43   Ras de la Caranca - Col de Mantet  13 km

La Cabanasse

Col de Mantet                             13 km

The day started with a difficult climb with far too many rocks on the trail. It got even worst once we had reached the pass Col del Pal at 2.292 m. This turned out to be our last high elevation pass before arriving at the Mediterranean Sea. The way down we had to navigate big rocky steps. This was really crazy. Further down it became better. At Mantet we stopped at a shop / restaurant for a refreching cool drink and some icecream. I also bought some freeze dried food for the rest of the hike. Than a thunderstorm threatened and we hurried on. We took the longer road up to Pass Col de Mantet. Other day hikers took the more challenging trail but were not really faster. Downhill we continued for a while along the road until leaving it short of Py. Here we found a spot for the night. The threatening thunderstorm and rain never caught up with us.

The trail passes through the open pine forest

The cattle moved aside for us

Col del Pal, our last high elevation pass at 2.292 m

In bad weather or an emergency we could have taken cover here

On the way to Mantet