Puig de l'Artiga del Rei, Mountain peak at France-Spain border in Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste and Molló
Puig de l'Artiga del Rei is a mountain peak reaching 1,640 meters (5,381 feet) that forms a natural boundary between France and Spain in the eastern Pyrenees. The summit dominates the borderland landscape with steep slopes and open grassy plateaus.
The territory surrounding this peak was contested until the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659 formally established the border between the two nations. This agreement permanently affected how mountain communities on both sides interacted and managed their lands.
The summit serves as a landmark for herders who move livestock between Spanish and French pastures, maintaining traditional pastoral practices. Visitors can observe these farming methods in the high meadows where flocks graze seasonally.
Marked hiking trails lead to the summit from both Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste and Molló, with paths maintained throughout the year. Starting from either village gives visitors options to explore different routes up the mountain.
The mountain creates a natural water divide where streams flow in opposite directions on each side, feeding different river systems. This watershed shows how geology shapes the entire borderland.
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