Gorges de la Fou (15 mins)
Leaving Arles sur Tech, towards Prats de
Mollo just before the hamlet of La Palma (and just before the turning for
Montferrer), lies one of the narrowest canyons in the world:
1700m long,
with a
depth of 250m.
Protected by a metallic
net and with a footbridge throughout the entire length
of the gorge,
families can
visit the impressive torrents that course through the gorge in
total security (you’ll be given hard hats).
Impressive if somewhat
touristy, it is usually well loved by kids. It’s
best getting there early on in the day – to
avoid the heat and the crowds.
Monto Z'Arbes (20 mins)
Arboreal
walks (parcours), zip lines (space jumps), via ferrata, paintball – kids
love this. Le Galliné Route d'Espagne (you’ll find it just a
couple of km past Prats de Mollo following the road to Camprodon
in
Spain).
Le Bois du Moulin (25
mins)
This is the same sort of activity park as Monto Z'Arbes above, but for smaller
children: arboreal
walks,
bouncy
netting,
bouncy
castles – kids
love this. In a lovely setting by a river with picnic tables (you’ll find it
just
a
couple
of
km
past
Prats de Mollo following the road to La Preste).
Centre Equestre
(25 mins)
Horse riding for children and adults.
Molló Parc
(30 mins) This is a Natural Park located in a forest where
your children will be introduced to Pyrenean fauna and flora (bears,
wolves, eagles, deer, mountain goats and much more. You create
your own outdoor itinerary walking through woods and fields engaging
directly with many of the animals. Go through Prats de Mollo following
the road to Camprodon. Mollo Parc is in the vicinity of Mollo on
the left hand side.
Aqualand (60 mins) This
is at St Cyprien near Collioure. Kids love this … and I
must admit (somewhat begrudgingly … that although it took some
hefty convincing to get me there … I enjoyed it too!).
But, if you’re
like me and not enamoured by crowds, it’s another trip that is
best made early in the day. To really enjoy Aqualand, to avoid
the traffic and the heat and
to find a parking spot,; it’s best getting there as early as possible: so aim
to
be there for 10am!
Le Train Jaune (90 mins)
The first station is at Villefranche de Conflent.
From Villefranche
de Conflent you can take the Le
Petit Train Jaune (the yellow
train) which has open carriages, is narrow gauge and
winds its way up the valley to Font Romeu and Bourge Madame just
a few minutes from Pugicerda in Spain.
It’s a great trip out
for the family, a really lovely way to travel and takes you to
good high-altitude walking in wide open
high level valleys surrounded by beautiful cirques.
Leave yourselves enough time to make the train journey, have
a few hours wherever you’ve got off, before taking the
train back. It’s best to take the morning
train no later than 10.30am, for a full day out.
hot
tips
-
Gorges de la Fou (Arles-sur-Tech) Information
Tél. : 04 68 39 16 21
hot
tips
