Pyrenees
GR10 stage 7: Mérens to Vernet-les-Bains (self-guided)
Réf : BNHGSQ
In summary
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Sports
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Duration7 days
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LevelAdvance
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DestinationFrance / Pyrenees
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AgeFrom 16 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions51.98 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
A minimum of 2 people (including at least 1 adult) are required to book this stay.
In a few words
Between the borders of the Haute-Ariège and the distant shores of the Côte Vermeille, the eastern Pyrenees gradually descend towards the Roussillon plain, punctuated by occasional bursts of grandeur, such as the high plateaus of Capcir, the nearby Pays de Conflent and Vallespir, all set against a backdrop of majestic peaks like the Carlit in Capcir or the Canigou near French Catalonia. Starting from Mérens, the high mountains open up to the GR10 long-distance hiking trail, with a stop at the Refuge des Bésines (2104m) and another on the shores of the famous Lac des Bouillouses (2020m) in the Carlit massif. Crossing the high plateau of Capcir towards the Conflent region remains a constant pleasure for the discerning hiker: discovering mountain villages with a rich heritage still very much alive, often clustered around a remarkable Romanesque church, as in Planès or Mantet, not forgetting the Carança stage and the crossing of the Mantet and Py Nature Reserves. Arriving at the spa town of Vernet-les-Bains, at the foot of the renowned Mount Canigou, will be the culmination of a journey full of emotion and sensations, under the Catalan sun.
The highlights
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Part of the route lies within the Catalan Pyrenees Natural Park
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Crossing the Cerdan high plateau and its mountain villages
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The Mantet and Py Nature Reserves
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Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
For those wishing to undertake multi-day hikes involving over 6 hours of walking and an elevation gain of 700 to 1,200 meters, off-trail or over rugged terrain. High-altitude sections are possible. You engage in endurance sports several times a week, hike regularly, and are in excellent physical condition.
The expert's opinion
Regular walker, in good physical condition with experience in mountain hiking.
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 5h30
- Average distance/day: 14 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 862 m
- Average daily descent: 795 m
- Maximum altitude: 2391 m
Management
The paper roadbook contains all the information directly in your bag.
Paper Roadbook
Paper Roadbook
The paper travel file includes:
- IGN maps of the route with your itinerary highlighted
- Paper and personalized roadbook
- Planning schedule including a list of accommodations and transport (if transport has been booked)
- Luggage tags if you have booked luggage transport by us between accommodations.
In addition, we give you access to the detailed route on our mobile application (digital roadbook), and we provide you with the GPS tracks of the route on request.
Program
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Day 1: Arrival in Mérens les Vals
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 11 km
- Positive elevation gain 700 m
- Negative elevation 700 m
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h50
- Distance 12 km
- Positive elevation gain 750 m
- Negative elevation 750 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Check-in to your accommodation according to your arrival time. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to visit the village or take a walking tour.
The Joux Pass
This loop hike begins in open terrain before entering the forest to reach the Col de Joux pass, situated between the Ariège and Orgeix valleys. The ridge sections offer stunning views of the surrounding peaks, the most iconic of which is undoubtedly the Dent d'Orlu.
The Comte pond
Hike along the Mourguilhou stream, through pastures strewn with gentians and rhododendrons, to the pretty and bucolic Comte pond.
Day 1 -
Day 2: From Mérens les Vals to the Bésines refuge
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h45
- Distance 9 km
- Positive elevation gain 1300 m
- Negative elevation 300 m
- Maximum altitude 2333 m
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 11 km
- Positive elevation gain 1500 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
From Mérens, the GR10 gradually leaves the Haute-Ariège region and heads towards the Capcir plateau, with a classic Pyrenean stage through a deep valley, crossing several mountain passes. A long climb along the valley and the Nabre stream will take you to the Porteille des Bésines pass, at 2,333 meters altitude. Then you'll descend towards the Etang des Bésines lake and its staffed mountain refuge. As the stage is quite short, you can take a short out-and-back detour from the refuge to the Moulsut lakes, a small haven of peace in the Ariège.
Day 2 -
Day 3: From the Bésines refuge to Lake Bouillouses
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h45
- Distance 16 km
- Positive elevation gain 650 m
- Negative elevation 700 m
- Maximum altitude 2391 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
From the Bésines refuge, the route crosses the Coume d'Anyell pass, at an altitude of 2391m, before descending towards the Lanoux lake, with the Carlit peak in the background. This lake, or rather Lanoux lake, is the largest in the French Pyrenees, covering an area of 1.71 km². During your descent to Lac des Bouillouses, via the Porteille de La Grave pass, take the time to observe the surroundings, a good place to spot chamois and mouflon.
Day 3 -
Day 4: From Lake Bouillouses to Planès
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 19 km
- Positive elevation gain 250 m
- Negative elevation 750 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Starting from Les Bouillouses, a hiker's paradise and a "Little Canada" of the Pyrenees, the GR10 trail winds its way between plateaus, mountain lakes, and national forests. After reaching Bolquère, near the renowned Font-Romeu resort, you'll cross the vast high plateau of Cerdagne, a landscape found nowhere else in the Pyrenees. Then you'll arrive in Planès, a magnificent village with its Romanesque church, unique in Europe for its trefoil plan.
Day 4 -
Day 5: From Planès to the Carança refuge
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h30
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 1200 m
- Negative elevation 900 m
- Maximum altitude 2367 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
The topographical profile of the stage is reminiscent of a rollercoaster, with each descent often followed by a climb or a high plateau to cross. Today, the Pla de Cédeilles (1911m), and especially the Col Mitja (2367m), a remarkable viewpoint overlooking the nearby Capcir region and the iconic Pic du Carlit, are on the agenda, creating a somewhat unique atmosphere, with sensations already oriented towards the nearby French Catalonia.
Day 5 -
Day 6: From the Carança refuge to Py
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h45
- Distance 16 km
- Positive elevation gain 850 m
- Negative elevation 1650 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
The route begins with a wooded traverse towards the Coume de Bassibès, followed by a climb to the Col del Pal pass offering a sweeping panorama, notably of the Canigou massif. Weather permitting, a short out-and-back hike (approximately 1.5 hours) to the easy summit of Serre Gallinière will further broaden your horizons. The descent into the Alemany valley, in the heart of the nature reserve, leads to the village of Mantet, with its beautiful stone buildings, before descending through the woods to the village of Py, where you will spend the night.
Day 6 -
Day 7: From Py to Vernet-les-Bains
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 550 m
- Negative elevation 900 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
From the village of Py, the Mediterranean atmosphere becomes increasingly pronounced, particularly in terms of vegetation. A path along the Rotja valley leads to the Goa tower, situated on a small natural platform offering a beautiful panorama of the Canigou peak and the Haut Conflent region. A ridge path followed by a descent through the forest then leads to Vernet-les-Bains.
Day 7
Note
The programs were established based on the latest information available at the time of writing: unforeseen circumstances are always possible and situations beyond our control may alter their course.
Accommodation
During this stay, you will sleep in several different accommodations.
Access
Departure
Mérens-les-Vals, France
Day 1
End of stay
Vernet-les-Bains, France
Day 7
End of stay after your hike.
Go to the starting point
Take the train toMérens les ValsOrVillefranche de Conflent
How to get to Mérens les Vals by public transport:
Numerous trains depart from major cities towards Mérens les Vals (with connections): https://www.sncf-connect.com
How to leave Vernet-les-Bains by public transport:
Bus from Vernet-les-Bains to Villefranche-de-Conflent (Pyrénées-Orientales - Line 521 – Casteil > Perpignan): https://www.lio-occitanie.fr/horaires-et-plans/
From Villefranche de Conflent, trains run to major cities (with connections): https://www.sncf-connect.com
How to get to Mérens les Vals from Vernet-les-Bains by public transport:
Bus from Vernet-les-Bains to Villefranche de Conflent (Pyrénées Orientales - Line 521 – Casteil > Perpignan): https://www.lio-occitanie.fr/horaires-et-plans/
Train from Villefranche de Conflent to Mérens les Vals (with a connection at Latour de Carol): https://www.sncf-connect.com
The nearest airport isToulouse-Blagnac Or Perpignan
Travel to the place of stay
with parking
available
Vehicle parking in Mérens les Vals:
Parking in the village: at the train station or at the Auberge du Nabre (free and unguarded/unsupervised)
Vehicle parking in Vernet-les-Bains:
Parking at the thermal center (free and unguarded/unsupervised)
If you are leaving your vehicle for the entire duration of your stay, please check with the tourist office to find out if any events (festivals, markets, etc.) will be organized at your parking location.
It is strongly recommended that you travel by train for your trip to avoid returning to your starting point to retrieve your vehicle, as journeys can be very long and poorly served, or expensive if you choose to return by taxi. However, if you do choose to come by car, we advise you to leave your vehicle at your arrival point on the first day and drive to your starting point for your trip. This will give you time to make the journey and you won't be tired from your week of hiking.
Price details
The price includes
- Half-board accommodation
- The travel kit includes IGN maps and a guidebook
- Access the detailed route on our mobile app
- GPS tracks available upon request
The price does not include
- Drinks
- Picnics
- Showers in mountain huts are chargeable.
Options
- Comfort version (4 nights in a private room) : CHF104.50 / person
- Single room (if comfort version) : CHF104.50 / person
- Picnic : CHF85.50 / person
- Luggage transport for a group of 2 people : CHF237.50 / person
- Luggage transport for a group of 3 people : CHF171.00 / person
- Luggage transport for a group of 4 people : CHF137.75 / person
- Luggage transport for a group of 5 people : CHF118.75 / person
- Luggage transport for a group of 6 people : CHF104.50 / person
- Return transfer from Vernet les Bains to Mérens (weekdays) : CHF237.50 / reservation
- Return transfer from Vernet les Bains to Mérens (Sunday and public holiday rates) : CHF280.25 / reservation
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Equipment
Decathlon Travel Partner
The Gaëtan team
4.5/5
(54 reviews)
• 70 stays
Établie au Pays basque et en Ariège, l'équipe de notre partenaire local est profondément ancrée dans ses terroirs. Depuis toujours, elle explore les Pyrénées et les montagnes basques avec une passion débordante. Aujourd'hui, elle transmet son amour pour ces massifs qui regorgent de beautés naturelles et de richesses culturelles. Disposant de son propre hébergement dédié aux randonneurs, ce partenaire offre une immersion authentique et humaine au cœur des sommets.
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