Wine hike to the Saint-Vincent hermitage from Domaine Bota Nostra

The Agly Valley From: 45 €

View of the village of Estagel from the garrigue hills, with the Corbières on the horizon

Facade of the Saint-Vincent hermitage in Estagel and its bell gable, between cypresses and olive trees

Stone walls of the pre-Romanesque east end of the Saint-Vincent hermitage, on its hillock above Estagel

The Agly valley and the village of Estagel among the vineyards, seen from the heights

Freshly harvested black grapes at Domaine Bota Nostra

+1 photos

Duration

Distance

5,53 km

Elevation +

275 m

Max Group

12 people

Languages

CA · EN · ES · FR

In Estagel, in the heart of the Agly valley, the Manchon family has been growing vines for six generations. This guided 5.5 km wine hike leaves from Domaine Bota Nostra, soon reaches the Saint-Vincent hermitage, one of the oldest religious buildings in Roussillon, then follows the botanical trail of the Chemin de las Feixes through the garrigue of the Estagel hills before returning to the estate for a natural wine tasting.

Bota Nostra, six generations of winegrowers in Estagel

Raymond Manchon's great-grandparents helped found the cooperative wineries of Estagel and Latour-de-France. Raymond first ran a rock and roll bar before becoming a full-time winegrower in 1991. The estate has been certified organic since 2012. Its oldest vines, including century-old Carignan, are kept for the estate's own wines, planted on schist, clay-limestone and gneiss. The winemaking is natural: native yeasts, little or no sulphur, no fining or filtration, long macerations and ageing in old barrels. Today, his son Galdric makes the wines in a renovated century-old cellar.

The route: from the hermitage to the Chemin de las Feixes

The loop of about 5.5 km takes 2 hours. Shortly after leaving the village, you reach the Saint-Vincent hermitage, set on a hillock east of Estagel. The path then joins the Chemin de las Feixes, a botanical trail through the garrigue, heads south-east, drops into a small valley and climbs again to the high point of the route, at 235 m, on the slopes of the Serrat d'en Bougader. It finally comes back down through meadows and vines to the estate. The elevation gain is about 280 m: the walk is not technical, but includes two real climbs. The guide stays with the group throughout the loop.

The Saint-Vincent hermitage, a pre-Romanesque gem

First mentioned in 1100, the church of Saint-Vincent was Estagel's original church before becoming a hermitage. Its square east end, pierced by a small window, dates back to the 10th century and is one of the rare examples of pre-Romanesque architecture in Roussillon, while the vaulted nave dates from the 11th century. From the hillock, the view takes in the village, the Agly valley and the Corbières hills.

The Chemin de las Feixes, a botanical trail

After the hermitage, the Chemin de las Feixes becomes a botanical trail devoted to the local Mediterranean flora. It was created by the young people of the Point Jeunes, Estagel's youth centre, who designed the signs along the way: as you walk, they help you identify the plant species of the garrigue and get to know them, each plant with its own story. It takes its name from the feixes, the traditional cultivation terraces of the Pyrénées-Orientales: in Catalan, a feixa is a strip of land carved into the slope and held up by a dry-stone wall, built by hand without mortar. These walls held back the soil and the rainwater and made it possible to grow vines or olive trees on hillsides that were too steep: they still shape the landscapes of Roussillon today.

Practical information

The hike is led by a guide, for groups of 2 to 12 people. It starts and ends at the estate, and the exact meeting point is sent to you after booking. Departures are on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the early afternoon, so that the walk leads into the tasting at the estate at the end of the day.

When to do this hike

Spring and autumn are the ideal seasons: mild temperatures, garrigue in bloom or vines in harvest colours. In summer, the afternoon heat is strong on these hills with little shade: bring plenty of water and a hat.

The walk ends at the estate with a tasting of its natural wines and a chat with the winegrowers about their old vines and the way they make their wine.

From: €45.00

November 2026

Start time

Visit language

Adults

18+

Children

Under 18

Total €0.00

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Hike details

Distance

6 km

Elevation gain

275 m

Level

Intermediate

Type

Loop / short tour

Estimated duration

2h to 2h30

Terrain

Stony paths, vineyard tracks and coastal trails

Best season

Spring, autumn and winter

Commitment

Soft mobility

Route map

GPX after booking

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GPX track, numbered waypoints and fullscreen available after booking.

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Included

Hike accompanied by a guide
5.5 km hike starting from the estate, with the GPX track of the route
Discovery of the Saint-Vincent hermitage, a 10th-century pre-Romanesque church
Botanical trail of the Chemin de las Feixes, with signs on the Mediterranean flora made by Estagel's young people
Walk through the garrigue of the Estagel hills, with views over the Agly valley
Guide's commentary on the landscape, the history of Estagel and the old vines
Tasting of the estate's natural wines at the end of the hike
Exchange with the winegrowers about their wines and their terroir
Small group of 2 to 12 people

Recommendations

Closed walking shoes, 1.5 litres of water per person, a hat and sunscreen: the garrigue has little shade and the route has about 280 m of climbing. In July and August, the afternoon departure is hot: stay on the trails and bring a windbreaker in case of tramontane.

Our approach

Another way to discover the Catalan vineyards

At Viny'aquí, we believe wine is also discovered on foot. Our oenorandos connect landscapes, terroirs and human encounters along accessible, authentic routes.

This experience in Pyrénées-Orientales helps you understand how the winegrowers work a land shaped by wind, stone and sea — favouring soft mobility and support for local producers.

Your guide

Julien

Passionate about the landscapes of Roussillon and the connections between nature and viticulture, I accompany you on wine hikes designed as genuine immersive experiences, to help you disconnect and reconnect. Between hiking, local culture, and visits to wine estates, I design each itinerary to offer a balance between the pleasure of walking, discovering the terroir, and moments of sharing. My goal: to offer a simple, accessible, and authentic approach to wine tourism, where you take the time to understand both the landscapes you cross and the wines you taste.

Email and phone shared after booking.

FAQ

The route is approximately 5.5 km, with about 280 m of positive elevation gain. It ranges between 75 m and 235 m altitude, the high point being on the slopes of the Serrat d'en Bougader. The GPX track is available on the activity page.

Allow about 2 hours of walking. The level is intermediate: two steady climbs, with no technical difficulty, suited to walkers used to walking for two hours.

It is Estagel's original church, first mentioned in 1100 and later turned into a hermitage. Its 10th-century square east end is a rare example of pre-Romanesque architecture in Roussillon. It stands on a hillock east of the village, at the start of the route. Just after it, the hike follows the botanical trail of the Chemin de las Feixes, named after the terraces held up by the dry-stone walls typical of the Pyrénées-Orientales.

Yes. The estate has been certified organic since 2012. Its natural wines are made from old vines, with native yeasts, little or no sulphur, and no fining or filtration.

The price includes the hike accompanied by a guide, the GPX track of the route, the discovery of the Saint-Vincent hermitage, commentary on the landscape and the old vines, a tasting of the estate's natural wines at the end of the walk, and discussions with the winegrowers.

The price is €45 per person, including guide and tasting. The activity accommodates 2 to 12 participants.

The hike starts at the estate and returns there. The exact meeting point is sent to you after booking. Departures are on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the early afternoon: available time slots are shown in the booking calendar.

You can cancel up to 1 day before the activity without cancellation fees.

Bring closed walking shoes, 1.5 litres of water per person, a hat and sunscreen: the garrigue has little shade. A windbreaker is useful in case of tramontane. Stay on the trails throughout the walk.