Factsheet Self-guided walk Level 3/5 6-7 walking days GR10 from Mérens to Vernet les Bains: Cerdagne and Canigou mountains Your route in brief Self-guided walk, with a «comfort version» option Family walking, with friends or as a couple Bookings from 2 people Duration 7days/6 nights Highlights Access to main luggage everyday except 2 nights in refuge High Plateaux, mountain lakes, and the Canigou, mystic mountain From Mérens, the high mountains open up and offer a wonderful section of the GR10, with a walk that leads to the Refuge of Bésines, altitude 2104m. Another highlight is the part of the trail that takes you past the Bouillouses lake, famous for its natural beauty, it s situated at 2020m altitude in the Carlit Massif, it is an absolute gem to discover. Crossing the high plateau of the Capcir towards the Pays de Conflent you will enjoy a feast of wonderful views. You will discover some lovely mountain villages, the gorge of Caranca and the natural reserve called Mantet and Py before arriving at Vernet-les-Bains. We can supply you with GPS tracks for the entire route, just ask us! www.gr10-liberte.com / www.respyrenees.com Tél : (33) 5.34.14.51.50 ou (33) 6.83.82.98.28 mathieu@respyrenees.com
PROGRAM Day 1 : From Mérens to Bésines refuge Rendez-vous at 9 AM at Mérens railway station. From Mérens, the GR10 leaves Haut-Ariège and approaches the Capcir region. This is a classic Pyrenean walk. You pass through a deep valley, then cross a col to arrive at the refuge of Bésines. Distance : 9km, duration : 5h, altitude gain : +1250m, descent : -250m. Day 2 : From Bésines refuge to Les Bouillouses From the refuge of Bésines, the trail crosses the col called the Coume d Anyell before dropping down to the Lanoux lagoon, the biggest in the French Pyrenees, at the base of the Carlit mountain is situated the lake of Bouillouses. Distance : 16km, duration : 6h, altitude gain : +650m, descent : -750m. Day 3 : From Les Bouillouses to Planès Descent to the lake of Bouillouses, a little paradise for walkers. You continue on to Planes, a lovely walk that takes you through the forests of Barrès and Bolquère. There is a passage via the Col de la Perche and the village of Cabanasse with a variant possible to the old fort of Mont-Louis. Distance : 19km, duration : 5h30, altitude gain : +200m, descent : -700m. Day 4 : From Planès to the Carança refuge From the refuge at Planès to the refuge of the Caranca, this stage of the walk takes in the Pla de Cédeilles and an ascension of the Col Mitja. This is a remarkable belvedere that looks onto the Capcir and the emblematic summit, the Carlit. Distance : 14km, duration : 6h30, altitude gain : +1100m, descent : -800m. Day 5 : From Carança refuge to Py Today, you will walk from the refuge of the Caranca to the hamlet of Py. The GR10 crosses the reserve natural of Mantet and then the reserve of Py. There is a passage across the Col del Pal (2294m), with a wonderful panorama and after the Alemany valley and reserve, you will join the village of Py, where you spend the nigh Distance : 16km, duration : 6h30, altitude gain : +750m, descent : -1550m. Day 6 : From Py to Vernet les Bains The itinerary will lead you to the very foot of the massif of the Canigou mountain. This summit is nicknamed the Catalan Fujiyama Catalan. You will pass along the way the medieval look-out tower at Goa from where you can enjoy a 360 point of view. Then, quick descent through the woods to reach Vernet. Distance : 9km, duration : 4h, altitude gain : +350m, descent : -750m. Day 7 : End of the walk in Vernet After the breakfast and after a short transfer to Villefranche de Conflent (to the railway station). This programme is an example of the itinerary we aim to adhere to. It may be necessary, if situations arise that are beyond our control, for the itinerary to be modified. DATES AND PRICES Departures Every day from the 20th of June to the end of September. According to availabilities, booking from 2 people. Consult us for group discounts.
Price per person : From 20/06/2018 to 30/09/2018 : 575 Extras/Discounts : - COMFORT VERSION : 4 nights in rooms : 60 /pers. - DISCOUNT «BAROUDEURS» : no luggage transfer : 200 /booking The price includes : - Half-board accommodation - Luggage transfers days 2, 3, 5 and 6 - Dossier containing maps, route notes (1 for 4 persons, given in 1st accommodation) - GPS tracks if you ask us The price does not include : -Holiday and travel insurance -Showers in the mountain huts -Additional transfers -Entrance fees, additional activities -Drinks and picnics TAILOR MADE HOLIDAYS We can put together a suitable holiday for you taking into account all your specific requests and budget. Many individuals and trekking companies have relied on us for years. With our tailor-made holidays we always aim to provide you with the best quality at the fairest price. If you want to : increase the comfort of your accommodations, change the duration of your trip, organize additional activities or visits, get a transfer from/to an airport, organize an extra night, Contact Mathieu Tél : 0033 5 34 14 51 50 Port : 0033 6 83 82 98 28 mathieu@respyrenees.com ORGANIZATION We propose a self-guided, independent formula. You choose your departure date and we will take care of all the rest between the initial meeting time through to the leaving point. We transport your bags between the accommodations (you will have it on Days 2, 3, 5 and 6) ; we provide the maps and detailed walking route notes sent on the first accommodation. This is a way of enjoying complete flexibility, you dictate the pace and rhythm of your holiday. Moreover, our team will answer all your questions, and will provide all useful advice in order to make this holiday a success. DISCOUNT «BAROUDEURS» no luggage transfers We can offer you a reduced fee that does not include luggage transfers. It is therefore your responsibility to carry your own luggage from one stopover to the next. You are only permitted to use the people transfers and not the luggage transfer service with this option. The reduction is only available if everyone on the reservation has asked for this option. TECHNICAL INFORMATION Some information Maximum ascent : +1250 m/-1400m Global denivelation : 9100 m Global ascents : + 4300 m Global descents : - 4800 m Highest point of the section : 2470 m
Nature of the walk Sportive. Walks on mostly waymarked paths, but some technical difficulties are possible. Level 3 The walks are on good footpaths and trails, the terrain is varied but often rocky. You need to be used to walking and take regular exercise to enjoy this holiday. Detailed walking schedule Detail Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Ascent +1250m +650m +200m +1100m +750m + 350m Descent -250m -750m -700m -800m -1550m -750m Walking duration* 5h00 6h00 5h30 6h30 6h30 4h00 Distance 9Km 16km 19km 14km 16km 9km *Be advised : the walking duration is given to help you in your choice, but this is an average, not including the stops during the walk, and overall walking duration is just an indication, but can be different between walkers. Bibliography Pyrénées Magazine, GR10, nos plus belles étapes, n 92 mars-avril Guide vert Pyrénées Aquitaine, éd. Micheli Guide Bleu, éd. Hachette Chemins du Piémont n 1 G. Véron L épopée des Cimes, Bellefon, Ed. Alpes Pyrénées Rough Guide the Pyrenees - Marc Dubin 2004 Guide Self-guided walking, without guide. Carrying You will need to carry a day sack only, with your water bottle, camera, picnic and gortex jacket. Our bagmoving service means you can travel light during your walks, except for the nights in refuges, D1 and D4, where you have to carry your personal belongings necessary for the night (eg. lightweight sleeping bag or liner, change of clothes, toiletries). Your main luggage - will be transported by vehicle between the different night stops, which you will have nights 2, 3, 5 and 6. Unless you have chosen the reduced luggage transfer fee, in this case you must carry your luggage from one stopover to the next. We ask you to please limit your main luggage to between 10-15kg to facilitate the transportation and carrying for the taxis. It is also important to consider that it may be necessary to carry your bags short distances at the start or end of your holiday. (Consult with us for left luggage facilities). ACCOMMODATION/FOOD Accommodation Half board in communal dormitories in gites (4 nights) and mountain shelters (2 nights). Bring a light-weight sleeping bag or a liner. COMFORT VERSION : 4 nights in rooms, according to availabilities and with an extra cost : 60 /person. Food - Continental breakfast (tea, coffee, milk, butter, jam) - Evening meals in gites, often based on local specialities, include a starter, a main course and a dessert. - Pic-nics and drinks not included. PRACTICAL INFORMATION Starting : Day 1 at 9 AM in Merens les Vals railway station (09). Ending : Day 7 in Vernet-les-Bains (66), after your breakfast.
How to get to Merens les Vals : - By air : Toulouse-Blagnac airport (140km) : tel 0033 (0)561424400, shuttle service to Toulouse Matabiau train station all the 20mn. - By train : Many trains from Toulouse Matabiau train station to Latour-de-Carol ; get off the train in Merens les Vals. Contact SNCF (www.ter-sncf.com) to confirm the timetable. - By car : From Toulouse, 140km, auto route A61 to Pamiers (direction Andorre/Foix). To go to Merens les Vals from Foix, direction Tarascon sur Ariège, Ax-les-Thermes. PARKING : Parking in the village, or train station parking. How to leave Vernet-les bains : To leave Vernet in direction to Villefranche : shuttle service from post office to Villefranche battlements 10mn later ; walk to train station 5mn later. From Villefranche-de-Conflent, train to Perpignan or Latour-de-Carol. To join Merens les Vals from Enveitg - Latour de Carol train station : In Enveitg Latour-de-Carol train station, take a train to Merens les Vals, the Latour-de-Carol to Toulouse route. SNCF to confirm timetable. We recommend to arrive by train to avoid returns to departure to recover your car, because itineraries can be very long and badly served and very expensive if you take a taxi. If you insist to come with your car, we recommend you to leave your car on the arrival point the first day and to do the run to the departure point because the first day you have plenty of time to do the run and you will not be tired by a week walking. Public transports Informations SNCF: https://uk.voyages-sncf.com/en Practical information - Pyrénées Orientales tourism committee: 7 Quai de Lattre de Tassigny BP 540 Perpignan - tel 0033 (0)468342994 - Ax-les-Thermes tourist office: tel 0033 (0)561646060 - www.vallées-ax.com - Amélie-les-Bains tourist office : 0033 (0)468390198 - Vernet-les-Bains tourist office : 0033 (0)468055535 - Local weather : 0892680209 (Ariège) or 0892680266 (Pyr Orient) - Mountain rescue PGHM : tel 0561642258 (Mérens) - 0468357777 (Codis 66) - Mountain rescue PGHM, 66340 Osséja : tel 0468045103 - CRS 58 : 0468613081 WHAT TO BRING AND PACK Bags : A small day pack for your water bottle, camera, picnic and waterproof. A bag, rucksack or suitcase for your main luggage weighing a maximum of 12kg per person. The size of your bag varies upon the type of activity. For a walker without portage : 30L minimum For a walker with partial portage : 50L minimum For a walker with portage : 60L minimum Day Bag
Whatever activity you participate in, you should always carry in your rucksack waterproof clothing, a picnic, a bottle of water aswell as a small first aid kit and personal belongings, a camera, a hat, binoculars etc. Walking Boots The type of boot depends upon the activities you take part in however they are one of your most important items. They should be confortable, waterproof and breatheable. For the best protection we advise ankle boots. We recommend our young walkers to wear flexible walking boots with a good sole and back. For mountain walking for more than 4 hours long we recommend a boot with a fairly ridged sole. If you need to buy a new pair of boots we advise you wear them in before the start of your holiday. Don't wear boots that are too small because feet have a tendance to swell up. Clothes: - A wind and rainproof jacket - A thick jumper or a fleece - Comfortable walking trousers - Shorts, t shirts.. aswell as breathable base layers - Spare clothes - Swimwear and towel - For the start and end of season, hat and gloves suitable for GR20 walks at altitude. For Sleeping - Sleeping bag for all nights spent in the gites and mountain shelters (sheets are provided) - Earplugs For Picnics - Sealed plastic box (0.5L) to carry salads - Cutlery (folding knife and fork) - A 1L minimum flask For Walking : - Good walking shoes or boots with a good grip sole - Walking socks. - Warm fleece - Shorts and T shirts. - Swimming costume or trunks - Towel - 2 Walking poles (optional) - Water bottle (one litre minimum) - Personal first aid kit with good blister protection - Sunglasses and sun cream - Sun hat - Wind and waterproof jacket (Gore-tex style) Other little things - A pair of trainers or sandals for a night - Glasses and suncream - Walking poles - Hats - Camera - Small toiletry bag and towel - Torch or headlight - A first aid kit with personal medication, blister plasters (compeed), aspirin and survival blanket.