Country:
City:
From Matemale, drive to the Col de Creu via the Route du Col de Creu (the D4), 3 km from the southern entrance to Matemale. From this pass, you can descend towards Railleu.
(S/E) (altitude 1,715) Take the track heading north. Very soon it veers eastwards; simply follow it. Along the way, you can see, on the right, the Canigou, the Madres and Mont Coronat. Follow this track for about 4.5 km. You’ll arrive at the Col de Sansa (1,775 m).
(1) Please note there are six possible directions. We’ll head towards Madres, due east. The refuge is normally signposted as 1.7 km away. After 1.4 km, you’ll reach a clearing.
(2) Follow the track to the right, heading south-south-west. Leave the yellow-red marked path (a variant of the Tour du Capcir). Very soon you’ll come to another clearing, where a sign points to the Refuge Les Estagnols, 200 m away (1,792 m). The view is magnificent. Please note: in heavy snow, the lake (Les Estagnols) is hidden beneath a layer of ice and snow. Be sure to follow the tracks left by other walkers.
(3) After a break (halfway point), we set off again in the opposite direction towards the Coll de Sansa.
(1) Head straight on, due west. In fact, you need to find the yellow-and-red markings for the Tour du Capcir. We descend via this other marked track, which is very rarely used in winter.
Simply follow this track (yellow-red markings) carefully, which will take us back towards Matemale. After about 3 km, we reach a junction (1612 m).
(4) Caution: You must ignore the track that descends to your right. Carry on for about 400 m, following the yellow-and-red markings, heading due south.
(5) Ignore the yellow-red markings. Carry on straight ahead along the track, which climbs gently. Follow this track, continuing to climb; after a few bends, you’ll reach the Col de Creu /A::.
Visorando Member
Easy 
Difficult 
