La Farga de Moles: GR 7 and Slate Tradition

La Farga de Moles lies on the left bank of the Valira, near the border with Andorra.

Hiking

The first stage of the GR 7 runs 12.37 kilometres from La Farga de Moles to La Seu d’Urgell.

Another section of the GR 7 runs from the Portella Blanca d’Andorra to La Farga de Moles.

This section covers around 40 kilometres and is highly difficult.

The two routes mentioned reach La Farga de Moles from opposite directions: one stage leads from here to La Seu d’Urgell, while the longer section approaches from the Portella Blanca d’Andorra. At La Farga de Moles, the GR 7 leaves Andorra heading towards Catalonia.

From there, the route continues as the European long-distance trail E4.

In the route described, La Farga de Moles is the point where the GR 7 leaves the border area towards Catalonia. Its continuation as the E4 takes the long-distance trail beyond this changeover, while the first stage to La Seu d’Urgell is given as 12.37 kilometres.

Slate and History

The Cal Cotet slate quarry in La Farga de Moles is one of the larger slate quarries that supplied dark slate for roofs in northern Alt Urgell.

At Cal Cotet, slate is still worked using traditional techniques.

Cal Cotet was home to a dynasty of slate workers.

This dynasty was represented by the Comella brothers.

Slate was extracted and worked there until 2001.

Thus, at Cal Cotet, the former extraction and working of slate stand alongside the craftwork mentioned as continuing to this day. The connection with the Comella brothers also points to the slate-working dynasty based there.

Culture

The church of Sant Roc, also known as Sant Miquel de Ponts, was consecrated in 940 by Bishop Radulf of La Seu d’Urgell.

The surviving remains include an apse decorated on the outside with a Lombard frieze of blind arches.

Part of the north wall has also survived.

The remains of Sant Roc lie in a forest about 40 metres from the C-145.

They are located approximately 100 metres before the border with Andorra.

Sant Roc is best reached on foot, as the turn-off to the east is blocked by a concrete wall.

Thus, at Sant Roc, the surviving apse and part of the north wall are connected with the forest setting near the C-145. The church is also located approximately 100 metres before the border with Andorra, while the eastern turn-off is blocked by a concrete wall.

Festivals and Local Connections

The main festival of La Farga de Moles takes place on August 15.

On March 14, La Farga de Moles celebrates Andorra’s Constitution Day.

The Meritxell festival is celebrated in La Farga de Moles on September 8.

In the cultural programme featuring the Motarrots of the villages, La Farga de Moles is associated with the name “Llepapaelles”.

The corresponding activities were planned for 2025.

Discover more places at Castell Del Remei, Betrén, Castellnou De Seana, Agramunt, Raimat, Sanaüja, Vilac and Burg.

The Spanish customs office in La Farga de Moles was temporarily relocated to La Seu d’Urgell.

For the higher-level travel overview: Lleida.