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Day 1 - Travel
You will be collected from Perpignan airport and taken to a comfortable hotel of at least 2* grade in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Our usual hotel offers beautiful surroundings and a solar heated outdoor swimming pool.
We will spend some time checking gear, then we can relax by the pool.
Day 2 - Shakedown day.
We will walk over the foothills to a thermal spa town then up to a famous cascade, which can only be done if there has not been any recent rain. An impressive walk through the forest brings us out above one of the most famous of the many medieval priories in the Pyrenees. Stupendous views. We then descend back to our hotel.
Day 3 - Pic des Tres Estelles
After an early start we pass through the forest up to more open country before reaching the top of the Pic des Tres Estelles (peak of the three stars). We keep heading south descending to the Col de Mantet. We stay the night in simple accommodation in a gite d'étape in one of the smallest and most remote villages in the area, in impressive surroundings.
Day 4- Refuge Mariailles
A beautiful walk in the foothills of the Pyrenees to a mountain hut. On the way we will pass through various vegetation zones from the chestnut woods through cork oak and beech to pine and spruce, and eventually alpine pasture. The large chalet offers relatively civilised sleeping arrangements, four to a room.
Day 5 - A high ridge day (or a rest day)
After a good night's sleep at 1800m we will set off up to the main ridge of the Pyrenees in this area. We pass another mountain hut on the way, then strike off along the ridge. We can tailor this day to how we feel, as there are several possibilities for descent. We descend into the beautiful valley of the Cadi and make our way back down to the Mariailles hut.
Day 6 - Getting to "Base Camp"
We go back up into the Vall de Cadi to start with then head up to the famous GR10 long distance path. On the way we may look for an area of high alpine pasture with an almost invisible herder's hut, and beautiful clear stream. Then following the GR10 we gently descend then reascend to reach the Cortalets hut at over 2000m. This is another large and comfortable hut with good facilities.
Day 7 - The Canigou
We make an early start and ascend straight from the back of the hut. We don't follow the herd but head for the crete de Barbet. Once we have reached the crest we descend gently to the Portilla de Valmanya with the possibility of seeing a flock of isard. A traverse on a rough path leads us to the foot of the Chéminée. This is a scramble up the last hundred metres, coming out within yards of the summit. The views can be superb, from the Mediterranean down to Spain and across to the high peaks of the Capcir to the west, and the lower gentler hills of the Corbières to the north, with the whole of the Plain of Roussillon at your feet.
We redescend the Chéminée and make our way down to the Vall de Cadi once more and so back to the Mariailles hut.
Day 8 - return to the Hotel
We descend through the forest of pine and beech back to our hotel. Time it right and we can have a relaxing swim before dinner.
Day 9 - transfer to airport.
Flights to UK are in the afternoon so you have time for another swim!
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