Pyrenees vacation - Hike 2, Molló (Spain) to Prats-de-Mollo (France)

After the experience on our first day of hiking with the Wikireisen package, we decided to be a bit more careful.  In retrospect, were are spoiled by the incredibly well marked and managed hiking trails in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.  We blindly assumed that hiking trails everywhere are so well signed.  Of course, the problemn could lie with the Wikireisen directions themselves... we'll see.

The second day's hike would take us across the border from Spain and into France's Pyrenees.  There is a nature reserve nearby (see map below) and the scenery promised to continue to be gorgeous.

In the spirit of caution, Frau A and I got up even earlier and spent a long breakfast translating in detail the hiking instructions.  We would manage the twists and turns more carefully today, even if it took some of the relaxation out of the experience.  Better than being lost in the mountains.

After we had made copious notes, we departed from the hotel in Mollo.  Incredibly, the very first instruction was unclear.  It said to "exit the hotel and turn right".  The problem:  the hotel sits on a street corner, and there are two exits!  Therefore, depending on which exit you took, you would take a different direction.  We weren't sure if this was hilarious or depressing, but it was casting doubt more and more on the directions from Wikireisen.

Fortunately, we figured it out quickly and headed down into the valley - with pretty views of the town church.

Today, we would be heading downwards first, and then go up and across a mountain to Prats-de-Mollo.

For the first hour -- after the first instruction, anyway -- things were going smoothly.  We identified every intersection and turn, and were rewarded with signs comfirming our path and position.

Unfortunately, we came to an instruction that said to turn right and follow the covered path.  Of course, the covered path went left at the Y-junction.  We guess correctly that the covered path was more important than right/left indication, but confidence was not high in the directions at this point.

The covered path was very rocky but beautiful.  At least that was worth the moment of confusion.

We emerged by an old mill alongside a small river.  Really nice.  Like the day before, we were basically alone on the trails, with complete peace and quiet (but nobody to ask for confirming directions either).

After crossing the river, we started the day's ascent.  After 1.5 hours we could look back over the valley.

Sure enough, we ran into more mountain horses.  (I.e., another stop for Frau A to take photos!)

After another hour ascending in the woods, we reached an elevation that was clear and grassy.  Right in front of us was a stone marker -- we had reached the Spanish-French border!  Still on track for that day too.

The weather was again beautiful, so we decided to have our lunch here along the border, in the sun.

Even better, signs continued to confirm that we were following directions correctly.

So we crossed into France and started the descent into Prats-de-Mollo, again going through the woods.

An hour later we walked by a farm with two donkeys - wish we had brought sugar cubes for them.
They were much more curious than the horses or cows, and not afraid to come right to the fence. 

Then in the early afternoon, we emerged from the woods with a view of our destination.  We could see the church and fortress dominating the hill on which the town sits.  Very satisfying.

We entered the town through the old stone wall & gate.  Very cool.  Frau A had to take some photos here.

Walking past the old walls was a great reward for the day's hike...

...plus there were some smaller churches that looked lovely.

We had one more arch to go through, and then on to the hotel, for showers and then dinner.

Day 2 was pretty satisfying.  There were some glitches in the hiking instructions that continued to give us pause.  But we made it, had gorgeous scenery and photos, and lots of fresh air.  Just a great day.

As you'll see in the next posts, the ominous signs of bad instructions turned into real problems... but we found a way.