Saldes at Pedraforca: Nature, Trails and Culture
Accommodation in Saldes
The “Pedraforca via Coll del Verdet” route begins at the Refugi LluĂs Estasen mountain refuge. By car, it can be reached from the Mirador de Gresolet or from a point below the refuge.
Nature and Trails
The Palomera nature itinerary is divided into the three routes “Riera Salada”, “Bosc de Palomera” and “Fauna de Palomera”. Along the entire route, information panels explain the surrounding area and the impacts of human use of natural resources; the itinerary also includes viewpoints and suspension bridges.
The “De Saldes a Gresolet” route begins at Plaça Pedraforca in Saldes, passes below the Mirador de Gresolet and runs along ravines on the northern slope of Pedraforca. A linear hiking trail leads from Saldes to Gresolet via Cal Costa on the northeastern slope of Pedraforca. Another linear trail 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 Saldes River, there is also the possibility of taking a detour to the Sant SebastiĂ del Sull monastery. Another linear hiking trail runs from the Santuari de Gresolet through the Torrent de les Mulleres to Collell, passing large beech and fir trees. The different starting points and landscape settings help visitors compare routes according to their desired itinerary.
Mountain Landscape
Castell de Saldes was built in the 11th century on a rocky crag at the foot of Pedraforca. From there, there are views over the valley of the Saldes River, CadĂ, Pedraforca and Serra d’Ensija.
The Mirador de Gresolet consists of viewing balconies on a rocky crag at the foot of Pedraforca and offers views of the mountain, Serra d’Ensija and the eastern part of the Cadà mountain range. Access has been adapted for people with reduced mobility. From Gresolet, the northern face of Pedraforca can be seen.
The Gresolet forest and Pedraforca belong to the Parc Natural del CadĂ-MoixerĂł, established 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.
Culture and History
The Centre d’InterpretaciĂł del MassĂs del Pedraforca i de la Mineria de Saldes has a permanent exhibition on the Pedraforca massif with twelve backlit information panels about its fauna, flora and geology. The “AscensiĂł al Pedraforca des de Saldes” route begins and ends at the Centre d'InterpretaciĂł del MassĂs del Pedraforca.
At the centre of the town, the Església Sant Martà de Saldes is a rectangular building with three naves.
Dolmen de Molers lies at an altitude of 1,225 metres in the municipality of Saldes near Molers, 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 Sant SebastiĂ del Sull monastery was built at the end of the 9th century as a retreat for the priest Daniel. It 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 sanctuary has housed a well-preserved, 55 cm-high polychrome wooden figure from the 13th century depicting the crowned Mare de DĂ©u de Gresolet seated on a throne. From the C-16, Gresolet can be reached 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.
Feners has been documented since 1289 and, despite later alterations, retains its original medieval structure. The settlement consists of two parallel rows of houses whose outer walls served as the settlement’s fortification walls. On 26 August, Saldes celebrates the Festa Major d’estiu in honour of Santa Severina; the Mercat Artesanal is scheduled for the last Saturday in October.
Further Activities
The Centre Astronòmic del Pedraforca has an astronomical telescope, a solar telescope and a digital planetarium. TULIPMANIA offers guided tours of the flower-growing site and allows visitors to create their own bouquet picked directly from the field. It has a tulip season in spring and a dahlia season in summer and autumn. The activities also include workshops on planting seasonal flower bulbs and an astronomy activity among the tulips.
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