The mountain that is the embodiment of the eastern Pyrenees and the symbol of Catalonia is the Canigou massif. This peak dominates the view of the Roussillon plains and the Mediterranean coast. The mountain - also known as Fujiyama Catalan - is isolated from the rest of the Pyrenees, making it easy to spot and taking up a huge part of the landscape.
The protected areas through which you will walk on this part of the GR10 route are particularly exciting for us nature lovers because of the variety of plant and animal life here.
From Vernet-les-Bains, you can choose to go around the Canigou massif or up above it! Then you reach the Roman spa town of Arles sur Tech, from where the GR10 approaches the French-Spanish border. After passing the Roc de France and the famous Col du Perthus pass, you descend into the lush Mediterranean countryside. The last small mountains of the Massif des Albères take you all the way to the Mediterranean Sea and it's an amazing feeling when you start to see the blue waters on the horizon. The stand at Banyuls is one of the loveliest spots along the Vermeille coast and now it's not long before you're sitting right there with your feet in the water.
About the route
The walks follow good footpaths and the terrain is varied and often rocky. The route is marked in most places, but there may be challenges in some places where you will have to follow the material we give you. To go on this trip we recommend that you are in good shape and have experience of hiking in the mountains.
Here you can see the stunning scenery and some of the views that come with walking this section of the GR10.
See more pictures »You arrive at your first accommodation in Vernet les Bains. Depending on when you arrive, you can visit the thermal baths, go for a hike or just relax. In the material you will receive on arrival, there will be route descriptions for two different hiking options already today.
Please note, if you wish to have an extra night before the trip and thus be sure to have time for the two extra hikes, this can be selected on the booking form.
You start the day with a 15-minute transfer to the Col de Jou mountain pass, from where you begin your hike. From here, the GR10 continues to the 'refuge de Mariailles', a beautiful viewpoint over the surrounding gorges in the heart of the Cadi Basin wild forest. From here you go around the famous Canigou mountain via the Col de Ségalès pass (2040moh) and you finally reach the Cortalets refuge. Today's route is a fantastic ride in the Mediterranean mountains. If the weather is good, you can deviate from the GR10 for a while and climb Canigou. The climb itself is not exactly challenging and the walk is rather famous for how beautiful the path is. From the summit you can enjoy the beautiful panoramic view, from where you can see the sea and the Roussillon plains.
Note: Tonight you will stay in a mountain hut, to which luggage cannot be brought. Therefore, you will have to pack bed/sleeping bag, toiletries, change of clothes etc. and carry it with you on the hike today. You will only be contacted about your luggage after the hike tomorrow.
Walking time: approx. 6½ hours or approx. 5½ hours
Distance: 16km or 12km
+1155 / -685 or +1150 / -680
You leave the centuries-old refuge at Les Cortalets and walk along the ridge for most of the day. The magnificent panoramic view follows you most of the day and you can still see all the way to the Mediterranean. Towards the end of the day you walk along the "Iron Road", where ore from the mines of the Canigou was transported to the towns.
Walking time: approx. 5½ hours
Distance: 16km
+455 / -1145
Today, the GR10 route heads almost exclusively downhill to the charming little resort of Arles sur Tech, and along the way you'll discover a variety of plant species on the sands and in the forests. The mountain landscape is ever-changing, becoming increasingly lowland, and the area abounds in exciting scenery. In fact, the Canigou massif is home to about a quarter of all plant species in France!
Walking time: approx. 4 hours
Distance: 11.5km
+55 / -1235
The day starts with a transfer (25 minutes) from Arles sur Tech to Montalba. The walk starts here from Montalba d'Amélie, a very charming village. You walk through beech and chestnut forests to the Cerda pass at the foot of the Sant Salvador cliff. You continue to the Frausa cliff, from where you can look out over the Catalan plains.
Walking time: approx. 6½ hours
Distance: 17.5km
+965 / -965
This stage is the transition point for the entire hike across the Pyrenees, when the GR10 reaches the Alberes massif and hits the French-Spanish border at the Col du Perthus pass. The GR10's Spanish counterpart (GR11) follows the same route on the Spanish side and the Alberes massif is the last mountain before you arrive at the big blue Mediterranean. This stretch is a pleasure with a varied and beautiful landscape.
Walking time: approx. 8½ hours
Distance: 26km
+1030 / -640
Today's stage is long and the many highlights include the pass to Pic Neulos, Pic de Quatre-Termes and Pic de Saifort, which is the last ridge before you reach the sea. Further down towards the sea, the mountainous landscape and wild nature are now replaced by vineyards. The inviting sea is right here. You arrive in Banyuls sur Mer, where you spend the night and enjoy life with your feet in the water.
Walking time: approx. 8 hours
Distance: 23km
+680 / -1615
Today is the last day of the tour and you will leave your hotel in the morning. If you wish, we can arrange extra nights at the last hotel. Please contact us if you would like to know more about this.
The price is based upon two people sharing. For safety reasons it is not possible to go on this tour as a solotraveler.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
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Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.
The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.
Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from Biarritz in France are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
It works like this:
Getting there
Here is a link for the perfect tool which will help you get an overview of how to get to the starting point of the tour: Rome2Rio
From the airport to Vernet les Bains
It's easy to get from the airport to Vernet les Bains. Get an overview of the options here:
From Montpellier: Rome2Rio
From Barcelona: Rome2Rio
Return from Banyuls sur Mer to Vernet les Bains
If you need to return to Mérens after the tour, we may be able to arrange a transfer for you. Please contact us if you would like a price for this. It is also possible to take public transport, which you can find out about here:
Banyuls sur Mer to Vernet les Bains: Rome2Rio
Return from Banyuls sur Mer to the airport
Here's how to get from Banyuls sur Mer to the airport:
On this trip you will stay as follows:
If you wish to upgrade to the Comfort version of the tour, you will stay overnight as follows:
COMFORT
Note: Sleeping in dormitory is included in both versions of the tour and therefore it is necessary to bring a sheet/sleeping bag on the tour. You will be provided with blankets at all accommodations, so sheet bag will be sufficient.
On this trip, breakfast and dinner are included throughout the trip. However, dinner is not included on day 7 in Banyuls sur Mer.
Included meals
Breakfast is standard "continental breakfast" with tea, coffee, milk, bread, butter, jam etc.
Evening meals consist of 3-course menus with starter, main course and dessert.
Please note that drinks for the evening meals are not included in the price.
Lunch
Lunch is not included but can be purchased at the accommodation. It will typically be in the form of a picnic lunch that you take with you on the tour.
Luggage transfer is included on days 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. The way it works is that on arrival at the first hotel you will receive your luggage tag in the welcome pack. You fill in the luggage tags and put them on your bag, where it will stay for the whole trip.
The luggage is collected around 9am each morning and arrives at the next hotel by 6pm (usually well before). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer, you will be informed of this on arrival.
One bag can be transported per guest and bags must not weigh more than 15kg.
IMPORTANT / NOTE: On this trip there is one day when luggage cannot be transported and therefore on that day you will need to pack and carry all necessary equipment on the hike (including a sheet- or sleeping bag). This is day 2, when you will have to carry necessities for the nights, as you will be without your luggage that night.
You will recieve the following documentation
Upon booking
You recieve practical information about the tour in a digital format
One month before arrival
You recieve your hotel list and your voucher (hotel list is often supplied upon booking)
Upon arrival
You recieve the welcome package which contains the printed version of the road book, luggage tags, local specific vouchers and if you have rented bikes then they will also be delivered and fitted at the first hotel.
This trip is aimed at the experienced hiker in good physical shape and with mountain hiking experience.
The hikes are on average 7-8 hours per day, the altitude difference on average 1000-1300 m. The tour follows accessible paths, but also on uneven terrain, with some minor technical difficulties. The walking times given are indicative, they are average times that only take into account the duration of the actual walk without taking breaks into account. Depending on the weather conditions, the walking pace may also vary.
The tour is grad 3-4 wich is elaborated on below.
Grade 3
Walking in hilly or mountainous terrain, with longer ascents and descents. You will walk 5-7 hours a day. Requires good fitness and good health, but no technical experience. Requires good footwear such as trekking or hiking boots.
Grade 4
Trekking with daily walks of 6-8 hours, often in difficult terrain and higher altitude. There will be longer ascents and descents. Requires endurance and strong knees and ankles. Requires good hiking boots and "outdoor" clothing. There will be major fluctuations in temperatures.
Read more about our Grading System
Here you can get an overview of the entire route and the elevation profile for each day. The data shows the data from the GPX-files related to the tour. Notice that the routes are sometimes updated, which means that there might be small variations.
Colors
Blue routes: The route as normal
Red routes: Variations/options (such as shortened or extended routes)
Travel Insurance In general we recommend that you are covered by a good travel insurance covering at least Medical Expenses, Illness, Personal Accident, Baggage and Repatriation. The customer is responsible to take the necessary travel insurance that covers these costs. Bering Travel, or our local partners, do not have any responsibility for our customers not being covered by a necessary travel insurance. You have to arrange your insurance in your home country.
It can be hard to plan your trip according to the weather, but to give an idea of the local climate, you can see the data below:
We are members of the Travel Guarantee Fund (nr. 2529) and have all available insurances. This covers you regardless of your nationality. Read more about that here.
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