RISQUE INCENDIE - Veuillez consulter le niveau de risque en vigueur sur la carte avant de partir en randonnée. En cas de risque extrême, l'accès aux massifs forestiers sera interdit. Nous appelons à la plus grande prudence.

The “Capitelles” - The Scrubland Steam
Conques-sur-Orbiel

The “Capitelles” - The Scrubland Steam

Embed this item to access it offline

In Conques-sur-Orbiel, about thirty volunteers meet for half a day each week to restore these "capitelles" - dry-stone cabins -, which once served as shelters for winegrowers during winter times. 

Forty-five "capitelles" mark four trails in a magnificent setting. 

In this garrigue landscape, farmers and Andorran herds have given way to fragrant plant species. Here, one finds the priceless remnants of this past.

A landscape that changes from one valley to the next, dotted with little stone gems: "capitelles", “assietadous”… names bringing Mediteranean sun to your ears!! 


Description

Green Markings 

From the starting sign, turn right twenty meters ahead and keep turning right; the green sign for the “Le ruisseau de la Garrigue” trail invites you to venture into the very dense vegetation. 

Soon, the first "capitelle", named “La Mignarda,” comes into view. 

It features a distinctive four-sided dome. From there, green arrows mounted on posts will guide you along the entire loop. 

At the following "capitelles", notice the protruding stones built into the outer wall—known locally as “assietadous”—which serve as seats. 

Further along, one “capitelle” is distinguished by its dome, covered with earth to protect it from erosion. 

Every year in the spring, when the irises bloom, it becomes a sight to behold, taking on shades of blue and yellow. When you reach a trail, head straight ahead. 
Continue walking through very sparse scrubland toward a small valley. 

When you reach a trail, turn left onto it and climb up to the trail junction, then pay close attention to the trail markers. 

Turn right and continue along a trail through the sparse garrigue, facing the Pyrenees. 

Back on a trail, turn left toward the last "capitelle" on the loop, “La Semparella.” 

It features a mule shelter whose roof was covered with tiles until the 1940s, when it was last used. 

Ideal family hike !

  • Departure : CONQUES-SUR-ORBIEL – Capitelle Sign
  • Arrival : CONQUES-SUR-ORBIEL – Capitelle Sign
  • Towns crossed : Conques-sur-Orbiel

Forecast


Altimetric profile


Recommandations

Is in the midst of the park
The national park is an unrestricted natural area but subjected to regulations which must be known by all visitors.

Access and parking

Just outside Conques-Sur-Orbiel on the D101, then the D901, which runs alongside the "Rieu Sec" stream.


Report a problem or an error

If you have found an error on this page or if you have noticed any problems during your hike, please report them to us here: