Walking and Hiking in the Pyrenees

It is hard to find enough superlatives to do justice to the walks in this area!  Several seasoned walkers staying at La Châtaigneraie recently have claimed the walking to be some the best they have ever done.

Whether you are an experienced mountaineer or Nordic walker looking for some exhilarating challenges, or a gentle rambler wanting a pleasant stroll with magnificent views – perhaps taking in one or two local hostelries en-route – we guarantee you will not be disappointed.

Click on the gallery below to see some local views (with thanks to guests who kindly donated their photos!)

Click here to find a great selection of self-guided walks around the Conflent.

Groups Welcome…

If you are part of a mountaineering or walking club looking for holiday accommodation, then look no further! We have the perfect base for a group holiday with exceptional facilities for a large group.

Some benefits of a group holiday at La Châtaigneraie:

• Accommodation in the heart of the mountains, but with contemporary style and comfort
• Many miles of walks straight from the garden
• A large guests’ lounge where you can gather to socialise, plan your walks and watch films in “cinema style”
• En-suite accommodation with wifi access throughout
• Swimming pool to relax in at the end of your walk (May – end of September)
• Owners on site to ensure your holiday runs smoothly
• Bespoke catering packages to suit your needs – we can offer any combination of B&B, packed lunches, catered evening meals or half-board aarrangements with the local bistrot
• Space to be together….. and space to be apart!

Our accommodation is flexible and can be adapted to suit groups of any size from 2 to 28.  Contact us now to discuss your requirements and we will help you plan a holiday to remember!

Climb Mount Canigou

Mount Canigou rises to 2,800m.  Once thought to be the highest peak in the Pyrenees, the Canigou dominates the landscape in this area of the Pyrenees Orientales.  There are various routes to the summit with most starting from the Chalet des Cortalets.  You can get to the Cortalets by joining a jeep safari with a pick-up and drop-off service to La Châtaigneraie at no extra charge. There is a well-marked trail that is quite a challenging hike, but achievable by anyone who is reasonably fit with a decent pair of walking boots!

For the more energetic there is also an annual 33km race to the top!

There are over 250km of graded marked trails of varying difficulty close by and we have a series of laminated self-guided walks (from 2 – 12km) to help you explore safely if you are not an experienced map-reader.  It is possible to enjoy superb mountain walks straight from our front door.  If you don’t mind driving you can also explore the spectacular coastal scenery of the mediterranean coast and the stunning lakes of the ski resorts between here and Andorra.