Pedraforca

2,506 m

Spain

Also known as Педрафорка, Massís del Pedraforca

Педрафорка · Massís del Pedraforca

Elevation: 2,506 m
Prominence: 654 m
Difficulty: 3/10; Mountain hike
Best Season: Sep–Oct
Routes: 2

Routes

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SACT3ScrambleNormal route

Sources differ: PD- (Camptocamp, when the scree gully is snow-covered) · T4 (Steep, eroded scree and a short rocky gully above the Enforcadura; rutespirineus.cat describes the scree as hard for the inexperienced)

The most direct and technically easiest way to the Pollegó Superior (2,506 m): from the Mirador de Gresolet car park past the Lluís Estasen refuge, up the long scree gully (tartera) between the two prongs of the 'fork' to the Enforcadura col, then a short rocky gully to the summit. About 950 m of ascent and 3 hours up.

Elevation Profile

Distance: 3.7 km; one way
Ascent: +939 m; start → summit
High Point: 2,506 m
Time Up: 3h 37m; DIN 33466
Time Down: 2h 23m; DIN 33466 · same way back

From the Mirador de Gresolet car park (about 1,573 m), 4.5 km by paved road from Saldes, walk 15–20 minutes to the Refugi Lluís Estasen (1,673 m). Signposted paths lead south through the forest to the foot of the Tartera de Saldes, the huge scree slope that separates the Pollegó Inferior and Pollegó Superior and gives the mountain its fork shape. The crossing at its foot can be exposed when snow lies there. Climb the scree below the wall of the Pollegó Inferior to a narrowing called l'Embut, where it steepens, then up the upper slope to the Enforcadura (about 2,356 m), the col between the two summits. A section of the path through the scree has been fenced with mesh and timber to concentrate traffic and let the slope recover. From the col, take a short rocky gully on the Gósol (north-west) side just beyond the col, then traverse up to the summit of the Pollegó Superior. Descend the same way; the Verdet route is not recommended in descent. The tartera is steep, loose and one of the most accident-prone places on the mountain, so take care not to knock stones on people below and stay on the marked line. Most parties now climb via the Coll del Verdet and use this route for the descent, as the local tourist office recommends.

Start

Mirador de Gresolet1,572 m

Buses from Barcelona to Guardiola de Berguedà; no regular service to Saldes or the Mirador de Gresolet. A shuttle bus Gósol–Saldes–Mirador was trialled in August 2022.
Parking at the trailhead

Stages

Day	Stage	km	m ascent	m descent	Time
1	Mirador de Gresolet → Pollegó Superior	3.7	939	10	3h 37m

Waypoints

Parking:
Mirador de Gresolet1,572 m
Hut:
Refugi Lluís Estasen1,675 m
Feature:
Tartera de Saldes2,180 m
Long scree gully; narrowing at l'Embut
Col:
Enforcadura2,357 m
Summit:
Pollegó Superior2,506 m

Key Passages

Crossing at the foot of the tartera (exposed in snow)
L'Embut narrowing in the scree gully
Short rocky gully from the Enforcadura to the summit

Equipment

0/6 packed

Technical

Crampons and ice axewhen the tartera holds snow (spring, winter): PD-Recommended

Safety

Helmetstonefall from parties above in the scree and gulliesRequired

Footwear

Mountain boots with good griploose, eroded screeRequired

Clothing

Sun protection and windproof layerRequired

Other

Waterspring at the refuge onlyRequired
Trekking polesscree descentRecommended

Downloads

Route confidence 75%

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Overview

Catalonia's emblematic two-pronged limestone mountain (2,506 m) in the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park. The summit, the Pollegó Superior, is reached by a polished scrambling gully and ridge from the Coll del Verdet or by a long scree gully to the Enforcadura col.

The Pedraforca ('stone fork') stands apart from the Serra del Cadí in the Berguedà, in the Pre-Pyrenees of Catalonia, between the villages of Saldes and Gósol. Two limestone ridges, the Pollegó Superior (2,506 m) to the north and the Pollegó Inferior (about 2,445 m) to the south, are separated by the Enforcadura col and two great scree slopes, the Tartera de Saldes and the Tartera de Gósol, which give the mountain its unmistakable silhouette. It lies within the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park and is one of the most climbed mountains in Catalonia, with more than 20,000 summiteers a year.

There is no simple walking route. The classic ascent climbs the north side to the Coll del Verdet, then a polished gully with moves of grade I–II and an exposed ridge to the summit; the alternative goes straight up the Tartera de Saldes to the Enforcadura and a short rocky gully. Most people link the two in a loop of about 5 hours from the Mirador de Gresolet, going up the Verdet and down the scree.

The walls of both prongs, especially the north face of the Pollegó Superior and the Calderer, carry many rock climbs. From the summit the view takes in the Cadí, the Pyrenean main chain, Montserrat and the Catalan plain.

Climbing Notes

You need to be comfortable scrambling on exposed, polished limestone (I–II) and descending steep, loose scree. A helmet is essential because of the crowds and stonefall; less experienced parties should consider a mountain guide or carry a short rope. Fitness for about 1,100 m of ascent and a 5-hour day is enough.

Typical plan: drive to the Mirador de Gresolet car park early (it fills on summer weekends), go up via the Coll del Verdet and down via the Enforcadura and the fenced path in the Tartera de Saldes. The Refugi Lluís Estasen, 15 minutes from the car park, is a good base. Avoid the gully when wet, as the polished rock becomes treacherous. In winter and spring the Verdet gully holds ice and hard snow and the tartera becomes a snow gully (PD−): crampons, ice axe and winter experience are needed.

Season

Best Sep–Oct

January: Not advisable
February: Not advisable
March: Possible
April: Possible
May: Good
June: Best
July: Good
August: Good
September: Best (best window)
October: Best (best window)
November: Possible
December: Not advisable

Jan: Winter mountaineering only; ice in the Verdet gully
Feb: Winter conditions
Mar: Snow gully in the tartera (PD−) for equipped, experienced parties
Apr: Snow patches on the north side; ice possible in the gully
May: Late spring; check for lingering snow on the north face
Jun: Good conditions; long days
Jul: Hot and very busy; afternoon thunderstorms
Aug: Peak crowds and parking pressure; storms
Sep: Often stable and quieter
Oct: Good in dry weather; shorter days
Nov: Early snow and ice possible
Dec: Winter conditions

Access & Permits

Hut Booking

Refugi Lluís Estasen: book online at refugiscatalunya.com or by email; 35 places.

Fees

Overnight fees at the Refugi Lluís Estasen (FEEC), with discounts for alpine-club members

Rules

Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park regulations apply; stay on the marked lines, especially the fenced path in the Tartera de Saldes
Summer motor access to the Mirador de Gresolet has been restricted in the past (pilot closure with shuttle bus, 1–15 August 2022); check saldes.cat or the natural park before travelling in August
Overnight parking at the Mirador de Gresolet is reportedly not permitted (unconfirmed visitor report, 2025)

Getting There

Saldes (Gósol on the west side)

Barcelona–El Prat (BCN); Girona (GRO)

Car: C-16 to Guardiola de Berguedà, B-400 to Saldes, then right just past Saldes on a 4.5 km paved road to the Mirador de Gresolet car park
Bus from Barcelona to Guardiola de Berguedà or Berga; no regular public transport to Saldes or the trailhead
From Gósol, a marked path leads to the Coll del Verdet

Hazards

Rockfall
Exposure
Weather

Huts & Shelters

Refugi Lluís EstasenRefugeStaffed
35 beds · Staffed; when closed only the porch offers shelter (no winter room)
Book Refugi Lluís Estasen Website of Refugi Lluís Estasen
1,673 m