Saldes by Pedraforca: Nature, Trails and History

In Saldes, the Centre d'Interpretació del Massís del Pedraforca i de la Mineria de Saldes has a permanent exhibition on the Pedraforca massif. Twelve backlit information panels focus on its fauna, flora and geology.

Nature and Pedraforca

The Palomera nature itinerary is divided into the three routes “Riera Salada”, “Bosc de Palomera” and “Fauna de Palomera”. Information panels about the surroundings and the effects of human use of natural resources are provided along the entire route; the itinerary also includes viewpoints and suspension bridges.

Castell de Saldes was built in the 11th century on a rocky cliff at the foot of Pedraforca. From there, there are views over the valley of the Saldes River, the Cadí, Pedraforca and the Serra d'Ensija. The Mirador de Gresolet consists of viewing balconies built on a rocky cliff at the foot of Pedraforca, offering views of the mountain, the Serra d'Ensija and the eastern part of the Cadí mountain range.

The north face of Pedraforca can be seen from Gresolet. The Gresolet Forest and Pedraforca belong to the Parc Natural del Cadí-Moixeró, founded in 1983. The route to the monumental trees of the Gresolet Valley leads to the more accessible tree specimens in the Molleres and Gresolet valleys. The Avet de les Molleres de Gresolet is considered one of the tallest fir trees in Catalonia and stands at an altitude of 1,630 metres. Access to the Mirador de Gresolet has been adapted for people with reduced mobility. Gresolet can be reached from the C-16 via the B-400 and a turn-off onto a forest road at the beginning of the Saldes bridge; from Saldes, access is via the B-400, after crossing the bridge, followed by another turn-off onto a forest road.

Culture and History

The Dolmen de Molers lies at an altitude of 1,225 metres in the municipality of Saldes, near Molers and a few metres from the road from Maçaners to Sales. The access path begins next to the Cal Xisquet cross on the road de l'Obaga. The Església Sant Martí de Saldes stands in the centre of the village and is a rectangular building with three naves.

The Sant Sebastià del Sull monastery was built at the end of the 9th century as a retreat for the priest Daniel. Sant Sebastià del Sull is 5 km from Saldes and can be reached via the forest road towards Gresolet and a turn-off to the right near the Refugi Cal Ferrer mountain refuge. The current building of the Santuari de Gresolet and the neighbouring hostel were built in the 17th century.

Since 1959, the Santuari de Gresolet has housed a well-preserved, 55 cm-high polychrome wooden figure of the crowned Mare de Déu de Gresolet, seated on a throne and dating from the 13th century. Feners has been documented since 1289 and, despite later alterations, retains its original medieval structure. The village consists of two parallel rows of houses; their exterior walls served as the settlement's fortification walls.

In Saldes, the Festa Major d'estiu is held on 26 August in honour of Santa Severina. The Mercat Artesanal in Saldes takes place on the last Saturday in October.

Other places at the same destination level: Rupit, L'Estany, San Celoni, Balsareny, Olivella, Els Hostalets De Pierola, Castellterçol, Ripollet

Special Experiences

The Centre Astronòmic del Pedraforca has an astronomical telescope, a solar telescope and a digital planetarium. TULIPMANIA offers guided tours of the flower-growing grounds and allows visitors to create their own bouquet, picked directly from the field. TULIPMANIA has a tulip season in spring and a dahlia season in summer and autumn. Workshops on planting seasonal flower bulbs and an astronomy activity among the tulips are also part of the programme.

Trails through the Massif

The “Pedraforca pel Coll del Verdet” route begins at the Refugi Lluís Estasen mountain refuge and can be reached by car from the Mirador de Gresolet or from a point below the refuge. The “De Saldes a Gresolet” route begins at Plaça Pedraforca in Saldes, passes below the Mirador de Gresolet and runs along gorges on the northern slope of Pedraforca.

The “Ascensió al Pedraforca des de Saldes” route begins and ends at the Centre d'Interpretació del Massís del Pedraforca. A linear hiking trail leads from Saldes to Gresolet via Cal Costa along the northeastern slope of Pedraforca. Another linear hike leads from a restored open-pit mine to Prat del Reu at the foot of the Pollegó Inferior, approaching the southern face of the massif.

A linear hiking trail leads to the Santuari de Gresolet via Font del Faig; along the way, there is an option to make a detour to the Sant Sebastià del Sull monastery along the Saldes River. Another linear hiking trail leads from the Santuari de Gresolet through the Torrent de les Mulleres to Collell, passing large beech and fir trees.

To the overview of the higher-level destination: Barcelona.