This is a very beautiful walk through the less high eastern part of the Pyrenees mountains. Hiking free from the Cerdanya through the botanic reserve of Eyne valley up to Col de Nuria the Catalan sanctuary a lot of Catalan girls owe their christian name "Nuria" to. From their on we will explore (= cool hiking) this secondary Pyrenean massif, look for forgotten paths and find out where the lead to just keeping in mind we want to reach peak Canigou and visit its abbey by the end of the hike.

• Level : for learners, hikers and mountaineers with no fear of heights.  Many of the paths are poorly marked  and you may have to scramble when we explore less known parts of the Mantet Natural Reserve in the midst of nature; average 500m of ascent and descent per day onlu first day ascent is though.

• Rhythm : 4 to 5 hours walking per day, 1 rest day.  Ascent of Peak Canigou from a base camp (thus without a heavy rucksack).

Refer this page to a friend? click here  Itinerary : Meeting Point: Saillagouse (Pyrenees Orientales county, France) main station how to get there   Day 1 to 3, The Puigmal Massif : hiking from Llo through the internationally known botanic reserve Eyne valley, along the Pyrenean High Level Route (HRP) up to Cirque de Pic d'Eyne. From here we walk on the frontier ridge with its most beautiful panoramas to Spanish Catalonia (S) in front and the French Cerdagna behind us (N). Ascent of peak Pic d'Eyne ( 2786M), Peak de Nuria (2794M), Peak de Fenestrelles (2827M), Peak de Sègre (2843M) and Puigmal d'Err (2910M), Nuria (2000M), and the blue  Estanys Alt  ( = high lakes) of Carança (2500M),

Days 4 to 6. Around Carança valley : Lake Carança (2264M), Ras de la Carança, Carança cleft.  Walking here is special : several times we cross Carança river, small metallic bridges over the torrent and alongside the rock, back through Coma de Bassibès. Walking the frontier between France and Spain from peak to peak : Pic du Géant (2881M), Pic de Freser, Pic de l'Infern (2826), Pic de la Vaca (2826M), Estany d'alt de Carança (2500M).

Day 7 to 9, in the Mantet reserve  (Chamois) : hiking along the frontier ridge to Porteille de Mantet pass (2412M), Baraque des Allemands (1980M),  One day off looking for chamois or downhill to visit Mantet village.  Cap de Clots, spring of river Mantet (2330M), Roc Colom, Pla Guilhem (2300M) plateau with ongoing panorama.   Day 10 to 12 Canigou Massif, hiking from peak to peak : Pic de Set Hommes (2661M), Puig des Tres Vents (2731M) Porteillia de Valmanya pass (2591M), camping beneath peak Canigou, ascent through the chimney (2784M), Jasse de Cady (2200M), Saint Martin du Canigou (1055M),    End point = Vernet les Bains walking from above to Villefranche de Conflent/ Vernet Les Bains Railway station about 11 a.m. friday August, 22 (= in time for those a want to get back to London Stansted same day  (how?  click here)

Physical condition : you need to be free of dizyness and fear of height a normally good fysical condition, vacinated against tetanus. Of course helpfulness, a sens of humor even if bad weather lasts for some days (this can also happen in the soutern Europe) and team spirit are a must. Leader : Richard van Egdom. experienced and certified mountain leader, lives in the Pyrenees knows them as the back of his hand.  Contact him in time check available dates : Richard Practical information : Tips for a lighter Rucksack, how to get to the Pyrenees, more about us  click here .   Pyrenees Guide Service : This hike / trek as a private tourmade to measure for your group?
Terms : You need to be free of dizyness and fear of height a normally good fysical condition, vacinated against tetanus. Of course helpfulness, a sens of humor even if bad weather lasts for some days (this can also happen in the soutern Europe) and team spirit are a must. Basic cost : 180€ per day. Membership fee included. Membership conditions Included : guiding, 3-4 person tents, cookers, sleeping mats Not included : food and travelcosts. When staying in huts the guide's costs (board and lodging) are yours, this is usual. When needed : some single person tents, rucksacks and sleeping bags are available and can be hired (2€ per overnight each) make sure to contact Richard in time (now!) to hear if he's still free for trekking or hiking in the Pyrenees the period you want.  Practical information : Tips for a lighter Rucksack, how to get to the Pyrenees, more about us, click here

NB Meeting Point and how to get there: 

Meeting point is Saillagouse (Pyrénées Orientales county, France) main station. 

1. the night before at 5 p.m.

For those who prefer to organize for evening meal overnight and breakfast together (not included in the cost) can join Richard Sunday 5 p.m. at Saillagouse main station. A train coming from La Tour de Carol / Enveitg  at 3.40 p.m. arrives at Saillagouse at 4.26 p.m. This train waits in Enveitg for the train coming from Toulouse 12H40. Link : regional trains timetable 

2.for those flying in from London Stansted to Perpignan.

 At Perpignan Airport take the bus ( in French "car navette" ) or taxi to Perpignan City or main station. A train to Villefranche de Conflent / Vernet les bains leaves at Perpignan main station at 5.06 p.m. and arrives in Villefranche / Vernet les Bains at 6 p.m.. There will be a Petit train Jaune (yellow mountain railway) waiting to leave there at 6.38 p.m. for La Tour de Carol / Enveitg. This train arrives at Saillagouse at 8.24 p.m. Links : RyanAir French national SNCF timetablel 

3.For those coming by night train from Paris or coming from Toulouse.

The train leaving La Tour de Carol / Enveitg at 8.10 a.m. arrives at Saillagouse at 8.52 a.m. this train waits for the night train that left Paris Sunday, 10 at 9.56 p.m (eve)  over Toulouse (4.58 a.m.). This train normally arrives at Enveitg (= same station) at 7.55 a.m. Link : French national SNCF timetablel 

Please phone Richard to tell him when you will arrive : +32 60 456 497

If any problem : don't hesitate to call Richard  +32 60 456 497.

How to get back to the UK from Villefranche / Vernet les Bains ?

Take train at Villefranche/ Vernet les Bains  to Perpignan main station. There take a taxi or navette car to Perpignan Airport.  Inform about flight for London Stansted here RyanAir.  

If you prefer to stay overnight in Villefranche (a 17th century Vauban fortress worth visiting or visit Prades, Perpignan or Collioure (a nice medieval town at the Mediterranean) after the hike or arrive in London early afternoon :