GRPdesBF 427-444

The bordermarkers of the Pyrenees : the GRPdesBF

- stage 41 -
Portella Blanca - Pla Llauró (bm427-444)

Only the bordermarkers along this stage are shown (and some adjoining ones). The main route is red, the variants have other colors. The main route is a smooth on-going route passing along many bordermarkers, the variants give access to the remaining bordermarkers. See the GRPdesBF-principles.
Click here for an fullscreen interactive map.

In short
From Andorra descending to the plains of the Cerdagne. But in doing so you'll need to do a steep climbing in the beginning to the Portella Blanca de Meranges (bm428 at 2634m).
The main route then descends S, joins the GR11 and gradually descends to (close to) the cross-country ski-station of Guils-Fontanera. Then - leaving the GR11 - easy (dirt)roads will bring you to bm443-444.
The variant however climbs from bm428 further to the summit of Puigpedros (officially 2915m), the highest point on the whole GRPdesBF! Then it traverses the plateau of Campcardós for 6km along bm429-434, gradually descending. From bm434 onwards it soon gets greener and forests appear.

Considerations
The main route shouldn't present problems though the climb to Portella Blanca de Meranges is steep in the end. Wayfinding is easy and you will pass a cabin (when you join the GR11) and later on the refuge of Malniu
The variant should be taken seriously: the high altitude on the rough and islolated plateau of Campcardós (from the Puigpedros to ± bm434) requires good weather or at least experience & wayfinding competences. Bad weather can be dangerous here. From the Puigpedros until bm439, there are no trails or waymarkings. There's a running water at bm429 and bm439.
The end of this stage - bm444 - is a nice bivouac-spot, streaming water available.

Factsheet

Routes	Km	Heights: min - max	Heights: start-finish	Cum. pos. elevation	Cum. neg. elevation	Cum. total elevaton	Time	Bm's covered
main route	20,3	1538-2648	2497-1538	819	1776	2595	7:55	4*
incl. all variants	17,8	1538-2905	idem	890	1850	2740	7:28	22*
variant 1 via bm429-442	11,8 (-2,5)	1712-2905	2645-1735	382	1293	1675 (+145)	4:39 (-0:27)	18
- the main route is a smooth trail along the border and most of the bordermarkers (within ±100m reach of the main route) - the variants allow you to visit the remaining bordermarkers - altitudes are derived from NASA SRTM1-data (downloaded with DEM1) and assigned to the gpx-tracks with GPS-Track-Analyse.NET - km & elevations statistics computed in Basecamp. - time according to Naismith's rule with average speed 4km/h; 10 min. extra for every 100m ascent and 5 min. extra for every 100m descent. Don't forget: this is a rough estimation. - (+ or -) = extra km & elevation & time compared to continuing on the main route) * = including overlap of 1 bm with previous stage								Bm's covered cumulative:
								488
								Bm's cum. on main route:
								312

Gps-files needed

	kml/kmz	gpx (with altitudes added)
Waypoints of all esfr-bordermarkers	esfr-bordermarkers-all-waypoints.kml	gpx-version
Tracks of this stage	grpdesbf-427-444-vs03.kml	gpx-version

Useful
You might check the relevant webpages in the 'All markers'-section and 'All my trips'-section. They provide pictures of the bordermarkers and additional information.

Version 03
May 2017. If you have any correction, suggestion etcetera -> please email me: eefberns@grenspalen.nl

MAPS AND DIRECTIONS

Print your own maps
It's easy to print your own - custom made - maps with the GRPdesBF-route and the bordermarkers on them.
See: Print your own maps

Bm427 at the Portella Blanca, looking into France

As you can see, you can pick up red/white waymarks

and descend into France.

Down in the valley, the mountain ridge to the right gets more in view,

including (zoom-in) the gap to where you have to climb to towards Portella Blanca de Meranges (bm428)

This zoom-in, shows the way up into that gap.

After ± 3km, you will get at the crossing of a stream. Just beyond the stream, you have to turn right and leave the red/white trail.

Having crossed the stream, cairns show you the way up ro Portella Blanca de Meranges

Climb uphill along the cairns - wayfinding is no problem -

until you arrive at this bowl below the Portella Blanca de Meranges

There are two successive green areas where a bivouac should be possible (if you bring your water).

The last part is steep. There are several cairns-routes: take the one which starts at the right side of the end of the bowl.

Having arrived at the Portella Blanca de Meranges with bm428.

This is the starting point of variant 1 which climbs SE to Puigpedros.

The main route descends into the valley towards a cabin (Refugi Joaquim Folch i Girona, acess free)

the cabin, you can pick up the red/white GR11-trail.

On this map we spot a different course (probably earlier version) for the GR11 but the actual course is the one followed by the GRPdesBF.

The GR11 descends in ± 4,5 km to Refugi de Malniu.

Just before the Refugi there's this free camping area with access to streaming water at the stone bridge, just beyond the Refugio.

The GR11 continues to the W, mainly through fields and forest.

Note the Refugi de la Feixa which could suit your need for an overnight's shelter.

Continue on the GR11 until it crosses a road close the 'Estació d'esqui de fons de Guils Fontera'. Go left on that road.

The Google Earth shows better how the GRPdesBF descends further towards bm442/443. It takes tranquil trails through the forests but you might as well follow the tarmac road until the connection with variant 1.

Variant 1 via bm429-442

Bm428, looking SE to the summit of Puigpedrós.

There's a trail uphill waymarked with cairns.

When you arrive at the top, there are three hilltops.

The Puigpedros-summit is the third hilltop on the ridge and clearly the highest.

The Puigpedros -officially 2915m - is the highest point on the entire GRPdesBF.

In fact you don't need to 'do' the Puigpedrós - you can head straight from the ridge to bm 429 - but as a famous landmark it's included in the GRPdesBF.

This picture: looking E over the plains where the borderline is a straigt line to bm430 with bm429 in between.

There is no trail and no waymarking. Just cross the plains eastwards to the hilltop.

After ± 750m (from Puigpedrós) a stream appears

and in this zoom-in you can spot further on a bordermarker.

This is not an esfr-bordermarker but a local marker.

Bm429 is bordercross at the foot of the local marker.

As you can see, it's is a confluence of two streams. You might bivouac around here. But its high and exposed here.

Then straight on to the hilltop 1200m to the E

At the top of this rocky hilltop, you will find bm430

Now continuing 1200m to the NEE to bm431 which is a pillar.

Zoom-in of previous picture

Bm431 becomes visible

Bm431, looking towards the direction of bm430 where you come from.

Then 1300m to the SE - gradually descending - to bm432.

The small hilltop where bm432 can be found.

B432 at the top of that hilltop

The next bm (433) is to the NE at 250m and might be missed because of its tilted position.

Bm433

Then continuing straigt on (NE) for 400m to bm434.

This picture: bm434 in the distance.

Bm434 is at the end of the high plains where bm429-434 are placed.

It will take you approximately 2.30h to cross the plains from Puigpedrós to bm434.

Now descend SSE for 350m to bm435 which can be easily missed.

Bm435 is engraved at this rock formation

Bm435

Then descending further - now SEE - to bm436 at 350m from bm435

Bm436 is engraved at a large and well recognizable boulder,

The boulder seen from the other side.

Bm436 is engraved at this side but is very difficult to recognize.

From the side of the boulder you could climb to it but it's risky.

This is the spot of the actual cross and number in 2015 but not recognizable.

Bm436 in 2010 when it was painted.

Zoom-in from the picture of 2015

Zoom-in from the picture of 2010

Continuing downhill, a sign like this is a bordermarker in itself.

The next bm (437) can be found

at the right side (= S-side) of this forest strip and then at the most southern of a few rock formations.

This map shows the position of bm437 , S of the forest-strip.

But bm437 is not easy to find without a clue like this picture

Bm437

Bm437 I is not far away from bm437 - 125m to the SSE - but is hidden behind trees.

This Google Earth screenprint might help you to find it.

There is an open grassy space in between which helps orienting.

But how to proceed to bm438? A direct descent SE is not impossible but difficult because of the thick broom undergrowth. There's a longer but much smoother route.

From the open space between bm437 and 437 I, there's a vague and grassy dirtroad going E. After 250m it merges with distinct dirtroad. Go right (=S) and follow this dirtroad, descending in its windings (S-N-SE-S) for 750m until

this fence appears at your right hand.

Now continue S along this fence for 100m

until this fence-crossing.

Cross the fence and follow the grassy dirtroad for 150m downhill

Then the dirtroad bends SE and after 25m you are here.

Bm438 is nearby but hidden at 25m distance at the right side of the fence

View SW from the fence towards the boulder of bm438.

Bm438

Wayfinding becomes easier now.

Get back at the dirtroad and descend further along the dirtroad for 150m and keep straight on, entering the forest.

A little stream appears at the right side, keep that in sight because

bm439 is standing besides that stream.

Just beyond bm439 cross the stream and now continue for ± 1km to the S and SSE to cover bm439 I to bm440.

Finding these bordermarkers is easy. First keep a fence at your left hand.

About 250m from bm439: Bm439 I

Then after 250m: bm439 II

Another 200m brings you to bm439 III which is hidden under a tree.

Bm439 III

Bm439 III

You now leave the fence out and descend to the the trail below bm439 III to continue S to bm440.

The trail leaves the forest and bm440 appears at your left hand.

Bm440

Then crossing a field - you can climb over the fence here - to get to

bm441 at the other side of a stream.

Bm441

From bm441 pick up the forest road going SE and pass

Bm442

Further on, the forest road ends at a tarmac road.

That's where you join the main route again.

From the connection of the variant with the main route: follow the tarmac road SE until - after 500m - an open strip appears at your left hand, descending steeply.

That's where bm443 is, down the road.

Bm443

Now descend down the open strip which is the border until

bm444 at the bottom of the strip, standing besides a stream.

A bivouac is well possible here.

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