Portella d'Orlu

de fr

A very pretty, fairly gradual hike with a superb view at La Porteille.

Details

n°2556847
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.21 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,172 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,139 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 7,448 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 5,328 ft
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Description of the walk

Departure from Espousouille. Drive to the car park before Barraca de la Jaceta, which is the starting point of my route.

(S/E) Follow the red and yellow marked trail along the Galbe (el Galba).

::1;; Pass the two huts and reach a three-way junction.

(2) Turn right and join a footbridge.

(3) Continue on theGRP® Tour du Capcir.

(4) Leave the main marked path and take a secondary path on the right. There are no markings, but the path is very well marked with cairns. Join a path at the Bassetes wetland.

(5) Turn left to finish the climb. There are two or three steep climbs at the end, but nothing technical or too difficult, apart from the last steep climb to Portella.

(6) Porteilla d'Orlu. Return via the same route to the wetland.

(5) Head left across the wetland and find a good path that descends, leaving the footbridge on your right.

(2) Continue along the same route as on the way up via theGRP® to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 5,328 ft - Parking required. Barrier
  2. 1 : mi 1.3 - alt. 5,768 ft - Refuge de la Jaceta
  3. 2 : mi 1.77 - alt. 5,896 ft - Crossroads of the circular loop
  4. 3 : mi 1.87 - alt. 5,906 ft - Footbridge over the - Galbe ou El Galba (rivière)
  5. 4 : mi 2.2 - alt. 6,237 ft - Fork in the road
  6. 5 : mi 2.63 - alt. 6,306 ft - Junction of two possible paths
  7. 6 : mi 3.59 - alt. 7,448 ft - Porteilla d'Orlu
  8. S/E : mi 7.21 - alt. 5,335 ft - Parking required. Barrier

Notes

There is water all along the river, no springs to my knowledge.
Standard hiking equipment, no technical difficulties.
Fountain on the trail to the left from the car park.

Similar hike

Worth a visit

The beautiful Étang du Diable
The inscribed stones (la Peira Escrita) marked on the IGN map.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
User 7423677

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Please note that before starting the hike, you will need to take a track that is in fairly poor condition.

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Reg58
Reg58

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb, peaceful hike with beautiful views of the Orlu Valley.

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anacrouse
anacrouse

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I found this route to Portella d'Orlu really beautiful. The climb to the pass offers truly superb views between the lakes. But it's steep! However, the terrain is not difficult. We made a round trip via the same route without taking the suggested alternative route. The time given corresponds to the time it took us.

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titi670
titi670

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike. Lots of rivers, etc.
Very pretty view from up high.
To park as close as possible to the starting point, take the forest road from the cemetery, as the other road is private.

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steve11590
steve11590

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Nice course, regular water supply.

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Jacques2707
Jacques2707
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The parking spot indicated is not normal. After the village of Espousouille, the road is private, running through state-owned or private forests, and fortunately quickly becomes rutted and impassable in several places. It is essential to park in one of the two car parks in Espousouille, preferably the first one. This offers several options for doing a circular route rather than a return trip by car to Portella.
Best regards
JB

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