Pedraforca Circular Mountain Hiking Route from Gósol Village

About Pedraforca circular mountain route

Pedraforca is a mountain summit within the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park in the Bergadá region of the Pyrenees.

The mountain has a peculiar, forked shape composed of two parallel peaks (the pollegons) joined by a neck (the enforcadura). The taller peak, called Pollego superior (2,506 metres) has a a secondary peak, el Calderer (2,496 metres). The lower peak, Pollego inferior (2,444 metres) with the Enforcadura's highest point at 2,356 metres. On both faces of the mountain there is a scree field (tartera in Catalan).

The closest villages to Pedraforca are Gósol and Saldes with Pedraforca being on the boundary of the provinces of Barcelona and Lleida.

Pedraforca and Montserrat are emblematic mountains of Spanish Catalonia. This fame has made Pedraforca a popular destination for hikers and rock climbers, as well as being used by the county of Bergadá in its coat of arms.

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Visiting Pedraforca circular mountain route

This 14Km circular hiking route is from the village of Gósol to the west of the Pedraforca summit and includes the 10th Century Gósol castle ruins overlooking the Gósol village.

Gósol is a village that the famous Spanish painter Pablo Picasso spent a summer in 1906 painting the mountains, village and his then girlfriend Fernande Olivier. At that time Gósol could only be reached by mule along a perilous mountain path.

I have visited Pedraforca in summer and in winter when it was snow covered. Both times were a fantastic and challenging hike.

Pedraforca summit involves clambering up some steep rocks to reach Pollego superior and Pollego inferior starting at coll de Verdet. This route is circular up to coll de Verdet with an additional linear section to the summits which may be impassable in heavy snow.

Accessibility, mobility & Clothing for Pedraforca circular mountain route

I pack for wind and rain when doing this hike because it is in the pre-Pyrenees mountains.

I recommend 2-3 litres of water.

If doing this as a winter snow hike, I recommend crampons and snow shoes.

Small 30L Hiking Rucksack

Includes high visibility fog and rain waterproof cover in zip compartment at bottom of rucksack.

Gore-Tex Hiking boots

I prefer ankle high boots on mountain trails for the ankle support and increased stability over rocky trails.

Full length Running leggings

For running in the hills around Barcelona or as a base layer for high mountain trails.

Compact First Aid Kit

Small lightweight first aid kit

Phone Case for watersports

IPX8 waterproof floating and submersible case & Lanyard. Permits photos and touchscreen use.

warm Wool socks

With toe and heel reinforcements that give good padding.

Convertible Trousers

Lightweight convertible trousers that zip down to shorts

Base layer short sleve

Thermal short sleve skin tight top

Mid layer Top

Light weight cotton quick dry T-shirt

Fleece jacket or Jersey

Light weight warm fleece

Windproof & Waterproof shell

Waterproof jacket and windbreaker

warm winter gloves

For snow activities and winter hiking

Crampons for Snow & Ice

When hiking in the Pyrenees and high mountains in winter I use Crampons for added traction on snow and ice patches.

Snowshoes Raquetas de nieve

For walking over snow covered mountains.

Adjustable Ski Poles

For Cross country skiing and Snow shoe hiking

Getting to Pedraforca circular mountain route

Address: 400 Km 1 Gosol, Gosol. 25716

• Public Transport: Gósol is served by ALSA bus with a route from Berga to Gósol but the bus times depart Berga at mid day and arrive in Gosol 80 minutes later. Berga is a town served by ALSA with a 2 hour bus route from Barcelona.Pedraforca is not a viable day trip by bus and an overnight stay in Gósol would be needed to do this trip by bus.
• By Car: I have always done this hike as a day trip by car. Take the C16 motorway passing Manresa and Berga. When you see signs for the town of Cercs look out for a Petromiralles petrol station in the Rodonella service area because it has a cafe/restaurant Els Portals de Cercs with outside seating on a deck and views of the Cercs Reservoir. Els Portals de Cercs is famous for delicous sweet and savory pastries which makes a great breakfast. Continue North on the C-16 Until the B-400 to the villages of Maçaners, Saldes and Gósol. Shortly after passing through Maçaners along the B-400 is a lay by viewpoint Mirador de Pedraforca which is worth stopping at. Gósol is about two hours drive from Barcelona excluding stopping time.

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