WALK THE REGION WITH MIKE RHODES
COL MITJA
Col Mitja 2367m, Pic de Gallinas 2624m or Pic Redoun 2677m from Prats Balaguer 1309m.
Each day I look from our house in Les Angles at Col Mitja and the perfectly symmetrical peaks of Gallinas and Redoun on either side and wonder if you could paint a better picture.
Fortunately this walk starts from the pretty village of Prats Balaguer (GPS 31N 432043E 4705497N) with its picturesque 11th century church and provides a superb day out with a variety of choices for mixed ability groups, with several starting points and summit options.
It is also possible to descend into the Caranca Gorge or stay a night at the Refuge de Caranca.
♣ Getting there : Prats Balaguer is just off the road between Prades and Mont Louis. Follow the N116 to Fontpedrouse. Just after the village, signs take you left on the D28, ignoring the turn to St Thomas le Bain, and climb up to Prats Balaguer.
♣ The Walk : From Prats involves a climb of 1000m to the col and a further 300m to one of the summits so some parties may wish to park beyond Prats at “Le Bassin” at 1645m (GPS 31N 432716E 4703181N). (13kms from Prats to Col Mitja and return, 6 hours walking.) Allow additional time if you wish to climb one of the peaks. If parking at the Bassin, allow 6 hours return including one of the peaks.
♣ From Prats, follow the track east for 250m and then to the right for a further 420m to where a track branches off to the left, S and then E, climbing steadily, taking the R fork in the track after 20 mins.
Arriving at the crest of the ridge of Pic Coucouroucouil, 1585m, veer S and climb the SE flanc of the ridge to 1970m where the track descends slightly before climbing again to rejoin the ridge at 1995m. A further 5 mins sees us at the Collet d’Avall 1996m where we join the cross Pyrenees route GR10. After 2 – 2 1⁄2 hours of walking this col makes a great mid-morning stop with views over the Capcir and Tet valley.
♣ From the collet it is possible to follow a wide track all the way to Col Mitja but our route now follows the well way marked GR10 route for another hour to the col, crossing the jeep track at various points. (3 – 3 1⁄2 hours walking.)
♣ From the col we are confronted with several options. Pic de Gallinas (GPS 31N 435492E 4703167N) to the L and Redoun (GPS 31N 434664E 4701733N) to the R are both just less than an hours walk but both offer the most fantastic views from the top. For those wanting to do a circuit via the Caranca Gorge, descend the other side of the pass on good tracks.
Towards the bottom the path turns right to the refuge de Caranca 1831m where you may be able to get lunch or stay overnight. There is no phone at the refuge so making a reservation here involves a lot of pre-planning. Just before the refuge you will find the path on the L to Thues Entre Valls via the Caranca gorge taking 3 1⁄2 hours.
♣ Whichever route you chose, from the Col Mitja we are faced with more choices on the descent. It is possible to retrace our steps back to Prats or from Collet d’Avall, either continue descending the jeep track to the parking spot at Bassin or, just below the collet take the footpath to the L through the forest following the GR10 to Bassin.
Both routes take about 90 mins to Bassin. From the LH side of the Bassin pick up a good track that descends towards Prats. In 2 1⁄2 km we join a jeep track by a ruined building “Le Castell” 1388m and Prats is now in view another 10 mins further on.
♣ Whichever route you have chosen you will have had a fantastic day out and will have seen opportunities for further walks in the valleys and peaks to the south towards the Spanish border.
♣ On your drive down from Prats why not stop off at St Thomas le Bain for a dip in the hot pool or for a free dip, park at the first hairpin bend below Prats and take a track to the R where you will find a “source” which you may need to share with like minded people.
(Mountain rescue: PGHM (Peloton de Gendarmerie de Haute Montagne) Osséja 04 68 04 51 03 (or ring 112 to be transferred)
| Mike Rhodes is an International Mountain Leader / Accompagnateur de Montagne, lives all year in Les Angles and specialises in guided walks in the high mountains and Snowshoe trips in winter. He can be contacted on 0033(0)468043728 – mike.rhodes@free.fr or visit his website |
