The Coll del Torn refuge

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This route will take you to the Coll del Torn refuge, where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Capcin peaks and some of the Ariège peaks.

Details

n°3175615
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.72 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 414 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 416 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,872 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,471 m
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Photos

Coll del Torn refuge

Description of the walk

Park in the car park located just next to the bridge over the Aude on the Route de la Quillane (D52) in Matemale.

(S/E) From the car park, head south-west on Route de la Quillane (D52). Cross the D118 very carefully, taking the road opposite. There is a steep climb just after the power station to reach the Lac de Matemale dam.

(1) Turn right onto the path running parallel to the road, then climb up to the left to rejoin the D118, which you will follow to the right for a few metres. Take extreme care on this dangerous section. You will come to an intersection where a track turns 180° to the left (DFCI CA12 track).

(2) Follow this track for about 200 metres. At the intersection, continue straight ahead, leaving the track that turns 180° to the right. Further on, the same situation occurs at another intersection of tracks.

(3) This time, take the track that branches off at 180° to the right and follow it to the end.

(4) Take the path that turns 180° to the left. This will take you directly to the Coll del Torn refuge. Please note: this section is a steep climb.

(5) Continue on the left-hand track towards Col del Creu. Stay on this track, enjoying the views of Matemale, the lake and some of the Capcines peaks, until you reach a junction where there is a path leading down to the left (marked and signposted).

(6) Leave the track and take the yellow-marked path that descends to the left and leads to Col de Creu.

(7) Carefully cross the D4 to take the path opposite (track CA13) which leaves to the left, parallel to the road. This path leads to a track which you take to the right. Stay on this track until you reach the red and yellow markings ofthe GRP® du Capcir.

(8) Leave the track and take theGRP® trail, turning 180° to the left. Stay on theGRP® trail and continue to the Tour de Creu intersection.

(9) Leave the tower on your right and continue on theGRP® which will take you to the village of Matemale. Reach the Molina bridge and cross it.

(10) Turn left towards Matemale. Leave theGRP® when it turns right at Rue du Pont de l'Aude. Continue along the main road to finish your hike and reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,492 m - Car park on Route de la Quillane
  2. 1 : km 1.3 - alt. 1,542 m - Matemale Lake Dam
  3. 2 : km 1.47 - alt. 1,548 m - Abandoned Road D118/DFCI CA12 track
  4. 3 : km 2.37 - alt. 1,618 m - Intersection of trails
  5. 4 : km 2.88 - alt. 1,674 m - End of the trail
  6. 5 : km 4.15 - alt. 1,866 m - Coll del Torn refuge
  7. 6 : km 7.66 - alt. 1,744 m - Marked trail on the left
  8. 7 : km 7.98 - alt. 1,709 m - Coll de Creu
  9. 8 : km 8.85 - alt. 1,620 m - °°GRP®°°Capcir
  10. 9 : km 10.22 - alt. 1,487 m - Tour de Creu intersection
  11. 10 : km 11.69 - alt. 1,473 m - Road on the left
  12. S/E : km 12.72 - alt. 1,492 m - Car park on Route de la Quillane

Notes

Worth a visit

Lake Matemale, where you can take a detour to walk along the lake dam at (1).

Discover the Tour de Creu at (9)

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 12 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Philippe_34
Philippe_34

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike with a dream welcome at the Coll del Torn refuge!!!

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User 27070151

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you very much.

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gyp
gyp

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A fairly steep climb at the start with a few views of the mountains in places, but mainly a forest trail, which was my preference given the heatwave. An interesting hike overall, taking 3 hours and 20 minutes, or around 4 hours if you take your time.

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Christian DUVIC
Christian DUVIC

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike when done in the suggested direction, which admittedly includes a steep 1,000-metre climb before reaching the refuge, but offers a gentle descent with better views of the valley and mountains on wide, easy trails.
The estimated time is too long and could be reduced to 3 hours 45 minutes, as I completed it in 3 hours.

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VALMON G
VALMON G

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike mainly through woodland with some lovely views of the lake and villages. We did this hike in the direction indicated. The steep slope before the refuge is indeed steep, but nothing insurmountable.

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jamango
jamango

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Easy hike as long as you start backwards, because the steep climb at the start is not at all pleasant in the direction indicated... lovely climb through the woods, with a single view of Lake Matemale before arriving at the refuge... a walk to be done from the cute little village of Matemale.

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segoleneemmery@yahoo.fr
segoleneemmery@yahoo.fr

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We follow cross-country ski trails almost the entire way, except for the end, which is a beautiful stretch through the woods. It's a nice route, but ultimately there aren't many views of the valley, as we're often in the undergrowth. It's true that the second half of the climb is quite steep, but if you take your time, it's manageable.
Completed in 3 hours and 15 minutes.

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claude cathala
claude cathala

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with lovely views of the Capcir, Cerdagne and Haut Conflent peaks, to be done in half a day. The only downside is that there are a few too many tracks to take, but it is still very enjoyable.

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Nihed
Nihed

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did the hike in reverse order, as recommended by other hikers, and it was a very good idea.

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Annt
Annt

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The steep climb to reach the refuge is really "steep" for the start of the route. I suggest doing it in reverse because the elevation gain is easier as it is spread out over a longer distance and therefore less difficult.

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Annt
Annt

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Given that the steep climb is at the beginning of the hike and it is really very steep, I suggest doing the hike in reverse.

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ddier raynal
ddier raynal

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely warm-up hike when you arrive in the area for a few days. Personally, we set off from Les Angles, which adds an extra 2x3km to the hike, but it's a pleasant walk along Lake Matemale.

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