From the Refuge des Conques to the Refuge de Mariailles

From Le Boulou, head to Prats-de-Mollo (D115), cross it, and keep going until you get to the entrance to La Preste les Bains (D115a). Just before arriving at La Preste, when the road splits in two, take the road on the right to Refuge de Las Conques. At the last fork in the road (1,584 m), continue left and park in the large car park.

Yellow and red markings. Directional sign

(S/E) Go through the gate in the fence and climb towards Coll Baix. Head towards the forest.

No markings

(1) Without entering, follow it uphill, north-west, through the pasture, which is a former ski slope. After a steep climb, look for a wooden signpost.

(2) Head right, due north, along a good path that is not very marked on the ground. Quickly rejoin a grassy track with young fir trees on either side. Follow it downhill until you reach an open area (old shelter on the left). Continue to the end of a track suitable for vehicles with a picnic table on the right.

(3) Descend to the left along this track and you will come to another open grazing area (Forquets shepherd's hut (private) high up on the left). Join a road further down and follow it to the left. Forquets car park. Gate closed in summer.

Yellow and red markings. GRP® Tour du Canigou

(4) After the gate, continue along the track. When the track loses its tarmac surface and becomes rough, look for short round wooden posts on the left. There is a wooden signpost (which I placed on a tree as it had fallen to the ground). This is La Togne.

Small wooden posts painted yellow

(5) Go up to the left, pass some damaged wooden decking. Begin a very steep climb to the watering hole (filled with water in early July 2025).

(6) Look for the small wooden posts and continue the very steep climb to a cross track.

(7) Cross it, pass the erosion control area and continue the very steep climb to the Coll de Bise. Basic signpost.

No markings. Cairn at the start of the trail

(8) Please note: the direction to follow is not indicated. Turn right and continue horizontally (north-west) on a pretty balcony path that climbs slightly. You will arrive in an open area.

Cairns and small wooden posts painted yellow

(9) Please note: climb steeply to the left into the pasture. Look for the numerous cairns and arrive at a flat area at the highest point. Follow the small yellow-painted wooden posts to the right again. Further on, you will reach some springs and a signpost.

(10) From this point, make a wide right turn and take care to stay on the ridge as you climb slightly. After a short wooded section, you will reach an area where a torrent begins, feeding into the Ruisseau del Cabous.

(11) From this point, begin a very steep climb to a flat area in a left-hand bend at a promontory. There is a beautiful 360° view. Continue climbing west and, after passing a few rocks, you will reach Collade de les Voltes (elevation 2188). There is an orri (rock shelter) on the right.

(12) Now continue north on a rough path towards a wide pass. After passing through some rocks, you will come out into a grazing area at Collada del Vent. This place is often cold and windy, as the name of the pass suggests.

(13) Alternative: continue along the GRP®.
- Climb up to the right above the stone table, following the old fence. Pass some small peaks (I have placed cairns). Keep heading northeast along the old fence, without turning east. Continue to the point where the new fence (summer period) turns left (west).

(14) Caution: steep drops, cliffs. Cross the fence and head left, north, keeping a good distance from the cliffs of Cingle dels Pelegrins. (I have placed cairns). After describing a wide curve to the right (northeast), you will reach a large, well-built cairn and the GR® T83.E very beautiful, wild place, but often cold and windy

White and red markings

(15) Head left, northwest, and join the multiple crossroads at Pla Guillem (2,283 m).

Yellow markings are faint and there are cairns.

(16) Alternative: continue straight ahead on the GR® T83 - GRP®. But this is a shame, as it is the way back!
- Turn right (northeast) onto a small path that runs alongside the degraded track, straight ahead for 300 m until you reach a fork.

No markings

(17) Leave the grassy track that climbs to the right. Continue straight ahead on the rough track that descends. Turn left, still following this rough track. Very beautiful landscape. Looking to the right, far below, you can see the destination of this stage: the Mariailles forest refuge.
The track improves and flattens out. You will reach a large flat area where tracks and paths meet at Collada de la Roqueta.

White and red markings. GR® T83 - GRP® Tour du Canigou

(18) Alternative: continue along the track.
- Caution: very steep descent. Descend steeply to the right, heading east. You will rejoin the track much lower down.

(19) Cross it and continue descending steeply until you rejoin the track.

(20) After this descent, turn left onto the comfortable track suitable for vehicles. After a long time, you will reach a large crossroads.

Off the marked trail
(21) Continue straight ahead, descending along a wide, very rough path to reach your accommodation for the day.

(E) Today's stage at the Refuge de Mariailles.

Hike completed on 08/07/2025.
Significant positive gradient from (5) to (8) and from (11) to (12).
Suitable in high temperatures, as it is a high-altitude hike.

Water available at the car park at the start. Water should be filtered or disinfected at the drinking trough and trickling streams encountered.
remember to book your overnight stay on the website.

Standard hiking equipment for spending a night in a refuge: bed sheet, toiletries, first aid kit, change of clothes, rain gear, snacks, etc.

- An IGN map or at least the extract provided by Visorando and the GPX track are required.

Alternatives are suggested to follow the signposts from (13) to (16), from (16) to (18) or to avoid the steep descents from (18) to (20).

Mariailles refuge