Page Type: | Mountain/Rock |
---|---|
Lat/Lon: | 42.24165°N / 1.70545°E |
Elevation: | 8192 ft / 2497 m |
Pedraforca is one of the most beautiful mountains in Catalonia. It has two main peaks that look like a pitchfork when viewed from the East (Pedraforca means 'pitchfork of stone' in Catalan). The North face is a steep rocky wall in which dificult climbing was introduced in Catalonia by Lluis Estasen in 1928. Nowadays a lot of people ascent it by the normal route, specially in summer, because it is easy. The route climbs the north peak (Pollegó Superior), which is the highest. It is a nice route, you cross a forest, walk up a col (Coll del Verdet), climb a little rocky section (very easy) and follow the ridge overhanging the north face (a little aerial). The descent usually is made by the stonefield which lies between the two peaks. The other peak (Pollegó Inferior) is about 2400 m and it can also be climbed easily. There are more technical routes in the north face of the north peak and in the south face of the south peak.
From Barcelona you must go to Berga (road C-16) and follow the principal road just before arriving in Guardiola de Berguedà, where you turn left to Saldes, the village just below the mountain. You can follow the road to Gosol and have a look to the west face, quite different!
No permits required. Free acces, but the Pedraforca massif is a protected area, so you must respect animals and plants (as always!).
The mountain can be climbed all seasons. From December to April usually with snow, which makes the ascent a little more difficult.
Free Camping is not allowed in the area, but in summer weather conditions are fine, so you can bivouac easily. It is a very wonderful experience to see the sunrise from the top, but don´t go in St. Joan, you won´t find a place! Of course there are nice public campings near the mountain where you will find all the services.
Meteo info can be obtained from: www.gencat.es/servmet/ (It is important because the weather in the area can change quite rapidly and storms are heavy) For the mountain conditions better ask to the guardian of the Estasen´s refuge: Tel. 938220079-608315312 General information for climbing in Catalonia in: www.feec.org
"Alt Berguedà i Cardener". Agustí Jolis i M. Antònia Simó. Centre Excursionista de Catalunya. Barcelona, 1950(first edition) : A classic book of Pedraforca and surrounding area. Includes the classical first routes of some difficulty made in Catalonia.
lisu - Nov 23, 2002 6:25 am - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentI have modified the information about camping because I know it was misleading. I have added "free" to mean camping out of a public camping.
ALICIA - Nov 16, 2002 1:05 am - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentFirt category camping very close to the Pedraforca mountain and the Natural Park Cadi-Moixero . Open all year round. Bungalow rent. More information in www,campingpedraforca.com
lisu - Nov 23, 2002 6:25 am - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentI have modified the information about camping because I know it was misleading. I have added "free" to mean camping out of a public camping.
genispp - Sep 10, 2006 2:07 pm - Hasn't voted
External linkHello!!! I am Genís of Gósol I am created a new external link of Pedraforca massif in last summer 2006: http://genisgosol.deviantart.com/gallery/scraps/
Babidi - Nov 2, 2010 5:46 pm - Hasn't voted
Removing unavailable external linkLink named "Gósol Pedraforca" is no longer available.