Canigou | Walking holidays in the Pyrenees

10 Amazing Photos Climbing Canigou – Pyrenees

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10 Amazing Photos Climbing Canigou mountain – Pyrenees

The Canigou (Canigó in Catalan), the sacred mountain of the Catalnas, is a massif, 2,784 m high, located in France, in the Départament des Pyrénées Orientales.

After some explanations I’ll show you 10 amazing photos climbing Canigou – Pyrenees.

Canigou is a mountain which is emblematic of Catalonia, covered by dense forests, and can be seen from many areas all around: in France, the Rosselló, the Conflent, the Vallespir; in Catalonia, the Empordà. In winter, its snow-covered outline is seen clearly against the surrounding countryside of the coast.

It is the highest mountain before the Pyrenees fall away into the Mediterranean Sea and it has always been considered a sacred place.

Until the 19th Century, the Canigou was thought to be the highest mountain in the Pyrenees. Its separation from the rest of the Pyrenees and its proximity to the sea gives it the shape of Great Mountain, even though it is lower than 3,000 m. The Canigou links the two Catalonias (the French and the Spanish) from the 19th century on after three centuries of separation due to the Tratado de los Pirineos. It became a symbol of the combined Catalonia.

Geologically speaking, the Canigou has been considered as a Géosite (more information here). Also, it is considered Grand Site de France, due to its unique landscapes, flora and fauna.

Its most notable monument is the Sant Martí del Canigó abbey, which is Romanesque.

The Canigou massif has more than 400km of signposted paths that allow us to design very interesting treks all around this beautiful area of the Pyrenees. To climb it walkers have two possible departure points: the Chalet des Cortalets staffed mountain hut (2,150m) and the Mariailles staffed mountain hut (1,718m).

From the summit, a spectacular panorama of the Pyrenees mountain range, the Roselló plain and the Mediterranean coast will make you forget all the effort expended during the climb. Fogs and storms can transform the ascent into a nightmare, so take a look at the weather forecast before departure. This is the official web site.

From the highest peaks in La Garrotxa you can spot the Canigou.

Canigou | Walking holidays in the Pyrenees

Canigou cross on the summit

Canigou | Walking holidays in the Pyrenees

A storm is developing …

Canigou | Walking holidays in the Pyrenees

The Canigou summit

Canigou | Walking holidays in the Pyrenees

Staffed mountain hut

Canigou | Walking holidays in the Pyrenees

Scrambling the chimney to Canigou summit

Canigou | Walking holidays in the Pyrenees

Fast descent

Canigou | Walking holidays in the Pyrenees

Clouds everywhere

Canigou | Walking holidays in the Pyrenees

Pica d’Estats in the background

Canigou | Walking holidays in the Pyrenees

Canigou summit

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Founder of TrekPyrenees and Mountain Guide, Miguel has a diploma in Computer Sciences and MBA. Passionate about mountains and about meeting and leading people, he loves photography, languages, Romanesque architecture and wine. There are many magnificent hidden spots in the Pyrenees and the other mountains of Catalonia that are hard to discover on your own. Miguel loves finding them and then showing them to visitors.

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