Loop from the Refuge des Conques to the Refuge de Mariailles

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This two-day hike, with an overnight stay at the Refuge de Mariailles, allows for shorter variations each day depending on the weather or individual needs.
This hike is not fully signposted. However, the suggested variations allow you to stay on the marked trails.

Two days in the mountains, from one refuge to another.
It is possible to start from the Mariailles Refuge, but add 2 hours from the Coll de Jou to climb up to it.

Details

n°76988906
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 31.19 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2 days 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,551 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,555 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,305 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,594 m

Photos

Changement de cap
Collada de Roques Blanques
La mer de nuages au Collada de Vent
Refuge de Pla Guillem

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

  1. S
    Du Refuge de Mariailles au Refuge des Conques

    From the Mariailles refuge to the Conques refuge

    ↔16.10 km ↗759 m ↘849 m
    Second stage of the: Loop from the Refuge des Conques to the Refuge de Mariailles Mountain hike with a permanent view of Pla Guillem at Porteilla des Avets Classified as difficult: open terrain, paths sometimes with old or no markings, steep slopes in places. See practical information. Allow 6 hours of sustained walking.
    View the route
  2. E
    Du Refuge des Conques au Refuge de Mariailles

    From the Refuge des Conques to the Refuge de Mariailles

    ↔15.08 km ↗801 m ↘717 m
    First stage of the: Loop from the Refuge des Conques to the Refuge de Mariailles Mountain hike with beautiful scenery, particularly from Coll de Bise to Collada de la Roqueta. Classified as difficult: exposed, steep slopes in places. See practical information. Allow 6 hours of sustained walking.
    View the route

Notes

Completed in early July 2025 without a heatwave, but part of the route is very shaded.

On the first day: water points at the Refuge les Conques, at the trough (filter or use a disinfectant tablet) and, on arrival, at the Mariailles refuge.
On the second day: water source at the Refuge de Mariailles and at the spring after the Portella des Avets.

Hiking equipment for two days, not forgetting: online booking, a sheet, toiletries, a change of clothes, rain gear, snacks, plenty of water, etc.
An IGN map or one provided by Visorando and the GPX track are essential. This is because the signposts do not always indicate the name of the desired destination!

An extra night at the Mariailles Refuge allows you to climb Canigou or the Barbet ridges.

This route passes through multiple protected areas, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

Other walks in the area

Walking From the Mariailles refuge to the Conques refuge

Visorando member
Du Refuge de Mariailles au Refuge des Conques
↔16.10 km ↗+759 m ↘-849 m ◔6h 45 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Casteil (Pyrénées-Orientales)
Second stage of the: Loop from the Refuge des Conques to the Refuge de Mariailles Mountain hike with a permanent view of Pla Guillem at Porteilla des Avets Classified as difficult: open terrain, paths sometimes with old or no markings, steep slopes in places. See practical information. Allow 6 hours of sustained walking.

Walking Mariailles refuge - Cortalets refuge

Visorando member
Refuge de Mariailles - Refuge des Cortalets
↔12.95 km ↗+1,134 m ↘-673 m ◔6h 55 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Casteil (Pyrénées-Orientales)
Second stage of the Three Days on Canigou.From Mariailles to Les Cortalets via the Canigou Chimney.A fairly demanding stage due to the elevation gain and distance.⚠️ Passing through the Cheminée à Vue as the yellow markings have been erased – path closed (not recommended)See practical information below.⚠️ Works at the Cortalets refuge 2026, 2027, 2028. Renovation of the Cortalets refuge; Cortalets refuge closed for works

Walking From the Refuge de Mariailles to the Refuge des Cortalets

Visorando member
Du Refuge de Mariailles au Refuge des Cortalets
↔15.53 km ↗+1,052 m ↘-591 m ◔7h 25 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Casteil (Pyrénées-Orientales)
Sixth stage of the 8-day clockwise Tour du Canigou.A fairly long, undulating stage.The path is mostly on a ridge.The day ends with a difficult climb from the Bonne Aigue refuge. ⚠️ Renovation work at the Cortalets Refuge in 2026, 2027 and 2028. The Cortalets Refuge is closed for renovation work.

Walking Mariailles - Cortalets

Visorando member
↔12.96 km ↗+1,180 m ↘-716 m ◔7h 05 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Casteil (Pyrénées-Orientales)
The fourth stage highlights the ascent of Canigou. Please take note of the following warnings about this route: ''Info 2023: The route linking Pic du Canigó and passing through the chimney is no longer marked. The Conflent Canigó Tourist Office cannot provide information on its accessibility. It is strongly recommended that you take the Barbet ridges (PR®8) or the GR®10 if you are coming from the Mariailles refuge to reach the Cortalets refuge. In addition, please note: as climbing the peak is a high-altitude mountain activity, it is important to be prepared, informed and well equipped." See also this link

Walking Refuge de Mariailles - Refuge des Cortalets

Visorando member
Refuge de Mariailles - Refuge des Cortalets
↔16.32 km ↗+1,066 m ↘-637 m ◔7h 45 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Casteil (Pyrénées-Orientales)
This stage is the first part of a two-day circular around the Canigou Massif. This first stage takes you around the peak to the west, from the Mariailles Refuge to the Cortalets Refuge, via the Bonne Aigue Refuge. It's a good warm-up before the next day's climb.

Walking The circular of the Canigou

Visorando member
La boucle du Canigou
↔30.04 km ↗+1,801 m ↘-1,805 m ◔2 days ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Casteil (Pyrénées-Orientales)
Ascent to the Canigou massif from the west. Depart from the Mariailles refuge, following theGR®10to the Cortalets refuge. The next day, climb the peak then descend via the chimney and return via Pla de Cady to the Arago Refuge, before joining theGR®10and returning to Mariailles.

Walking Les Mates Roges and the Mariailles Refuge from Coll de Jou

Visorando member
Les Mates Roges et le Refuge de Mariailles depuis le Coll de Jou
↔12.94 km ↗+694 m ↘-691 m ◔5h 40 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Sahorre (Pyrénées-Orientales)
From Coll de Jou, a discovery hike with viewpoints offering beautiful panoramas. Passing through Collada de Botifarra, Mates Roges, Mariailles Refuge, Coll del Cavall Mort, Coll de Creu. This is a much more pleasant way to reach the Mariailles Refuge, where you can stay overnight if you wish. This route is marked and presents no difficulty except for the steep slopes between (2), (3) and (4).

Walking Around Saint-Martin du Canigou Abbey

Visorando member
↔6.77 km ↗+598 m ↘-597 m ◔3h 40 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Casteil (Pyrénées-Orientales)
An exceptional hike around Saint-Martin du Canigou Abbey, a true jewel of the cultural and religious heritage of the Pyrénées-Orientales. Don't be fooled by the short distance of the route: there is a significant elevation gain and the slopes are sometimes very steep. Caution is advised for those prone to vertigo, as one section requires the use of handrails installed for the safety of hikers.

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