Refuge de Mariailles - Refuge des Cortalets

Please note: Observed on Thursday 29 October 2020. A large, recent and permanent road sign clearly indicates that the access track to the Mariailles refuge is closed from the Col de Jou car park.
Please check with the Casteil town hall for further information.
See § practical information.
Drive up to the Mariailles refuge. The track is not really suitable for non-4x4 vehicles, and the climb must be undertaken with caution so as not to risk bursting the engine oil sump...sic.
It is preferable to park at the Col de Jou car park or the Randé car park, even if the temptation to drive up to Mariailles saves a good hour's climb...

(S) The departure point is therefore from the car park above the Mariailles refuge.
Return to the path leading to the pastoral refuge (no need to go down to the main refuge) and follow the small stream on your right. Be careful, there is a track climbing parallel to your right, but do not follow it.
Follow the stream along the hillside and climb gently. After 20 minutes, cross a small Japanese garden with its stream and wooden bridge, but continue climbing.

(1) From Col Vert, there is almost no elevation gain. You will pass through five fence gates before reaching the Torrent du Cady ford, about an hour and a half's walk away.

(2) Change sides and cross to the opposite bank. Again, you must continue climbing until you reach the intersection with the Refuge Arago trail.

(3) Continue on the^{GR® trail} towards the west to reach the Coll de Segalers.

(4) Keep right on the^GR® and descend to reach Jasse d'en Vernet.

(5) Continue downhill and further on you will reach the Canal del Roc dels Isards.

(6) Cross it and descend further to cross the Correc de la Castella. Now climb very slightly to reach the Refuge de Bonne-Aigue.

(7) From here, begin the long climb, first reaching the Fontaine de la Perdrix below Pic Joffre.

(8) Continue along the^GR®, go around the lake downhill and then continue to the Refuge des Cortalets (E), today's stop.

Water: there are springs and streams with clear water at regular intervals along this route.
At Bonne Aigue, you will need to look for the spring a little further down the path that descends to Vernet les Bains.
Important: Access to the Canigou massif is regulated.

Accommodation is available at the lodge (Refuge des Mariailles) if booked in advance.
Also worth visiting is the Abbey of Saint Martin de Canigou.