Pyrenees GR10: Part 8, Vernet-les-Bains to Banyuls

GR 10 Trek

This self-guided walking holiday is the sixth part of a wonderful & dramatic 415km crossing of the Pyrenees Mountain chain between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean along the GR10 long distance trail. You’ll amble through stunning scenery that varies enormously, with flower-filled meadows, sparkling lakes, cirques and high summits. You’ll get a taste of many different cultures, from the Basque country by the Atlantic to Catalonia by the Mediterranean. Each valley you pass through has its own distinct flavour.

The mountain that is fully representative and symbolic of the Eastern Pyrenees, the very symbol of the Catalans, is the Massif du Canigou. This summit dominates the Roussillon plains and the Mediterranean coastline. The position of the summit is isolated from the rest of the Pyrenean chain, so it stands out and is easy to spot, omnipresent in the landscape. It is nicknamed the Fujiyama Catalan. These protected areas that you walk through are a special environment and for nature lovers there is rich flora and fauna to admire. From Vernet-les-Bains, depending on the weather and your motivation, you have the choice of going around the Canigou summit, or going up and over! Then, you will drop down to the Roman spa town Arles sur Tech. From here, the GR10 gets close to the French/Spanish border, after having passed the Roc de France and the famous Col du Perthus, you will drop down into a vegetation of Mediteranean garrigue. The last mountain foothills of the Massif des Albères give way to the sea. You can’t help but be charmed as you approach the enticing blue coastline. The sandy beach of Banyuls, one of the prettiest spots along the Vermeille coastline is not far off !

Accommodation & Meals

• Half board
• 1 night in hotel** in room on day 1
• 1 night in a guest house, in room on day 4
• 1 night in mountain gite in room on day 3
• 1 night in gite in room on day 6
• 1 night in mountain gite in shared dormitory on day 2. Bring a sack sheet (blankets provided)
• 1 night in mountain refuge in shared dormitory on day 5. Bring a sack sheet (blankets provided

Navigation, Walking Notes & Maps

The vast majority of this walking holiday follows the GR10 (Grande Randonnee) long distance trail which is very well way-marked with red and white markings. Moreover, there are several signposts along the trail. The walking follows clear paths for its entire duration. Some small sections follow local or unmarked trails, for example to access accommodation or to access panoramic summits, but these are easy to follow. On this particular walking holiday we use the Cicerone guide books. As well as the walking notes we supply walking maps. You’ll be provided with detailed 1:25,000 walking maps.

Luggage Transfers

On this walking holiday you can choose to have your main luggage transferred between accommodation so you only have to carry a day rucksack with a picnic lunch (supplied by the guest houses and included in the holiday price), water and spare clothes, waterproofs, camera etc. On this holiday several local taxi companies are responsible for transporting your main luggage. Please limit the weight of your bags where possible to 15kg.

Travel Info

How to get to Vernet-les-Bains:

By air :
Toulouse-Blagnac airport (140km) : tel 0033 (0)561424400, shuttle service to Toulouse Matabiau train station all the 20mn. Perpignan airport : tel 0033 (0)468526070

By train :
TER from Perpignan station to Villefranche de Conflent. Then bus from Villefranche de Conflent to Vernet-les Bains.

By car :

From Perpignan, N116 to Villefranche-de-Conflent, and Vernet-les-Bains.

Parking :
Parking in Vernet les Bains : All free : on top of la Place de la République, next to schools, or post office car park.

How to leave to Banyuls :

TER train from Banyuls to Perpignan (Cerbère to Perpignan line).

Travel to Vernet-les-Bains from Banyuls:

TER train from Banyuls to Perpignan. Train from Perpignan to Villefranche de Conflent. Bus from Villefranche de Conflent to Vernet les Bains.

Public transports
Informations SNCF: https://uk.voyages-sncf.com/en

Please contact us for assistance in organising your travel arrangements

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.