Route to the Canigó from Cotalets, one of the most emblematic mountains and mythical of the Pyrenees Catalàn.
The Canigó, emblematic and mythical mountain, beginning of the Pyrenean chain by the Oriental slope, is one of these peaks that a Pirineísta that precie, can not obviar. It does not matter his modest altitude, does indispensable his ascensión if it wants to have a wide knowledge of the mountainous chain.
The Canigó (in French Canigou) is a macizo mountainous of the Pyrenees, situated in the Rosellón (south of France) , between the regions of Conflent, Rosellón, Vallespir and High Ampurdán
The peak, called «pike of the Canigó», has 2.784 metres. In spite of his moderate height, was considered the highest mountain of the Pyrenees because of the brusque desnivel that separates it of the plain of the Rosellón, doing it more impressive that other mountains more encajonadas and situated between valleys higher.
The white giant that divisa from the Mediterranean sea is an emblematic mountain for the Catalan culture; of here it splits the fire that lights up the bonfires of San Juan of the Països Catalans.
| October 2008 | ||||||
 Place |
 Days |
 Length |
 Desnivel  |
 Desnivel  |
 Difficulty |
 Type route |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | 1 | 8 Km. | 630 m. | 630 m. | Easy |  |
| October 2008 | ||
|
Place |
Days |
Length |
|---|---|---|
| France | 1 | 8 Km. |
|
Desnivel |
Desnivel |
Difficulty |
Type route |
|---|---|---|---|
| 630 m. | 630 m. | Easy | |
1. Canigó
630 m
630 m
Taking like starting point the Shelter dels Cortalets (2150 m), to the cual accesses from Prada of Conflent, once happened, coming from Puigcerda, takes a detour to the left, to Villerac. Once arrived to Villerac, will go on down a track in quite good state, until the Shelter. The track is of roughly some 25 km, with pieces of very diverse quality, but accessible with vehiculo normal. After happening a lot of tancas, will arrive to the last, that if it does not coincide with period of July and August, will be able to go up with the vehiculo, the track follows being in good condition. In period of summer it is necessary to leave the car the the ultima tanca i go up walking, roughly 30 minutes.
The itinerary by the French part of the cim, is absolutely affordable, even the 100 last metres that go up through an impressive pyramid of tartera, the French have achieved to realise a small way, but sure in the own tartera, ensuring it with estacas of metal i mallas metallic of containment. All a detail by his part for with the excursionistas.
Well, once in Cortalets, divisamos quickly the pyramidal peak of the Canigo, imponente and majestuosa.
From the Shelter, goes out clearly a way that has in front his the beak, and the glacier of the Canigo. At all but begin to walk the way goes turning to our right, and to the own right of the Canigo. To the five minutes access to the Pla dels Estanyols, place where finds a small laguito, with a lot of seaweeds. From here we can enjoy of the sights of the Canigo, the Pic Barbet and the glacier of the Canigo.
We follow walking rightwards, red and white marks, even seems that we move us away of our aim, until arriving to the Pic Cofre, to 2362m., from where the sight of the Canigo is spectacular, also in this ascensión go divisado all the Rosello, and the mar.
The way already directs decididamente to the pic, until arriving to the Roc dels Isards, to 2378m., from this place will descend some metres until arriving to the famous Portella, that is not but that a small brecha of rock, irremediablemente tortured by the inclemencia of the summit, from here appreciate of form imponente the glacier of the Canigo.
The route that we follow goes on down the same slope by which have gone up, the slope every time is but empinada and from down seems that we go to have to go up trepando by the tartera, but is not like this, the way goes doing big zig-zags by in the middle of the rocks, and thanks to the works that the French that have thrown doing in the tartera a very marked way and sobretodo safe.
Finally, without giving us account achieves the summit. The first that find is a table of orientation, done of ceramic of colours, and afterwards a big cross of iron preñada of flags of Catalonia. By this side divisa the descent of the another ascensión to the Canigo, by Merialles, i divisa the spectacular Chimenea.
The Canigo, a cim unforgettable, by the beauty of his seen, and by his pyramidal form, that approaches you to the sky, i by this so small summit but so beautiful.
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Voldria Bid to the Canigò, amb uns amics.
Jo tinc 8or anys.But sòc bona excursionista.
Els meus companys sòn mès joves..50 anys
But tinc entes that hi has a servei of jeeps that carry bastant amunt ..
Voldria Come the 10 i 11 vinents.
Pus Expect informaciò?
Hello Anna, are not an agency of trips, all the information of which have on this route is the one who have published in this page. A greeting!
Be nois Ploughs ho tenim complicat tant els that com jo pujem to look for the Flama the nit of the 22 of juny to the 23 com subtracts it that volgui bid qualsevol dia of the any sinó is in a 4 per 4 impossible, tot sigi per a be of the muntanya
Today 11 September I have decided to go to test luck with my vehicle ( no 4×4 ) and have been able to arrive until a barrier the which gives you access until the last stretch before shelter of Cortalets. Careciamos Of this information ( that it was closed to the step even 4×4 private ) and several people that went up until there also has happened them the same… Bar that cuts the access to track degraded!!
That is to say what supposes that excursion 3h go and go up.. You give of this point that is forbidden the circulcación ( have not seen any taxi 4×4 neither information on these; I suppose that they work only until August ) yellow poster 2h walking until Cortalets and afterwards 2h more until pike Canigó ( total 4h go up) and 4 hours go down until the car + the hour and something of descent by the forest track no asphalted with stones and socabones varied.
Said this say that we have not done peak by the logistics of the time ( go back to catalunya the same day ) and the extra of hours walking thanks to the gendarmerie or the watchdogs of the massif du canigou.
I create then better is to sleep in the gittes of villerach or Prade and hit a good madrugón..
But go the day before, patear 2h until the refu. Sleep, 2h peak and 4h until car..
I expect that tengais more luck that I, and serve you of help; already I will go back another day..
Hello, I want to go up this summer. My plan is to sleep in Prague and go up in 4×4 until cortalets (do not want to break my humble familiar).Where take the 4×4 that go up you to Cortalets? It is easy to park your tourism? I appreciate in advance the information.
Hello Pau, in Prada is not complicated to park, usually in the hotels have free parking. The 4×4 are very easy to take, have information throughout. In my case, asked him to the receptionist of the hotel that called me to be able to take one and us vinierón to look for. Quizas podrias Send an and- mail and that reserved it to you. Greetings.
Anonymous, thank you very much by your kind comment, think that go it to do in the weeks to come and ,of course, will communicate you the result. A greeting.
Anonymous, thank you very much by your information. I think that will be able to do it the next week and will publish the experience. thank you Again
Hello,
And from the last access, those that quilómetros of track there is until the shelter?
Thank you.
Now no longer it can access until cortalets in car, the way this fenced in and force you to rent a 4×4 to €30 by passenger.
Thank you By the update
The fences q give access to the shelter of Cortalets remained closed yesterday 22-June until the 13h. With which can go up -and like this did it- until Cortalets on foot bending the distance and the time but tb glorious excursion of some 9h total but is not for lacking of form.
Hello, and where it is the last fence?
Those that quilómetros are the track?
Thank you
The now same track is not accessible with tourism. I say it reason we were with three tourisms, the highest that had, and were brushing underneath all the way.
Thank you By the update
There are aerial steps?