Aplec del Canigó

The Trobada del Canigó 2026 — June 13 and 14

The 2026 edition of the Aplec del Canigó will bring together Catalans from both sides of the Pyrenees on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14, around the Cortalets refuge (2,150 m), just below the Canigou peak (2,784 m). The weekend before Saint John's Day, as every year since 1955, delegations from Catalan villages will climb to deposit their bundles of vine shoots at the foot of the iron cross at the summit.

2026 Special Feature: Foot access only

For this edition, the Syndicat Mixte Canigó Grand Site has confirmed that festivities on the massif will be accessible entirely on foot. No motorized vehicles will be allowed on the massif's tracks during the Trobada. Several starting points are organized: Casteil (the most frequented, from Saint-Martin-du-Canigou Abbey), Fillols, and Valmanya.

The Weekend Ritual

Saturday, June 13 — Morning departures (from 8 a.m.) from the access villages. 5 to 6-hour ascent on foot (approximately 1,400 m of positive elevation gain) towards the Cortalets refuge. Arrival at the refuge in the afternoon, settling in, Catalan activities. In the evening, Catalan meal at the refuge (19.50 € indoors, 15 € outdoors, by reservation) followed by a fraternal vigil around shared fires, Catalan songs, sardanes, and preparation of the crémât — a traditional hot drink made from rum, sugar, cinnamon, lemon zest, and roasted coffee beans. Overnight at the refuge or bivouac nearby (the refuge is full for 2026).

Sunday, June 14 — Early in the morning, final ascent to the Canigó peak (2,784 m) for the depositing of bundles at the foot of the iron cross at the summit. Each Catalan village, from both North and South, symbolically deposits a bundle marked with the name of its commune, accompanied by messages, wishes, and poems for peace and Catalan unity. Gradual descent until 6 p.m.

What's next: the Regeneration and Sant Joan

The bundles deposited at the peak on June 14 will await the Regeneració de la Flama del Canigó on June 22: a flame maintained since 1960 will be brought up from the Castillet of Perpignan to the summit of Canigou to be rekindled. This regenerated flame will then be brought back down on June 23 (Nit de Sant Joan) to light the Saint John's fires in each Catalan village, on both sides of the border.

Saturday, June 13, 2026 — Ascent and Vigil

• 8:00 AM — Departures from gathering points (Casteil, Fillols, Valmanya). Prior registration required (capacity limited to 60 people per organized group).
• Morning — Ascent on foot towards the Cortalets refuge (5 to 6 hours, approx. 1,400 m positive elevation gain).
• Afternoon — Arrival at the Cortalets refuge (2,150 m), settling in, Catalan activities.
• Evening — Catalan meal at the refuge (by reservation, 19.50 € indoors / 15 € outdoors).
• Night — Vigil around shared fires: Catalan songs, sardanes, storytelling, preparation of the crémât. Overnight at the refuge or bivouac.

Sunday, June 14, 2026 — Depositing bundles at the summit

• Early morning — Wake up and departure from the Cortalets refuge towards the Canigou peak (2,784 m).
• Morning — Ceremony of depositing bundles at the foot of the iron cross at the summit by each village delegation.
• Afternoon — Gradual descent towards the starting villages.
• 6:00 PM — Official end of the Trobada.

Related festivities (outside the Trobada stricto sensu)

• Monday, June 22, 2026 — Regeneració de la Flama del Canigó: the flame maintained since 1960 is brought back up to the peak to be rekindled at dusk.
• Tuesday, June 23, 2026 — Nit de Sant Joan: the regenerated flame is brought back down and entrusted to the mountaineers of Vernet-les-Bains. Lighting of Saint John's fires in each Catalan village at nightfall.

• Major identity gathering of Northern Catalonia, perpetuated without interruption since 1955
• Ascent of Canigou (2,784 m), sacred mountain of Catalonia, with symbolic depositing of bundles at the summit
• Vigil at the Cortalets refuge (2,150 m): Catalan meal, songs, sardanes, traditional crémât
• 2026 edition 100% on foot — no vehicle access to the massif during the Trobada
• Prefigures the Flama del Canigó and the Saint John's fires throughout Catalonia

Practical Information

⚠️ 2026 Edition — Access entirely on foot. For this 2026 edition, the festivities on the massif will be accessed entirely on foot (no motorized vehicles allowed on the massif's tracks during the Trobada).

Starting points for the ascent

• Casteil (near Saint-Martin-du-Canigou Abbey) — the most frequented traditional starting point
• Fillols — access via the D27
• Valmanya (Els Masos de Valmanya) — north face

Mandatory registration (organized ascent)

Registration is mandatory with the Refuge des Cortalets (capacity limited to 60 people per group).

• On-foot ascent fee: €10 per person, €1 for children under 12
• Bicycle: free access
• Registration: refugedescortalets.ffcam.fr

Access and parking

Casteil is accessible via the D116 from Vernet-les-Bains (2 km). Parking in the village of Casteil. The trail then ascends towards the Refuge des Cortalets (2,150 m), a 5 to 6-hour walk with approximately 1,400 m of positive elevation gain.

Accommodation and catering

The Refuge des Cortalets (2,150 m) offers accommodation and catering, strictly by reservation. Please note: for 2026, the refuge is already fully booked — it is still possible to bivouac nearby. Saturday evening Catalan meal at the refuge: €19.50 (indoors) or €15 (outdoors, by reservation).

Physical condition

The ascent of Canigou requires good physical condition. Bring warm clothing (even in June, temperatures can drop at the summit), good mountain shoes, and sufficient water.

Contact

• Syndicat Mixte Canigó Grand Site (main organizer): 04 68 96 45 86
• Refuge des Cortalets (reservations, access info): 04 68 96 36 19
• Conflent Canigó Tourist Office: 04 68 05 41 02