Sant Quirze De Besora Montesquiu Castle & Mir Waterfall
18km route via Montesquiu castle, through forests to Besora Castle ruin & village. Abandoned water mill complex & giant waterfall. forestall ridgeline to town
About Sant Quirze De Besora Montesquiu Castle & Mir Waterfall
Sant Quirze De Besora Montesquiu Castle & Mir Waterfall is a meduim-hard circular hiking route of 18km. The paths are mostly gravel roads and well trodden rural walking paths, all in good condition.
The first point of interest on this route is Montesquiu Castle, Castell de Montesquiu. It is possible to visit the interior of the castle. Opening times and prices to visit Montesquiu Castle can be found on the website.
After this castle the route takes rural gravel roads through Pre-Pyrenees cattle grazing land and forestal tracks to the ruined Besora Castle, Castell de Besora, which has spectacular 360° panoramic views.
From this ruined castle the route goes down via more stone farmhouses to the village of Besora then on through more grazing hills to the Mir river which is crossed via a wooden bridge infront of a weir. A little furter we pass the abandoned and ruined stone watermills and arrive at the 40m high Mir waterfall.
After the waterfall the route takes an uphill forestal path to a ridgeline with some great viewpoints. Follow the ridgeline path leading back to Sant Quirze de Besora.
Montesquiu Castle History
Montesquiu Castle dates from the 9th century when a guard tower was built for Count Guifré I. In the 14th Century the guard tower is transformed from a farmhouse with guard tower into a large fortified residence by Arnau Guillem de Besora.
Lluís Descatllar, residing in Barcelona, expanded and ennobled the house in the 17th Century, building the current chapel and expanding the north-east corner. At the beginning of the 20th century, Emili Juncadella gave the building the appearance of a castle that it has today and surrounded the castle with gardens.
After works to preserved the most significant architectural evidence from the various periods of the castle it has opened as a museum. The Nobel floor of Montesquiu castle is a centre to host conventions, conferences, courses or work meetings for companies and public bodies.
Image Gallery for Sant Quirze De Besora Montesquiu Castle & Mir Waterfall
Click on any of the 94 images to open full screen gallery player
