Du Refuge des Cortalets à Los Masos (Valmanya)

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Septième étape du Tour du Canigou sens horaire en 8 jours.
Dernière étape, tranquille avec un très beau panorama.
Il faut environ 4 heures pour rejoindre le parking de Los Masos. Le temps calculé par le logiciel n'est pas exact.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Tour du Canigou sens horaire en 8 jours

Details

n°709605
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.51 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 56 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,174 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,187 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,032 m
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Description of the walk

(S) Départ du Refuge des Cortalets. Au carrefour de chemin, partir tout droit, Sud-Est par la variante du GR®10, balisage Rouge et Blanc également. Laisser à gauche, le GR®10 qui descend vers la piste et laisser à droite, le GR®10 de la veille. Le chemin monte à peine et entre dans la forêt.

(1) Bifurcation (point coté 2171). Partir à gauche, continuer sur la variante du GR®10, balisage Rouge et Blanc, plein Sud-Est
Nota : Cette bifurcation est maintenant matérialisée. À droite c'est la montée aux Crêtes du Barbet.
Passer les points cotés 2154 et 2254 (épave d'un avion). Poursuivre en suivant le balisage Rouge et Blanc. Passer le point coté 1865 et descendre vers la piste pour rejoindre le Ras de Prat Cabrera.

(2) Carrefour de piste et chemins (point coté 1738). Quitter le GR®10 pour suivre le GR®36.
Partir tout droit, dans l'estive, en suivant le balisage Rouge et Jaune, Nord-Est.
Ne pas s'engager sur la piste et quitter le GR®10 qui part sur le chemin en balcon du Canigou.
Le chemin descend et rejoint la piste. Balisage Rouge et Jaune. Suivre cette piste durant 600m. Prêtez attention.

(3) Bifurcation (point coté 1650). Quitte la piste pour monter à droite. Balisage rouge et Jaune.

(4) Nouvelle bifurcation.Continuer à droite, en descendant raide par un chemin du bois de Patriques. Balisage Rouge et Jaune. Passer les points cotés 1504 et 1132. Passer une barrière en ferraille, franchir un petit ruisseau.
Prêtez attention.

(5) Bifurcation (point coté 1100) virer à droite à 90° le long d’une clôture. Ne pas aller en face dans le hameau.
Suivre le balisage Rouge et Jaune peu visible. Rejoindre une petite route macadamisée sans issue.
À la bifurcation, partir à droite par cette petite route, en direction du parking, terminus de la route D 13d (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 2,150 m - Refuge des Cortalets
  2. 1 : km 0.3 - alt. 2,173 m - Bifurcation. Partir à gauche Rouge et Blanc.
  3. 2 : km 3.54 - alt. 1,739 m - Carrefour. Partir tout droit, Rouge et Jaune
  4. 3 : km 4.19 - alt. 1,650 m - Bifurcation. Partir à droite. (point coté 1650)
  5. 4 : km 4.32 - alt. 1,666 m - Bifurcation. Partir à droite. (point coté 1100)
  6. 5 : km 5.93 - alt. 1,105 m - À droite
  7. E : km 6.51 - alt. 1,032 m - Parking fin de route - Lentillà (rivière) à finaliser

Notes

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

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.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 1 review
Reliability of the description
Not used
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
jpbeldame
jpbeldame

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

There are two routes from Cortalets to Ras de Prat Cabrera: either via the GR10/GR36, which is a beautiful trail through woods and meadows with superb views, or via the alternative route, which follows a gently sloping, stony forest track that is of no interest whatsoever. You have to choose.
From Ras de Prat Cabrera to Los Masos, it is a 600m descent through the woods via the GR36, which is steep but well marked and winds through a beautiful forest of tall beech trees.

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Other walks in the area

Walking Refuge des Cortalets - Refuge de Mariailles via Canigou

Visorando member
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This day is devoted to the ascent of Pic du Canigou from the Refuge des Cortalets, and the descent via the chimney to the Refuge Arago, then to Mariailles, the starting point of the hike.

Walking Refuge des Cortalets - Casteil

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↔12.51 km ↗+274 m ↘-1,613 m ◔4h 20 ▲Difficult
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Third stage of the Three Days at Canigou. A very pleasant return to the starting point of these three days via old, little-used paths. This hike is classified as difficult because it involves a 1,650-metre descent, with a steep slope over a little more than two kilometres. Allow at least five hours of walking.

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

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Second stage of the Mas Malet loop to the Refuge des Cortalets. Return (descent) to Mas Malet via little-used paths, marked with directional posts (as of July 2025). Allow around 5 hours for the walk. The GPX track may prove very useful in places.Please note: classified as difficult, with a descent of over 1,500 m, but sheltered from the heat and offering beautiful views and refuges. The only drawback is undoubtedly the climb back up to follow the beautiful Chemin des Muletiers from La Mouline (15). There is an alternative route that avoids this by descending via the track. Another more radical alternative is to descend only via the track from (9) to (E).

Walking Pic du Canigou - From the Cortalets Refuge to Los Masos

Visorando member
↔15.42 km ↗+791 m ↘-1,907 m ◔6h 40 ▲Difficult
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This is the continuation of the Pic du Canigou - Los Masos hike from the Refuge des Cortalets. It passes through the Crêtes du Barbet, the Portella de Vallmanya, the Brèche Durier, the Pic del Canigó, the Refuge des Cortalets and ends at Los Masos. Pass through the chimney as the yellow markings have been erased - path closed (not recommended). See practical information below.

Walking From Cortalets to Mariailles via the Barbet ridges and the Moura hut

Visorando member
De Cortalets à Mariailles par les crêtes du Barbet et la cabane de Moura
↔14.66 km ↗+978 m ↘-1,430 m ◔7h 00 ▲Difficult
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Walking Mas Malet - Cortalets via Roc Mosquit, Ras dels Cortalets

Visorando member
Mas Malet - Cortalets par Roc Mosquit, Ras dels Cortalets
↔9.14 km ↗+1,399 m ↘-101 m ◔6h 35 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Estoher (Pyrénées-Orientales)
First stage of the circular route from Mas Malet to the Refuge des Cortalets. Ascent to Les Cortalets via little-used paths, marked with directional posts that are present and in very good condition (as of July 2025). This is an alternative route through the forest, sheltered from the intense heat, and above all featuring a steady climb with beautiful views. The only drawback is the access to the start via a recently resurfaced track suitable for vehicles (as of July 2025) up to Coll del Forn. After that, driving carefully, you’ll reach the car park without any trouble. It’s clear that a very low-slung car risks scraping the ground. ⚠️ Works at the Cortalets refuge in 2026, 2027 and 2028. Renovation of the Cortalets refuge; Cortalets refuge closed for works

Walking Mas Malet loop to the Refuge des Cortalets

Visorando member
Boucle du Mas Malet au Refuge des Cortalets
↔20.99 km ↗+1,620 m ↘-1,616 m ◔2 days ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Estoher (Pyrénées-Orientales)
This two-day hike, with an overnight stay at the Refuge des Cortalets, allows for one or more alternative routes each day, depending on the weather or your needs. The route is fully signposted. The suggested alternatives stay on the signposted paths or tracks, so there is no risk of getting lost. In addition, on thefirst day (upon arrival) or thesecond day (before descending): the ascent of Pic del Canigó (a round trip from the refuge). Access details are provided at the start of the description for the first stage. ⚠️ Works at the Cortalets refuge in 2026, 2027 and 2028. Renovation of the Cortalets refuge; the Cortalets refuge is closed for works.

Walking Canigou from Los Masos de Valmanya and the Crête du Barbet

Visorando member
Le Canigou depuis Los Masos de Valmanya et la Crête du Barbet
↔21.66 km ↗+1,890 m ↘-1,885 m ◔10 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Valmanya (Pyrénées-Orientales)
A very beautiful hike, the difficulty lies in its length. Passage through the chimney is visible as the yellow markings have been erased - path closed (not recommended). See practical information below.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.