Trekking across the rooftops of the Pyrenees
In summary
-
Sports
-
Duration8 days
-
LevelExpert
-
DestinationPyrenees / Pyrénées-Orientales
-
AgeFrom 16 - 70 years
-
CO₂-Emissions72.95 kg CO2
-
Type of stayIn a group
-
Languages
French
In a few words
Discover a grand Pyrenean traverse , a true high-altitude adventure for passionate hikers . This 7-day journey takes you along the most majestic trails of the massif, through wild and unspoiled landscapes. Your challenge begins with the ascent of Pique d'Estats , the highest peak in Catalonia, before reaching the highest point in Andorra .
The route stretches through the hanging valleys of the Madriu and Campcardos , where a multitude of high-altitude lakes shimmer at the foot of the peaks. Constantly above 2,000 m , you finish in a spectacular finale with the iconic triptych of the eastern Pyrenees: Carlit , Puigmal and the imposing Canigó .
Each stage is punctuated by carefully selected accommodations . Whether for their prime location or their comfort, these mountain huts and guesthouses guarantee a warm and authentic welcome. Between sporting challenge and immersion in the natural beauty of the Pyrenees, this adventure offers a unique perspective on their diversity, far from the beaten track.
The highlights
-
Exclusive route for an exceptional circuit!
-
Easy progression at altitude each day above 2000m
-
Canigou, a major site in France
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 6h30
- Average daily elevation gain: 1194 m
- Average daily descent: 1200 m
Management
French
Guided by a state-certified mountain guide specializing in Ariège, Andorra and Canigou.
Program
-
Ascent to the Pinet refuge
- Transportation Minibus - 02h30 - 132km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Positive elevation gain 1200 m
- Negative elevation 200 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Arrival in Villefranche-de-Conflent at 8:30 am and transfer to Vicdessos (2.5 hours). Pleasant hike along a balcony trail in a secluded valley for a gradual warm-up before ascending to the Pinet refuge.
Day 1 -
Ascent of the Pique d’Estats
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 1300 m
- Negative elevation 1600 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Ascent to Montcalm (3,077 m), passage to the roof of Catalonia, the pica d'Estats (3,143 m), then to the peak of Sotllo (3,072 m), descent among the eponymous lakes.
Day 2 -
Cirque de Baïau and Coma Pedrosa (2,942 m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Positive elevation gain 1100 m
- Negative elevation 1300 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A gentle climb up the bucolic Boet valley, with its numerous wetlands teeming with Scandinavian cotton grass and many other flowers typical of these latitudes. Crossing the cirque and passing near the Baiau lakes, to reach its spectacular breach; the foot of a mountain straddling three countries... Ascent of Andorra's highest peak, the Alt de la Coma Pedrosa. Descent into the valley and overnight stay in a hotel in Andorra.
Day 3 -
Madriu Valley and White Gate of Andorra
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 9h
- Positive elevation gain 1700 m
- Negative elevation 1500 m
- Accommodation Rural hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Ascent of the Madriu Valley, the longest and wildest in Andorra, with its centuries-old pastoral architecture. Lakes follow the forest, countless in color and shape. The Porteille Blanche pass marks the descent into the Carol Valley. Overnight stay in the Carol Valley.
Day 4 -
Ascent of Carlit Peak (2,921 m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Positive elevation gain 1500 m
- Negative elevation 1000 m
- Accommodation Rural hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
The atmosphere is constantly changing, with the dense high-altitude pine forest contrasting with the vast semi-desert expanses of the Cerdanya altiplano, leading to the local "lord," guardian of mouflon sheep and lakes: the Carlit peak. Incredible views and descent to the upper Carlit lakes.
Day 5 -
At any ridge from Puigmal (2,910 m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Positive elevation gain 1500 m
- Negative elevation 1200 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Short transfer (40 min). Gradual ascent to Puigmal (2,910 m), to reach the imposing Hercynian mountain range. The route winds its way along a multitude of peaks, all above 2,800 m, following a consistently high but easy-to-travel ridge. The adjacent valleys unfold one after another: Sègre, Eyne with its nature reserve, Riberole, Carença with its lakes, and Nuria with its sanctuary. Chamois follow mouflon.
Day 6 -
Ascent of Canigou (2,784 m)
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 9h
- Positive elevation gain 1200 m
- Negative elevation 1200 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
An extraordinary traverse, sometimes amidst vast, high Hercynian plateaus, sometimes along a ridge, skirting the peaks of the Esquerdes de Rotja (one foot in the Py nature reserve and the other in the Prats-de-Mollo reserve). After the climb to the "Sept Homes" (Seven Homes), a short ridge walk followed by a brief descent leads us to the vicinity of the iconic peak. The long-awaited ascent of Pic du Canigó, with its breathtaking sea views!
Day 7 -
The forests of Balatg
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 50 m
- Negative elevation 1600 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
A gentle descent through the refreshing spruce forests of Canigou brings us back to the village foothills of Conflent to conclude this unforgettable trans-Pyrenean trek. Short transfer to Villefranche-de-Conflent train station.
Day 8
Accommodation
Access
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- The trip will be supervised by a state-certified mountain guide.
- Accommodation in mountain huts and rural hotels/gîtes
- Full board from picnic lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8
- The transfers planned in the program
- Registration and organization fees
The price does not include
- Transportation to the meeting point
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Showers in mountain huts are chargeable.
- Any visits not included in the program
- Anything not mentioned under "Price includes"
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
