Carança Gorges

A magnificent hike between gorges and mountains. Aerial passages, footbridges and rope bridges are guaranteed on this route. Do not attempt this route in rainy or snowy weather.
Please note: the elevation gain is overestimated by the software. The total elevation gain is 1,100 metres.

Details

583085
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Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 18.43 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 9h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,610 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,610 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,813 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 830 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From Perpignan, follow the N116 to Thuès-entre-Valls. Drive through the village; the gorges are well signposted. Follow Rue Juan del Ferrer, which leads straight to the car park.

(S/E) Take the path heading south, which quickly enters the gorges. Reach the first bridge.

(1) Cross it. Continue along the path uphill to reach an intersection.

(2) Turn left and then, a few dozen metres further on, at the next intersection, turn right towards the Dona-Pa Refuge. Continue zigzagging along this forest path, known as Cami Ramader. You will reach another intersection.

(3) Continue slightly to the right. Pass the Refuge de Dona-Pa to reach a large hairpin bend.

(4) Turn sharply left, do not head towards the spring. Continue along the path to the intersection between Cami Ramader and Pedra Dreta. Please note that there may still be snow between the spring and Pedra Dreta (hike completed in early May).

(5) Take Pedra Dreta on the left, a path that descends. Continue along this path alongside the Carança. Reach the gorges to find footbridges and rope bridges over the stream.

(6) Turn left and cross the river one last time, continuing along the path on the left bank. Enjoy the magnificent views of the gorge from the path carved into the cliff.
Return to the intersection you passed at the start of the hike.

(2) Take the path on the left, go through a small tunnel to reach the water pipes at the junction with theGRP® des Balcons de la Têt (yellow and red markings).

(7) Turn right and follow the steep descent to return to the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 830 m - Thuès-Entre-Valls car park - Gare de Thuès
  2. 1 : km 0.71 - alt. 878 m - Cross the bridge over the - Carança (rivière)
  3. 2 : km 1.06 - alt. 998 m - Common intersection A/R
  4. 3 : km 3.05 - alt. 1,384 m - Intersection: slightly to the right
  5. 4 : km 4.61 - alt. 1,616 m - Turn left
  6. 5 : km 10.58 - alt. 1,720 m - Turn left
  7. 6 : km 15.56 - alt. 1,027 m - Turn left and cross the - Carança (rivière)
  8. 7 : km 17.76 - alt. 996 m - Turn right
  9. S/E : km 18.43 - alt. 830 m - Thuès-Entre-Valls car park

Notes

This is a fairly challenging hike. Caution is advised for those prone to vertigo.

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

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 15 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
PF4
PF4

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike done in reverse, climbing up through the gorges and returning via the cami ramader (shepherds' path) with a night at the Ras de la Carença refuge and a return trip to the lake above, two hours from the refuge (magnificent view of a snow-covered cirque in early May). We saw marmots and chamois, and even a mouflon carcass (very rare in this area).
The hike is unique, with lots of varied landscapes and lush green flora at this time of year.
The gorges are well equipped with lifelines, handholds, ladders, footbridges and rope bridges for safe passage, even with children (under supervision, of course). There are several large trees across the paths, but they can all be bypassed without major difficulty.
The winding descent on the way back seems endless but allows you to admire the work of the ancients with their stone walls.
In conclusion, this is a wonderful hike to do at the beginning of the season to avoid the crowds and enjoy the best conditions

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Juliusk9
Juliusk9

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike, physically demanding but not impossible. You must not be afraid of heights.

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Toto49280
Toto49280
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Please note that this hike is reserved for experienced walkers. The climb is very steep, but above all, it is along the side of a mountain on a narrow path from 1,500 metres upwards, so you must not be afraid of heights. Not suitable for young children.
Once you reach the turning point (5), consider extending your hike by 2.5 km with a round trip to the Ras de la Carança refuge for a snack break.
The descent into the gorges is superb but very busy.

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Yonayo
Yonayo
• Edited:

Hello, does anyone know if this is feasible at the moment?
Thank you!
Have a good evening!

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Mick88
Mick88

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I had read in the Michelin guide that dogs were not allowed. There are no signs indicating this. So I didn't take mine, and I was right not to, because at kilometre 14, I came across the first ladder. The description mentioned footbridges, rope bridges and aerial walkways, nothing insurmountable for a dog.
I completed the entire route in one day.
In the last third, I hesitated because the path is sometimes not very visible.
It's a magnificent hike.
Thank you very much for this route.

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ensolo
ensolo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,
This is a question, not an opinion: how did you determine this advertised elevation gain of 1,600 metres? Could there be an error?
In my opinion, and having done it twice, the maximum is 1,100 metres...

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Spout
Spout
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

As a professional photographer, I visited the Carança Gorges to scout locations, and I must say that this hike is simply magnificent, but certainly quite difficult in terms of elevation gain. To make things easier, simply do the hike in the direction indicated in the description. This won't eliminate the elevation gain, but it will be more gradual.

Enjoy your hike!
PS: Do not attempt this route when it is raining, as it becomes very dangerous.

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cabirunner
cabirunner

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, it's a feast for the eyes!

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Nicolas R3.
Nicolas R3.

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike completed over two days in the opposite direction to the route indicated, as the elevation gain is really too steep when you're carrying a heavy backpack! (Add 3km return for the refuge). The elevation gain is thus much more gradual through the Gorges. Climb up the gorges to the bridge on the right on the right bank (corniche/footbridges) to the Carança refuge. It is best to do this in the morning as everyone is climbing and there is less waiting at the narrow passages. Spend the night at the refuge and return via the Campille national forest. Please note that the Dona refuge is very poorly signposted and unmanned.
The Carança refuge is very rustic, with no showers (river) and very basic school canteen-style meals. The area around the refuge is very beautiful for bivouacking. Overall, this is a hike that is definitely worth doing!

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trekkeuse
trekkeuse

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike, very crowded this summer but definitely worth it!
For the footbridges, you have to wait... because it's difficult to pass each other.
Very beautiful views.
A must-do :-)

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Lucky15
Lucky15

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike, not to be missed. Be sure to check the weather forecast. Don't hesitate to set off early, as in the afternoon the paths become so crowded they resemble a motorway.
I recommend turning left at the bridge to return via the cliff path, as this makes the return journey easier when you are tired.

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coulgaz
coulgaz

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The corniche is open

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masjap
masjap

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The Carança Gorge hike is best done in good weather, preferably during the off-season, as otherwise there may be traffic jams along the route!
For the 9 km circular, I recommend starting on the left side of the gorge, which is much more difficult than the right side, which runs along the side of a precipice but is gently sloping, ideal for resting at the end of the hike. However, I do not recommend bringing young children or people who are not in good physical condition, as there are real risks and the first part is genuinely difficult!
The gorges are impressive, and I am now planning to hike to the refuge and spend the night there.
I recommend the Saint Thomas baths (6 km further up, heading towards Mont-Louis) at the end of the hike, where you can relax in the warm, sulphurous waters!

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jerome.didier
jerome.didier

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely, refreshing walk when it's very hot.
Do not go if you are afraid of heights.

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Titounanou
Titounanou

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A super fun hike, which makes the effort less difficult. Well done, nature, and thank you, Viso!

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