"It’s free - it is the canyoning which costs money
My favourite of the many gorges round here, and one of the reasons I moved to this area to live - its stunning natural features that make for perfect cycling and walking routes. And the Galamus is one of my favourite ride routes, I never get tired of it. So here’s a local’s guide to it…
Amazingly, this gorge which drains north to south, used to drain south to north(!) With the Pyrenees building in the south, it gently flipped and drains the Pêche de Bugarach now.
There are two routes in, with parking at both ends. However, there is a tunnel at the southern end with a height limit of 2.70m, and there is so much overhanging rock on the road itself, driving in a regular car is something to think carefully about.
Above the tunnel entrance, in Occitan, lies this short verse carved in the 1890s.

"In this peeled rock that holes the Sabine
Where the eagle in his flight dared to come alone
Hung by a rope with the mine bar
Man like the bird has found a way"

There are passing places, but cyclists and walkers share the road. One wrong move and you may be re-enacting the Italian Job final scene. The guard wall is low, and not reinforced.
So unless you absolutely must drive through, then park up and walk. It is a full kilometre or so between the two car parks, there is NO stopping between.
The gorge is best enjoyed outside of a car anyway. The road which clings perilously to the side was created by miners, roped together, back in 1890. The road is pretty flat along the length, and there are occasional fenced sections which are mostly safe - I’ve noticed some loose bits on some so take care - but they permit you to safely look through and down the nearly 70-80m down into the heart of the gorge.
Canyoning is popular towards the north end, a lot of fun from people I know who gave done it, in among colourful golden pools deep down.
Then there is the hidden hermitage, carved into the side of the canyon back in the 15th century, and home to many relics since the 19th century, sent from Rome. It also houses a little open air gift shop and cafe, and provides calm and solitude, as well as shelter from the heat in summer. See my review on the ermitage itself for more, and some pictures.
Winds can be strong here, so make your visit on a calmer day - not easy to find in the Pyrenees-Orientale, but it will be worth it.
June might see some very territorial swallows try and attack you halfway along. They’re a bit scary, so just be ready. It’s a phenomenon I’ve experienced in other gorges too during this month.
The views from the gorge are stunning. Personally, I prefer cycling it from north to south- the gorge opens up steadily and the giant Mount Canigou peeps out from the gaps, revealing its full majesty when you reach the southern car park, and the balcon road towards St Paul. After that there’s a terrific fast descent on wide roads (be careful of buses and motorcycles though), and you end up coasting gently through vineyards.
Riding south to north means you miss a lot of this, and have a fairly challenging, bumpy, 6% climb, often into the wind and heat.
There are signposted off-road walks here, allowing you to avoid the sometimes busy road. But they’re steep and challenging. I usually walk on the road. Overflow parking is to the south just before the descent, and the road is not really a problem for walkers, just be in single file.
During high season, marshals are in place to handle traffic, limiting it to one-way only (via walkie talkies) in alternating flow. Which means driving through can take 20-30 minutes instead of just 5-10. The place is swarming with pedestrians in July and August.
So now you know everything, go and enjoy this spectacle of nature! 😀"

1000thousand Steps

"Another amazing stop in France - Gorge de Galamus. Walking through, we were struck by how the road literally clings to the cliffs while the river rushes far below.
Our son decided the turquoise pools looked perfect for cooling off... and was the only one brave enough to try. (The water was freezing, of course!
Not exactly the highlight, but still impressive: a tiny 9th-century hermitage tucked right into the rock,
A wonderful walk overall - we even spotted eagles circling overhead"

Marina S

"What a spectacular place. We drove right through the gorge and it is stunning. I highly recommend"

Paul Farrell