The Estanyol Forest House and the Pinatell Shelter as seen from Valmanya

From the Vinça reservoir, the quickest route is to take the D13 to Valmanya. Just on leaving Valmanya, at the junction offering two directions – Los Masos de Valmanya and Coll de Palomeres – park on the left, near a steel sculpture (2025).

(S/E) Continue left as you leave the car park via the D13 towards Coll Palomère. There are wooden signs on the right-hand side of the road pointing towards l’Estanyol and Pinosa. Cross La Lentillà and the Ribera del Castell via the road bridges and look out on the right for the start of a track. There is another wooden sign.
Don’t miss the small ‘chapel’ carved into the rock on the right, with commemorative plaques recounting the tragic events of the 1939–1945 war.

Sparseyellow markings. The IGN map is inaccurate and does not reflect the actual terrain.

(1) Just after the second bridge, head up to the right into the forest along this track, which quickly turns into a path. Much higher up, you’ll join a wide track at elevation 1067.

(2) Cross it via a slight left-right bend and continue the steep climb straight ahead, still through the forest.

(3) Cross a small track (alt. 1200 m). Then, further up, you’ll reach a cross-track at elevation 1330

(4) Turn leftonto a short out-and-back section in the bend of the wide track – a lovely spot for a break. 
Cross this cross-track and, opposite, you’ll find the continuation of the path, which continues to climb steeply through the forest. You’ll emerge once again onto a wide, motorable track.

(5) Follow it to the right for about 70 m until you reach a fork with two cairns (to the right and left of the track).

(6) Leave the track and head up to the left, above it, along a path, and you’ll come out onto the continuation of the same track.

(7) Two options:
- head straight up the slope opposite to the Maison Forestière de l’Estanyol.
- head left (see attached map) along the track to the end. At the signpost, turn right onto the Chemin du Balcon du Canigou (GR®10 and GRP® Tour du Canigou) until you reach the Estanyol Forest House.

Red and white markings (GR®10 and GRP® Tour du Canigou)

(8) Dry spring (March 2025). A lovely, cool spot for a break (table and benches). The accommodation is usually clean.
Continue along the GR®10 (Balcon du Canigou).

(9) The section at Còrrec de la Font Negra is sometimes tricky and, above all, dangerous at the very start of the season. You must know how to turn back, especially on a very narrow and icy path.
Continue then, in open country, heading north-west to reach the Abri du Pinatell, which is in the sun from the end of February onwards. Signpost.
A lovely spot for a lunch break.

Scatteredyellow markings. The IGN base map is inaccurate and does not reflect the actual terrain. Magnificent sections through scree slopes with stunning views. 

(10) Dry spring (March 2025). Lovely sunny spot (table and benches). The wooden shelter is infested with fleas (a warning is posted on the door – a real shame). 
Leave the GR®10 and head down to the right into the forest, along a very pretty path – not particularly comfortable, but steady and stony in the true sense of the word. Much further down, the descent continues through the forest but along a path that is sometimes slippery with beech leaves.

(11) Cross a wooden footbridge over La Llentillà, rejoin a grassy track and soon reach the car park in the hamlet of Los Masos de Valmanya.

White and red markings (GR®36)

(12) Head down the D13d on the opposite side.

(13) Further on, take the GR®36 to cut across the two bends in the road. Continue the descent along the road, passing two lovely renovated farmhouses on the left-hand side. Enjoy the view. Much further on, you’ll reach another bend in the D13d, with a low stone wall opposite. Look out for a passageway marked with the GR®36 signposting.

(14) Go through this gap in the low stone wall and descend steeply to the Church of Saint-Vincent in the hamlet of Valmanya. Go down a wide flight of steps and join the main street (Carrer de la Terrera).

Sparseyellow markings

(15) Leave the GR®36, turn right onto the street and walk past the stopover lodge of the Bear. Join the D3d and head for the nearby car park (S/E).

There is no water, or rather no longer any water, at the indicated springs. 

You’ll need the usual kit for a day’s hiking in the mountains, including water, windproof clothing, good sturdy walking boots, etc. It can get very cold during the climb through the forest up to the forest warden’s house.

As the yellow signposts are not maintained, the GPX track, route description and base map may prove useful in a few places.

There is a shelter and a drinking water point at (15) in the developed area below on the left, next to the town hall.

Shelter at (8) and under the canopy at (10).

History and heritage of Valmanya