Panoramic view of the Mediterranean, the Catalan section of the GR 10 offers a striking concentration of Pyrenean landscapes
The GR 10 in the Pyrénées-Orientales is a wonderful opportunity to hike the Catalan section of a legendary route that starts on the shores of the Mediterranean and ends at the foot of the Atlantic Ocean after crossing the Pyrenees.
By Nelly BarbéTwo colors, red and white, two letters, G and R, followed by a number, the number 10. In the Pyrénées-Orientales , zoom in on the 192.7 km of trails of the GR 10. The Catalan department, with the Mediterranean Sea as the finish, represents the final section of the legendary Grande Randonnée des Pyrénées, nearly 900 km long of mountain trails linking Hendaye (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) to Banyuls-sur-Mer.
A striking concentration of landscapes, between high mountains, deep forests and panoramic views of the Mediterranean, to be explored in one direction or the other. "The Catalan section is generally completed in eight stages of nearly 20 km on average, except for the last one, to arrive at Banyuls-sur-Mer, which is around thirty kilometers," explains Jean Jobert, head of the signposting commission within the French hiking federation of the Pyrénées-Orientales.
The entire route could be completed in at least a month. "On the GR 10, we are between 1,500 and 2,000 m above sea level. It's a route without any real technical difficulty for a hiker in good physical condition," continues the seasoned hiker.
This has nothing to do with the Haute Randonnée Pyrénéenne (HRP), which, on the other hand, is aimed at mountaineers and experienced hikers on a route that is mostly unmarked. Depending on your desires, available time, and ability, you can take the GR 10 for a day or over several days. "We are currently cataloguing all the shelters and cabins available on the Catalan section. Some of these places are guarded, others are not."
The passage through Lake Bouillouses is undoubtedly the most frequented part of the GR. Too much so, even for Jean Jobert's taste, who regrets that other trails, "particularly in Vallespir," are not more preferred.
Among the legendary stops is the Cortalets refuge, which is also the crossing point for a round trip to the summit of the sacred mountain of the Catalans, the Canigou. Reservations are highly recommended, as the refuge does offer the possibility of bivouacking around it. All that's left to do is put on your hiking boots, grab your walking poles, your hat, and don't forget the sunscreen, and off you go!
Le Parisien
