Mariailles - Cortalets

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The fourth stage highlights the ascent of Canigou.
Please take note of the following warnings about this route:
''Info 2023: The route linking Pic du Canigó and passing through the chimney is no longer marked. The Conflent Canigó Tourist Office cannot provide information on its accessibility. It is strongly recommended that you take the Barbet ridges (PR®8) or the GR®10 if you are coming from the Mariailles refuge to reach the Cortalets refuge.
In addition, please note: as climbing the peak is a high-altitude mountain activity, it is important to be prepared, informed and well equipped."
See also this link

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Circuit Thués-Entre-Valls - Fillols

Details

n°14339
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.96 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,180 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 716 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,759 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,689 m
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Description of the walk

From the Mariailles refuge (S), head south for about 1 km before turning 90° east. The trail is theGR® shared by nos. 10-36 and 83. No. 83 is the Grande Randonnée Transfrontalière, which is the route for the entire hike.

(1) Continue eastwards via the Col Vert.

(2) Continue to elevation 1964.

(3) The trail turns north-west to reach the junction with the trail leading to the Arago refuge.

(4) Turn right and head for the refuge.

(5) Continue north-east and then, at the start of the switchbacks, head almost north. Pass the Brèche Durier and climb the secured chimney to reach the summit of Canigou.

(6) Descend northwards to reach Pic Joffre.

(7) Make a 90° turn to the right, walk alongside the Fontaine de la Perdrix and then a small lake before reaching the Cortalets plateau and the refuge of the same name (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 1,689 m - refuge de Mariailles
  2. 1 : km 0.91 - alt. 1,692 m - GR83
  3. 2 : km 2.26 - alt. 1,860 m - Col Vert ou Collet Verd (1850m)
  4. 3 : km 3.91 - alt. 1,969 m - Climb north/west. Crossing the - Cady (rivière)
  5. 4 : km 4.55 - alt. 2,017 m - Arago refuge crossroads
  6. 5 : km 5.64 - alt. 2,123 m - Refuge Arago
  7. 6 : km 9.23 - alt. 2,732 m - Pic du Canigou
  8. 7 : km 11.35 - alt. 2,348 m - Pic Joffre
  9. E : km 12.96 - alt. 2,150 m - Refuge des Cortalets

Notes

The Arago refuge is a good place to fill up with water and take a break before tackling the summit of Canigou.

This route passes through multiple protected areas, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

When the weather is clear, the view from the summit is remarkable and allows you to identify all the accessible peaks in this region, notably the Carlit above Les Bouillouses.

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

4.8 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Clo
Clo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Double luck: climb in the sunshine (but descent to the Cortalets refuge in the mist) and very few people at the summit of Canigou. No doubt due to the very cool temperature!
Route (as always with lemarcheur65) well described.

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GuyômX
GuyômX

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful stage of the three-day hike from Canigou to Vernet-les-Bains. Remember to book your accommodation in advance during high season! The water source before the climb up the scree slope means you don't have to carry too much weight at the start. The final "chimney" to reach the summit is quite vertiginous and requires the use of your hands!

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Randomarc
Randomarc

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The route to take to reach Canigou. The Visorando trail is very useful, because before tackling the chimney, several trails have been made by the many hikers who climb Canigou. The Visorando trail is less direct, but it passes in front of the spring, which is a welcome place to refuel before climbing the chimney.

Modification to be made to the route description: the chimney is clearly marked. For those coming here for the first time, follow the grey paint marks. The exit to the summit is on the left side of the chimney.

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Palavas34
Palavas34

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The yellow markings after the fork between Barbet and Pic du Canigou are not very clear.

The chimney is relatively easy to climb, but you will need to use your hands. Attach your walking sticks to your rucksack before starting the climb.

Beautiful 360° view of the peak. Quite cool and windy on the day of the hike.

The start of the descent towards CORTALETS is quite technical and the markings are not always very clear. This is due to hikers taking shortcuts and altering the 'normal' trail...

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janclaud
janclaud

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike before climbing Pic du Canigou. The view from the top is magnificent and not to be missed.

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dardeno
dardeno

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

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Gaël BN
Gaël BN

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2011
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A superb hike, but not for the faint-hearted. Although it is quite a climb (with an elevation gain of 1,000 metres), this is mainly due to its chimney. It's a beautiful climb, but one to be tackled with caution (leave your walking stick at the foot of the chimney, no one will steal it) as it is very steep. But if you choose the right day, you'll be blown away by the beauty of the landscape! I recommend it to all lovers of beautiful short hikes!

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Other walks in the area

Walking Loop from the Refuge des Conques to the Refuge de Mariailles

Visorando member
Boucle du Refuge des Conques au Refuge de Mariailles
↔31.19 km ↗+1,551 m ↘-1,555 m ◔2 days ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Casteil (Pyrénées-Orientales)
This two-day hike, with an overnight stay at the Refuge de Mariailles, allows for shorter variations each day depending on the weather or individual needs. This hike is not fully signposted. However, the suggested variations allow you to stay on the marked trails. Two days in the mountains, from one refuge to another. It is possible to start from the Mariailles Refuge, but add 2 hours from the Coll de Jou to climb up to it.

Walking From the Mariailles refuge to the Conques refuge

Visorando member
Du Refuge de Mariailles au Refuge des Conques
↔16.10 km ↗+759 m ↘-849 m ◔6h 45 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Casteil (Pyrénées-Orientales)
Second stage of the: Loop from the Refuge des Conques to the Refuge de Mariailles Mountain hike with a permanent view of Pla Guillem at Porteilla des Avets Classified as difficult: open terrain, paths sometimes with old or no markings, steep slopes in places. See practical information. Allow 6 hours of sustained walking.

Walking Mariailles refuge - Cortalets refuge

Visorando member
Refuge de Mariailles - Refuge des Cortalets
↔12.95 km ↗+1,134 m ↘-673 m ◔6h 55 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Casteil (Pyrénées-Orientales)
Second stage of Three Days on Canigou. From Mariailles to Cortalets via the Canigou chimney. This stage is quite physically demanding due to the elevation gain and distance. Pass through the chimney on sight as the yellow markings have been erased - path closed (not recommended). See practical information below.

Walking Refuge de Mariailles - Refuge des Cortalets

Visorando member
Refuge de Mariailles - Refuge des Cortalets
↔16.32 km ↗+1,066 m ↘-637 m ◔7h 45 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Casteil (Pyrénées-Orientales)
This stage is the first part of a two-day circular around the Canigou Massif. This first stage takes you around the peak to the west, from the Mariailles Refuge to the Cortalets Refuge, via the Bonne Aigue Refuge. It's a good warm-up before the next day's climb.

Walking The circular of the Canigou

Visorando member
La boucle du Canigou
↔30.04 km ↗+1,801 m ↘-1,805 m ◔2 days ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Casteil (Pyrénées-Orientales)
Ascent to the Canigou massif from the west. Depart from the Mariailles refuge, following theGR®10to the Cortalets refuge. The next day, climb the peak then descend via the chimney and return via Pla de Cady to the Arago Refuge, before joining theGR®10and returning to Mariailles.

Walking Les Mates Roges and the Mariailles Refuge from Coll de Jou

Visorando member
Les Mates Roges et le Refuge de Mariailles depuis le Coll de Jou
↔12.94 km ↗+694 m ↘-691 m ◔5h 40 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Sahorre (Pyrénées-Orientales)
From Coll de Jou, a discovery hike with viewpoints offering beautiful panoramas. Passing through Collada de Botifarra, Mates Roges, Mariailles Refuge, Coll del Cavall Mort, Coll de Creu. This is a much more pleasant way to reach the Mariailles Refuge, where you can stay overnight if you wish. This route is marked and presents no difficulty except for the steep slopes between (2), (3) and (4).

Walking Around Saint-Martin du Canigou Abbey

Visorando member
↔6.77 km ↗+598 m ↘-597 m ◔3h 40 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Casteil (Pyrénées-Orientales)
An exceptional hike around Saint-Martin du Canigou Abbey, a true jewel of the cultural and religious heritage of the Pyrénées-Orientales. Don't be fooled by the short distance of the route: there is a significant elevation gain and the slopes are sometimes very steep. Caution is advised for those prone to vertigo, as one section requires the use of handrails installed for the safety of hikers.

Walking Saint-Martin du Canigou Abbey loop

Visorando member
Boucle de l'Abbaye Saint-Martin du Canigou
↔3.79 km ↗+277 m ↘-272 m ◔1h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Casteil (Pyrénées-Orientales)
A pleasant circular walk starting from Casteil. The climb is steep on a rough path to the abbey and a viewpoint. The path is then flat until you reach the Saint-Benoît Chapel, which offers a magnificent view of Vernet-les-Bains. The return journey is on a paved road that descends past the Saint-Martin le Vieux Chapel.

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