Mariailles - Cortalets

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The fourth stage features the ascent of Canigou as its highlight.
Please take note of the following warnings regarding this route:
''Info 2023: The route linking the Pic du Canigó and passing via the chimney is no longer signposted. The Conflent Canigó Tourist Office is unable to provide information on its accessibility. It is strongly advised to follow the Barbet ridges (PR®®8) or the GR®10 if you are coming from the Mariailles refuge to reach the Cortalets refuge.
Furthermore, please note: as the ascent of the peak constitutes high-mountain hiking, it is important to be prepared, well-informed and properly equipped.”
See also this link

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

Details

n°14339
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.05 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 3,871 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,349 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 9,052 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 5,541 ft
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Description of the walk

From the Mariailles refuge (S), head due south for about 1 km before making a 90° turn due east. The path is theGR®® shared by routes 10-36 and 83. Route 83 is the Grande Randonnée Transfrontalière, along which the entire hike will take place.

(1) Continue eastwards via the Col Vert.

(2) Continue to the 1,964-metre mark.

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

(4) Turn right and head for the refuge.

(5) Continue north-east, then, as the switchbacks begin, head almost due north. Pass through the Brèche Durier and, via the secured chimney, reach the summit of the Canigou.

(6) Descend northwards to reach Pic Joffre.

(7) Turn 90° 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 : mi 0 - alt. 5,541 ft - refuge de Mariailles
  2. 1 : mi 0.56 - alt. 5,551 ft - GR83
  3. 2 : mi 1.4 - alt. 6,102 ft - Col Vert ou Collet Verd (1850m)
  4. 3 : mi 2.43 - alt. 6,460 ft - Ascend north-west. Cross the - Cady (rivière)
  5. 4 : mi 2.83 - alt. 6,617 ft - Arago refuge junction
  6. 5 : mi 3.5 - alt. 6,965 ft - Refuge Arago
  7. 6 : mi 5.74 - alt. 8,963 ft - Pic du Canigou
  8. 7 : mi 7.05 - alt. 7,703 ft - Pic Joffre
  9. E : mi 8.05 - alt. 7,054 ft - 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 From the Refuge de Mariailles to the Refuge des Cortalets

Visorando Member
Du Refuge de Mariailles au Refuge des Cortalets
↔9.65 mi ↗+3,451 ft ↘-1,939 ft ◔7h 25 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Casteil (Pyrénées-Orientales)
Sixth stage of the 8-day clockwise Tour du Canigou.A fairly long, undulating stage.The path is mostly on a ridge.The day ends with a difficult climb from the Bonne Aigue refuge. ⚠️ Renovation work at the Cortalets Refuge in 2026, 2027 and 2028. The Cortalets Refuge is closed for renovation work.

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

Visorando Member
Boucle du Refuge des Conques au Refuge de Mariailles
↔19.38 mi ↗+5,089 ft ↘-5,102 ft ◔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
↔10.00 mi ↗+2,490 ft ↘-2,785 ft ◔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
↔8.05 mi ↗+3,720 ft ↘-2,208 ft ◔6h 55 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Casteil (Pyrénées-Orientales)
Second stage of the Three Days on Canigou.From Mariailles to Les Cortalets via the Canigou Chimney.A fairly demanding stage due to the elevation gain and distance.⚠️ Passing through the Cheminée à Vue as the yellow markings have been erased – path closed (not recommended)See practical information below.⚠️ Works at the Cortalets refuge 2026, 2027, 2028. Renovation of the Cortalets refuge; Cortalets refuge closed for works

Walking Refuge de Mariailles - Refuge des Cortalets

Visorando Member
Refuge de Mariailles - Refuge des Cortalets
↔10.14 mi ↗+3,497 ft ↘-2,090 ft ◔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
↔18.64 mi ↗+5,922 ft ↘-5,922 ft ◔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
↔8.04 mi ↗+2,277 ft ↘-2,267 ft ◔5h 40 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Sahorre (Pyrénées-Orientales)
From Coll de Jou, a scenic hike with vantage points offering beautiful panoramic views.Passing through Collada de Botifarra, Mates Roges, Refuge de Mariailles, Coll del Cavall Mort, Coll de Creu.This is a much more pleasant way to reach the Refuge de Mariailles, where you may wish to stay overnight.This route is signposted and presents no difficulty apart from the steep gradient between (2), (3) and (4).

Walking Ascent to Mariailles from the Coll de Jou

Visorando Member
Montée à Mariailles depuis le Coll de Jou
↔2.49 mi ↗+1,864 ft ↘-39 ft ◔2h 45 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Sahorre (Pyrénées-Orientales)
First half-day stage to climb up to the Mariailles Refuge. Parking is mandatory at Coll de Jou. A lovely climb via theGR®10andGR®36with stunning views of the sheer drops and cliffs of the Gorge de Cady. The comfortable refuge is situated in a large open space with beautiful views.

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