Cortalets - Mas Malet via Prat-Cabrera, La Mouline, Chemin des Muletiers

(S) Follow the north wall of the refuge (kitchen) towards the generator and the clothesline. Directional signpost.

White and red markings - GR®10 - GR®36 variant - GR® T83.

(1) Find the start of a very damaged path that descends into the forest, heading north. After a series of hairpin bends and tricky passages, join the bend in the stony track leading to the refuge.

(2) Continue downhill, keeping to the right on this track, and rejoin Ras dels Cortalets, which you passed the day before. Take care: there are numerous signposts! 6 directions. A beautiful spot for a break.

Yellow markings

(3) Head right, due east, and descend along a recently marked path towards Prats Cabrera. After numerous switchbacks, continue along this good path, which turns right, south, then due east, passing small streams.

(4) Continue along an old grassy track that is almost flat for about 300 m. Look for a path on the right.

(5) Climb steeply to the right along this path through the forest. The path turns right, heading south, and arrives at a grazing area. Look out for the yellow markings. Cross the Còrrec de les Collisses, climb a little and continue east until you quickly come to a bend in a logging track (recent).

(6) Keep left on this recent track, which has washed away the markings. Reach the edge of the forest and a large grazing area. Continue along the track suitable for vehicles. The Refuge de Prat Cabrera and its spring are located further down, behind a wooden fence. The hut is occupied by the shepherd during the summer. Do not go down unless you need water. Please respect the peace and quiet of the place. Thank you. Look forsmall wooden posts with yellow markings.

(7) From the track, without going to the refuge, descend steeply to the left, straight down the slope, following the markings. Further down, join a well-marked cross path.

(8) Continue to the left, further on, leaving an old track on your right. Cross the Còrrec de les Collisses and turn north-east. Take care: the path is very damaged in places. The path curves sharply to the left and heads north. Go down a few wooden steps and you will come out onto the Piste Forestière du LLec.

(9) Follow it to the left, north, for 100 m and look for the double yellow markings on a tree on the right.

(10) Caution: descend steeply to the right into the forest and after a few metres, on the left, you will find the continuation of the path, which is clearly marked on the ground. Much further on, climb slightly and emerge between rocks at the bend in the same Piste Forestière du LLec.
Alternative: continue along the track.

Scatteredyellow markings

(11) Follow it to the right for 120 m and look for a cairn on the right that I have reinforced.

(12) Descend along this good path and rejoin the LLec forest track.
Alternative: continue along the track.

(13) Cross the track and find the rest of the path (cairn that I have reinforced). Although signposted, the path is little used and therefore not very marked on the ground. You will soon arrive at the track (below on the right) and continue left until you reach a steep descent to the LLec forest track.
Alternative: continue right along the track.

(14) Follow it to the left, cross the bridge over the Còrrec del Salze and turn right towards the Refuge Forestier de La Mouline.
Many thanks to the last users for leaving the door and window open and for not leaving any rubbish behind. Look for a signpost on the left-hand side of the track (July 2025) indicating Mas Malet via the Chemin des Muletiers.

(15) Go up to the left and continue along this beautiful path that climbs through the forest and up the mountainside. Much further on, you will come to an electric fence. Do not cross it, but turn right and continue along the path. After a left-hand bend, you will come to the fence again.
Alternative: continue downhill to the Mas Malet car park via the track: this is slightly longer but only downhill.

(16) Go through the^first wooden gate in the fence, then open and close an insulated handle on the electric fence! Phew! A little further on, after a few bends in this beautiful path, you will come to a fork.

(17) Continue straight ahead, climbing at times until you reach the fork you passed the day before.
Alternative: continue right downhill and join the Piste Forestière du LLec (Lous Grounells) and follow it to the left until you reach the car park.

(18) Continue straight ahead on almost flat ground, then climb again for a long time. Then descend via the large hairpin bends of this beautiful Chemin des Muletiers to finally arrive at the Mas Malet car park (E).

Difficult day: make the most of the views and refuges to take restorative breaks (3), (7), (15), (18), (E).
Download the map and route in advance at the refuge (S). To my knowledge, there is no mobile phone coverage on the descent! Except perhaps in certain places at certain times: clearings, refuges!

Don't forget: 2 litres of water per person, snacks, GPS, smartphone, map or map extract, GPX track provided by Visorando, etc.
Don't forget the weight of your backpack for these two days : the Mas Malet loop to the Refuge des Cortalets.

In case of bad weather (15), there are rock shelters or wooden shelters at (7) and (E).

(15) and (E): free access to refuges: water, sleeping accommodation, fireplace, mandatory fire zone.

Ascent of Pic del Canigó from (S).