Roc d'Agnel, Coroluna Caves, Roc de l'Aigle, Col de la Coussièro

A magnificent circular hike around Cabrespine offering beautiful 360° views, walks through fragrant heath scrubland in bloom (especially in spring), surprising caves (best visited with a head torch) and historical remains (a Roman road, a castle, etc.).

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.84 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 885 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 887 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 792 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 304 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Go to the village of Cabrespine and park in the small car park on the edge of the D112 in front of the Pierre Maguelon village hall.

(S/E) From the car park, take the path opposite towards the Gouffre Géant de Cabrespine (signposted). The path is marked in yellow.

(1) When you reach the Cabrespine Giant Chasm (on the left), leave the path that branches off to the left and continue uphill to the right. Ignore all the small paths that branch off to the left and continue until you reach a fork in the path at a small pass.

(2) At the small pass, take the path that branches off to the left towards Roc d'Agnel, clearly visible to the south-east.

(3) Continue, ignoring a path that branches off to the right, until you reach Roc d'Agnel.

(4) Before heading back down, you can visit a pretty little cave located under a rocky outcrop to the east below Roc d'Agnel. A faint path leads there quickly.

(5) Return to Roc d'Agnel.

(4) From Roc d'Agnel, descend and return to the fork you passed on the way up.

(3) Take the path that branches off to the left (marked with yellow signs and a yellow dot). The path descends southwards and, after a right-hand bend, passes in front of the entrance to the Coroluna Cave.

(6) If you have a headlamp, be sure to go inside and visit the cave, which extends about 100 metres underground.
Otherwise, continue along the path down to the Maquis Cave and stele.

(7) The Maquis Cave (stele) is more modest but steeped in history. Continue along the path (or cross the cave to come out a little lower above the path), reach the bed of a stream (dry outside the rainy season) and cross it. Continue up the path to a pass where a memorial to the Maquis has been erected.

(8) Take the path that climbs immediately to the right behind the memorial stone. Continue along the hillside with slight ascents and descents to a pass (signs).

(9) Take the path on the left that climbs up through the protected area towards Roc de l'Aigle (signposted) and continue until you reach a sign indicating: point 700 m on the right. Roc de l'Aigle is clearly visible on the right.

(10) Follow this direction, reach the ridge and proceed quickly to Roc de l'Aigle.

(11) Turn back to an altitude of 700, where you should follow the track that climbs to the right before reaching a pass. Continue to the right (north) until you reach a fork.

(12) Leave the track that branches off to the left and continue straight ahead until you reach theGR®36(red and white markings), which you should follow to the right along the old Roman road, towards the wind turbines located on the ridge to the north. Continue until you reach a narrow section of the road between two rocks.

(13) Just before this narrowing, turn right off the trail to quickly reach the forest road below, at a hairpin bend. Continue down this track. The track makes a first sharp bend, then a second.

(14) At the second bend, take the small path that branches off to the right, heading south, following a ridge line. This path is not very well marked, but there are a few cairns to help you along the way. Simply follow the ridge line. You will come to the ruins of an old castle (Cathar?) on the left side of the path. Continue along the path to the village below, which you will reach quickly.
Cross the village to reach the car park on the right (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 323 m - Parking in front of the Pierre Maguelon hall. Near the - Clamoux (rivère)
  2. 1 : km 0.74 - alt. 423 m - Gouffre Géant de Cabrespine
  3. 2 : km 1.41 - alt. 516 m - Small pass and fork in the road
  4. 3 : km 1.71 - alt. 555 m - Common fork A/R
  5. 4 : km 2.01 - alt. 574 m - Roc d'Agnel (585m)
  6. 5 : km 2.25 - alt. 503 m - Cave
  7. 6 : km 3.18 - alt. 455 m - Grotte de Coroluna
  8. 7 : km 3.42 - alt. 444 m - Grotte et stèle du Maquis
  9. 8 : km 4.29 - alt. 483 m - Pass, memorial to the Resistance fighters
  10. 9 : km 5.84 - alt. 516 m - Pass (signs) and fork in the road
  11. 10 : km 6.48 - alt. 659 m - Sign indicating the direction: point 700
  12. 11 : km 6.95 - alt. 680 m - Roc de l'aigle (685m)
  13. 12 : km 7.69 - alt. 705 m - Fork in the road
  14. 13 : km 9.65 - alt. 782 m - The path narrows between two rocks - le Pas de Monsarrat
  15. 14 : km 11.63 - alt. 739 m - Second hairpin bend. Fork in the road
  16. S/E : km 14.84 - alt. 323 m - Parking in front of the Pierre Maguelon hall

Notes

- Hike for experienced walkers (length, cumulative elevation gain). For the return and descent along the ridge after the waypoint (14), the path is poorly marked and you need to watch your step on the numerous slabs of schist.
- There is no water on the route. Be careful in the heat in summer.

Worth a visit

- Gouffre Géant de Cabrespine (entrance fee).
- Coroluna Cave is freely accessible. A very beautiful cave that can be visited without a guide (no danger) provided you have a good headlamp (concretions, draperies and fountains).
- Viewpoint from the Roc de l'Aigle.
- Ancient Roman road.
- Narrow streets of the beautiful village of Cabrespine.

 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

4.5 / 5
Based on 16 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Thierry Trémas
Thierry Trémas
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

There is little to add to the previous advice:
- the total elevation gain is close to 1,000 metres
- no water: bring plenty (especially in summer)
- beautiful, fragrant Mediterranean vegetation
- from 14, the path is well marked (although GPS can help clear up any doubts at times). A beautiful walk along the ridge, but when you see the village of Cabrespine below, you wonder when the descent will begin. When it does, it's steep (and I imagine very slippery in wet weather)
- don't wait until you're in the middle of a cave to check the batteries in your headlamps before setting off (private joke )
- between 12 and 13, you cross a pasture (with gates to open and close) for sheep and goats. On the gate is a sign recommending that at certain times you should bypass the meadow because of dogs (going via the Montredon sheepfold, I suppose). On the sign, the periods when the field should be bypassed were deliberately covered up (by the shepherd, I suppose) and as it seemed that the way was clear, we crossed. Halfway across, we heard sheep and dogs, but couldn't see them. They must have been far enough away because they didn't come towards us.
- a beautiful walk that can be more challenging than expected due to the lack of water and the final descent, which could be difficult for those with knee problems

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marizou1957
marizou1957

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very nice long hike with lovely viewpoints and caves to see and a nice section of Roman road. Especially not to be done in wet weather as the descents are very steep and slippery.
The last descent is on a ridge and is very physical.
don't forget water +++.

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Christine Caïos Baixauli
Christine Caïos Baixauli

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, but with some difficulties, especially on the descent

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uti
uti
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I didn't think I would find a hike here that could compare to those in the Pyrenees
Difficult hike, very varied landscape, well signposted, very steep descent not recommended if the slabs are wet.

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MontagneXplorer
MontagneXplorer
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

great hike to do in December. The Roc de l'Aigle is truly magnificent, but it's very windy, so make sure you're well equipped before you go.

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Jejon31
Jejon31

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Superb environment, the landscapes are magnificent.
I found the hike to Roc de l'Aigle very enjoyable.
Quite physically demanding, it climbs straight up without much time to warm up.
Rocky trail, no major difficulties but you have to stay alert on the descents, be careful not to slip.
It must be more difficult in summer, so don't forget to bring water.
I came across three groups, as the path is shared by several hikes.
After Roc de l'Aigle, the hike is easy going, with a slight slope, a wide forest path and a section of Roman road.
From point 14 onwards, it changes, with an almost non-stop descent, very rough, slippery and tough on the joints. Walking sticks and good shoes, especially good shoes, seem essential to me.
The descent is long and easy to follow, as there is only one path. I only encountered wildlife there.
But everywhere there are stones on slabs of shale, very treacherous, with difficult steps to negotiate. I found this to be the most complicated part of the walk.

It is possible to turn back at point 11 and return to Cabrespine via point 9 on the left, where a path leads back to point 2.

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Michel34
Michel34

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant route with magnificent scenery. Best undertaken in spring to enjoy the beautiful flowers and mild temperatures.

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montagnejeanmarc
montagnejeanmarc

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

superb hike, a bit challenging though... beautiful views, lovely surprises with the caves; discovery of the village... we recommend it!

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Daniel_Tango_Victor
Daniel_Tango_Victor

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful warm weather.
A beautiful, undulating walk through Mediterranean vegetation. Varied geology: limestone, then schist.
Exposure: sunny. Beautiful views.
Cabrespine chasm closed. Pretty little cave under the Roc d'Agnel: balcony with a view of the Pic du Canigou. Encountered a school group on a caving trip, children highly motivated and equipped to crawl through the Coroluna cave, all clean and tidy (that was before they entered the bowels of the Earth): better than video games! All watercourses crossed were dry. View of the Pic de Nore and wind turbines. Surprising remains of a Roman road. Nice ridge walk on the descent to Cabrespine. The "castle" is a section of wall.
815m - 15km - 7h40 including ~5h30 of walking.

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FRANCIS.D
FRANCIS.D

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Too hot at this time of year to do this hike, as there is very little shade.
Some markings are missing or faded, which means you sometimes need to use GPS.
The descent is tricky in some places on the ridge in unstable shale.
Despite this, there are some very pretty views and it's a lovely hike, best done in spring or autumn.

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Nenel2781
Nenel2781

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route with lovely caves to visit and two beautiful viewpoints.

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Jac31600
Jac31600

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very easy and interesting route to follow, with beautiful scenery, caves, flowers and wonderful scents.
Be careful in the heat as there is little shade and no water sources.
Good stamina is required and the return via the ridge is a little technical at the end of the day for beginners.

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blackmountain6211
blackmountain6211

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route that you never tire of doing again from time to time when you live nearby.

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LOUCOPAT
LOUCOPAT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a magnificent route that is fairly well signposted; the estimated time is very accurate

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Henry32
Henry32

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Very beautiful route. The descent is quite difficult, so try to stay on the ridge as much as possible. I couldn't find a 'real' path to get to the road

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