Pic du Canigou

If there is one peak to climb in Catalonia, it is Canigou (the Catalan Olympus). Rising to 2,784.66 metres, it offers exceptional views from the summit, where there is an orientation table.

Details

288371
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 27.69 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 12 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,988 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,984 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,765 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 845 m

Photos

Description of the walk

This hike, with an elevation gain of almost 2,000 metres, follows the yellow markings.

To get to the starting point, Col de Millères, take the N116 to Prades. In the sub-prefecture, head towards Taurinya, pass the village and park at Col de Millères.

(S/E) At the pass, follow the small road up to a signpost.

(1) Take the Balatg forest track, which you will cross a good ten times. Pay attention each time you cross the track, as the yellow markings that cross the track each time are sometimes difficult to find.

(2) You will stop crossing the track at Escala de l'Ours. From this point onwards, you simply follow the forest track.

(3) Pass through a tunnel and less than a kilometre later, you will reach the magnificent Refuge de Balatg, where you can enjoy a well-deserved lunch break.

(4) Continue along the forest track, pass Col des Voltes and, less than a kilometre later, you will arrive at a flat area where there is a small refuge (La Jasse des Cortalets).

(5) Pass this refuge and follow the track to Ras des Cortales.

(6) Continue to the right, still on the track, to reach the Refuge des Cortalets.

(7) Take a short break here, as the final stretch will be tough going. Follow the red and white markings ofthe GR®10 trailto the Fontaine de la Perdrix intersection.

(8) Follow the yellow markings opposite, climbing steadily to the summit with its orientation table and iconic cross.

(9) From Pic du Canigou, descend via the same route back to the car park (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 845 m - Car park at Col de Millères
  2. 1 : km 0.1 - alt. 849 m - Intersection with route sign
  3. 2 : km 2.48 - alt. 1,409 m - Escala de l'Ours
  4. 3 : km 3.44 - alt. 1,530 m - Tunnel
  5. 4 : km 4.77 - alt. 1,611 m - Balatg refuge
  6. 5 : km 8.22 - alt. 1,976 m - Jasse Cortalets
  7. 6 : km 9.12 - alt. 2,050 m - Col des Cortalets (Ras dels Cortalets)
  8. 7 : km 10.08 - alt. 2,150 m - Refuge des Cortalets
  9. 8 : km 11.2 - alt. 2,264 m - Fontaine de la Perdrix
  10. 9 : km 13.79 - alt. 2,707 m - Pic du Canigou
  11. S/E : km 27.69 - alt. 845 m - Car park at Col de Millères

Notes

On this route, you will find three refuges, one of which is manned (Cortalets).

Worth a visit

The destination of this hike, Canigou, offers a magnificent, breathtaking 360° view.
Believe me, it's well worth the effort...

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.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 20367237

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike, exceptional view from the summit, quite busy in summer.

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ed102
ed102

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike from Taurinya. Day trip. Very physically demanding. Significant elevation gain, but exceptional views from the summit. From this starting point, I would recommend a first stage to the chalet, sunrise at the peak, and a leisurely return.

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Nono756
Nono756

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Nothing to report

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P. Lorm
P. Lorm

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent hike. Best done early in the morning
superb hike!
We did this hike over 3 days (seniors not looking for performance).
Day 1: climb to the Cortalets refuge from the Col de Millères via the Col des Voltes.
Day 2: Le Canigou via the Crête du Barbet and the chimney, then descent to the Cortalets refuge via the second route.
The chimney is impressive but can be negotiated carefully – good handholds – not for those with a fear of heights.
Day 3: Descent to Fillols, alternating between the old road and steeper paths.

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Michel Berdou
Michel Berdou

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb hike!
We did this hike over two days – Day 1 climbing to the refuge and Day 2 Canigou and descent.
Day 1 – The ascent route is pleasant and, although long (in terms of time), is easy to complete. However, I would suggest taking the old Cortalets path (signposted) after the Balaigt refuge to add some variety. It then rejoins the trail before reaching the refuge. Time: 4 hours 15 minutes – 11.5 km and 1,350 m elevation gain
Day 2 - We passed by the Barbet ridge and then the chimney to reach Canigou. The chimney is impressive but can be negotiated with care - good handholds - not for those with a fear of heights. Descent via the normal route. We were alone in the chimney. We met people at the summit and then crossed paths with many hikers on the descent. Time: 4 hours 30 minutes - 9 km and 760 m elevation gain
From Les Cortalets, we took most of the Cortalets - Fillols route from the Col des Voltes. Descent on a forest path - steep slope before joining the Balaigt track to return to the pass. Time: 3 hours - 9 km and 1,350 m elevation loss

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thierrymalaval
thierrymalaval
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

We climbed Canigou from Vernet les Bains (campsite opposite Intermarché) via the Bonne-Aigue refuge and Pic Joffre in one day.
Round trip: 7 hours 50 minutes and approximately 2,200 metres of elevation gain and the same in descent (the descent was harder on the knees) but it is entirely possible.
the last section of the climb winds its way up a rocky slope, which becomes more technical on the descent.
The summit is very windy and requires warm clothing (down jackets, etc.), and it is very crowded with few places to sit.
A superb hike and a great challenge with our 2,200 metres of elevation gain.

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Jean-Bernard
Jean-Bernard

I did it over two days (as you read), but on the second day, I climbed Canigou (+1,000 metres) and then descended immediately (-2,000 metres), so I slept really well!

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RickyH5
RickyH5

No problem, it will be for early August, so I have time to plan the route, and thank you for your feedback.
I bought the blue series map (as usual) and with OpenRunner to plan my route, I am set on the route to take.

The route you describe is exactly the one I planned to do after climbing Canigou. I was inspired by your story, except that I'll be doing it in the opposite direction, as you mentioned in your last post. So I'll be climbing Pic Joffre on the way up.

As for the refuge, I'll stop there for a quick drink on the way back, but I'll do the whole thing in one go.

Ibp index for my route: 209 Hkg, 23 kilometres and 2200 D+...

Needless to say, I should sleep well the following night, even though I'm fairly well trained.

Thanks again.

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Jean-Bernard
Jean-Bernard

Apologies for the delayed response.
I've never been along the Balaig trail (I was mistaken in my previous reply, but I think vehicles are prohibited in summer, to be confirmed). If I understand correctly, you're stopping at the Cortalets refuge and then heading to Canigou? If you're not prone to vertigo, you can descend via Brèche Durier, Porteille de Valmanya and then Crête de Barbet. Otherwise, you can go the other way and return via Pic Joffre. You're in for a treat; have a great trip!
Jean Bernard

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Jean-Bernard
Jean-Bernard

If you follow the route, you will only be on this path for a short while; the rest of the journey is on trails. I will take a closer look at the map and let you know shortly.

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RickyH5
RickyH5
• Edited:

I plan to do this beautiful route in early August, praying for good weather.
However, I'm not too keen on the Balaig trail, especially if large 4x4s are using it... So I'll head towards Cortal de l'Artillur and reach the refuge via the Coll de les Voltes.
Then I will descend via the Barbet ridge to return to the Cortalets refuge and turn off towards Ras dels Portalets and Roc del Balitres.

If I could get some feedback on the last chapter, I'd really appreciate it.

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Jean-Bernard
Jean-Bernard

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 04, 2018
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

I climbed the Pic from the Cortalets refuge but via the Barbet and Bruche Durier ridges, descending towards Pic Joffre and then Cortalets. It's a beautiful hike with stunning scenery and breathtaking views of the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees. I highly recommend it. I set off the day before from Los Masos, which I think is a more interesting route because you're often on a balcony to climb up to the Cortalets refuge, but the descent from the Pic is a 2,000-metre drop, so watch your knees!

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henri57
henri57 ★

Hello,

Thank you for your comment.

You rated:

Reliability of the description: Average

Did you have any problems with the description? If so, how can we improve it?

Kind regards

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Christian C.
Christian C.

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Departure: Col des Millères (850m) towards the Cortalets refuge (2150m) via the Balaig trail (15km), which is used by professional transporters' 4x4s, greatly limiting the number of vehicles. During this climb, there are several viewpoints over the valley and two unmanned refuges. After lunch, overnight stay and breakfast at Cortalets, we climbed Pic de Canigou via the north face to avoid the Cheminée. This was a poor choice as the track climbs up the mountainside, crossing numerous "pierrets" (small rocks) from 2,400m upwards, and it is not very pleasant to walk on these tangled boulders. We turned back at 2,600 metres because one of the trio was feeling dizzy. Conclusion: we will do it again via the Mariailles refuge.

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Lolo48§§
Lolo48§§

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello,
Hike completed yesterday, 23 August 2018. Unfortunately, the weather conditions prevented us from completing the hike (we were about 3 km short of reaching the Olympe des Catalans).
The description and map were very good.
There are indeed many variations on the suggested route, and we chose different routes for the outward and return journeys.
It was a challenging hike, but the scenery was magnificent.
Thank you,

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