The Coll de Banyuls refuge is a small free refuge located on the pass that connects Espolla (Alt Empordà) with Banyuls-sur-Mer (Northern Catalonia), in the Albera massif, right on the border line.
Location:
Approximate altitude: about 358 m.
It is literally on the pass, a few meters from the road that crosses the mountain pass.
It is part of the Albera Massif Natural Interest Area.
It is a very strategic place because the pass is a natural pass between Empordà and the coast of Roussillon.
Origin of the refuge:
The current refuge was inaugurated on December 18, 1994.
Curiously, it was not built from scratch:
it is the conversion of an old bunker that was on the pass.
hikers in the area adapted it to serve as a shelter for walkers and cross-country skiers.
This detail gives it a somewhat peculiar air.
What the refuge is like:
It is very simple, designed as a free mountain refuge:
Approximate capacity: about 12 places to sleep,
Platforms or benches to sleep on
A large table
Fireplace
Basic space for cooking
It does not have much equipment:
Normally there is no firewood or blankets
Water is not always nearby.
It is more of an emergency shelter or to spend the night if you are trekking.
Routes and surroundings
The pass is a very important point for hikers because many paths leave from there:
Pic del Sailfort / Sallfort
Puig Neulós
Torre de la Massana
Castell de Querroig
Descent towards Banyuls-sur-Mer or towards Espolla.
It is also part of a trek known as the route of the 4 Tramuntana refuges, which links several refuges in the Empordà until reaching the Bassegoda area.
Atmosphere of the place
The pass is a fairly open and windy place. When the north wind blows it can be very strong, because it is a natural passage between sea and mountain.
But on clear days you have:
a view towards Empordà and Cap de Creus,
and towards the French Red Coast.
