwards, a path on the left that climbs in search of the track you left previously, and takes you straight to the Chapel of Sant Andreu de Oliveda.
(3h50min; 12,8 kms) Sant Andreu de Oliveda (387m). Pass the chapel on your left and leave the tarmac road, to take a track on the right that drops sharply down to the...
(4h15min; 14,4 kms) Molí d'en Robert (227m). Bar and swimming pools. Soon afterwards, you leave the track heading to Maçanet and take a path on the left that ascends rapidly and shortens the route by a couple of kilometres. You come to a path, and then the track that takes you straight to Maçanet. You pass an area dotted with villas and head towards the village in search of the road (GI-503) that comes from Figueres.
(5h00min; 17,5 kms) Maçanet de Cabrenys (348m). Follow the Figueres road for 0.5kms until you come to a track on the left that enters into a small rocky area amid beautiful cork oak woodland. Font del Carme drinking fountain. You soon come to the road that goes to La Vajol, which you follow for just 100m. The GR11 has been modified at this point to avoid the road, and the new route, although much prettier, is also quite a bit longer. The path heads into the woods, passing a succession of crossings and continuously changing direction, but fortunately the waymarking is good. You will find another drinking fountain along this stretch. You rejoin the road from Maçanet to La Jonquera/Figueres.
(6h00min; 21,2 kms) Pont del Grau (258m). Cross the road bridge over the Riera del Mas Castells and finally take on the climb to La Vajol. The path ascends quickly and it is not long before you gain height.
Shortly after passing the mine you come out at the road to La Vajol, which you follow right.In this area, there are a number of abandoned Talcum mines. One of them, la Mina Canta or d'en Negrin, which you pass, went down in history when, just as the Civil War broke out, Joan Negrin (the president of the government between 1937 and 1939) sent a batch of paintings here from the Prado Museum, as well as a treasure worth 50 0million dollars.
(7h05min; 25,2 kms) La Vajol (540m).
At the beginning of the stage, 1km before Albanyà: Camping Bassegoda Park. In Albanyà (centre): Albergue La Rectoría d'Albanyà.
In Maçanet de Cabrenys there is a wide choice of accommodation catering for all types of budget. Among others: Hotel Els Caçadors , Hotel La Quadra or Habitatges Turistics Les Tranquiles.
At the end of the stage, at the entrance to La Vajol, Ca la Conxita (+34 972 535 213 / +34 687 296 037; restaurant@calaconxita.com) has rooms, a shop and offers bar/restaurant service. His specialty is the traditional Catalan cuisine.
Just before, on the right hand, it stands the new municipal albergue (Sol Ponent) 10 pax, 2 bathrooms, fridge, microwave, cooking space and a large living room. The price is 15€. Bookings: +34 619 916 611; alberg@lavajol.cat).
Where to eat:In La Vajol, Ca la Conxita (+34 972 535 213 / +34 687 296 037; restaurant@calaconxita.com) has a restaurant where you can get breakfast, the set menu or à la carte, as well as seasonal dishes such as “canelloni de calçots”.
Other services:In Albanyà, there is a small supermarket at the campsite and a grocery store in the village.
In Maçanet de Cabrenys you will find practically everything you need: a supermarket, a bread shop, a chemist’s or an ATM among others.
In La Vajol, Ca la Conxita has a little shop selling food and other basic products.