There are plenty of incredible hikes in Catalonia, but Pedraforca stands out as one of the most iconic. This mountain, located 2 hours from Barcelona, is well-known by locals for its peculiar shape and isolation, without any other peaks nearby. The first time you see it, it’s truly breathtaking.
The hike to the summit is a fun mix of lush forests, rocky terrain, and even some scrambling sections. And the views are absolutely mind-blowing.
All in all, it’s the perfect hike for an adventure close to Barcelona, with fresh air, stunning views, and a bit of a challenge.
We first hiked it in September 2024, and in this guide, we’re sharing all the tips on how to get there, when to go, what to expect on the trail, and more…so you’re ready to enjoy this fantastic hike!
Technical details
🥾 Distance: 8.8 km (circular hike)
🟠 Level: Moderate
⬆️ Elevation gain: 1.156 m
⏰ Duration: Between 5 and 7 hours. But it depends on the number of stops you make and the pictures you take!
🗓 When to go: The best seasons to hike Pedraforca are spring and autumn. In Summer, it’s usually pretty hot and crowded, and in winter, you can find snow (so you need crampons and an ice axe).
🧭 Wikiloc track
The Pedrafroca mountain has a quite characteristic shape, with two peaks: Pollegó Superior (the taller one, at 2.507 m) and Pollegó Inferior (the shorter one, at 2.445 m). The two peaks are connected by a mountain pass known as L’Enforcadura.
In this post, we’ll explain to you how to hike the Pollegó Superior, which is the most famous one. Climbing the Pollegó Inferior is much more technical and requires climbing and mountaineering skills.
⚠️ Important!
Climbing Pedraforca (via the Coll de Verdet) isn’t suitable for those with vertigo or a fear of heights. There’s a section that requires scrambling, and while it’s not technically difficult (grade II-II+), it is exposed and airy.
If you’d rather skip this section, we recommend ascending and descending via the Tartera de Saldes and L’Enforcadura instead of doing a circular route.
Scrambling section at the Coll del Verdet- Views from Coll del Verdet
Location of Pedraforca and how to get there
Pedraforca is an isolated mountain in the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park, right between the Pre-Pyrenees and the Pyrenees area. There route to the peak starts at the parking lot of the Mirador de Gressolet (Gresolet lookout).
Getting to the trailhead by public transport is complicated. From Barcelona, you can take a bus to Berga, which takes around 2 hours. But once in Berga, the only way to get to the Mirador de Gresolet is by taxi.
The hike to the Pedraforca Peak
The hike to the Pedraforca summit starts at the Gresolet lookout. Across the parking lot, you’ll see a wooden sign pointing you to the beginning of the route in the direction of the forest. The hike is marked with white and yellow lines, so follow them, and you’ll know you’re on the right track!
For the first 15 min, the path unwinds through a beautiful forest of pines, making this part of the hike very enjoyable. And then, you reach the meadow Jaça dels Prats, right at the foot of the Pedraforca mountain. In this meadow, you’ll find the Lluís Estasen hut, where you can enjoy a morning coffee, tea, or sandwich before tackling the climb.
Once you leave the hut behind, you’ll slowly gain altitude. The forest disappears, and instead, you’ll walk next to massive rock walls. It was pretty foggy when we did it, which gave the landscape a mystical touch. And, during the few seconds the fog went away, we could enjoy really nice views of the endless forests.
After the rock shelter, the climb starts getting steeper and you have to zigzag up until reaching the mountain pass Coll del Verdet. This is a nice place for a break before starting the scrambling section all the way to the top.
⚠️ Important!
If the weather isn’t good, we recommend turning at this point. The climb from this point to the top is long and difficult to retreat from.
Once in Coll del Verdet, you don’t have to follow the white and yellow lines any longer, as they would take you to the village of Gósol. Instead, the climb is marked with yellow lines and cairns.
So, time to use your hands! The climb is quite vertical and aerial in some sections but with good handholds and even chains in some tricky spots (although they seem a bit old, so we wouldn’t rely 100% on them).
This stretch of climbing and downclimbing can feel a bit long if you’re not used to scrambling. But it isn’t technically difficult. Just make sure to secure your foot and have a good grip before taking the next step.
⚠️ Important!
Some rocks are pretty loose during the climb. Be mindful not to knock down any rocks along the way so you don’t accidentally put other hikers below you at risk.
And don’t forget to enjoy the breathtaking views! It feels a bit like being on top of the world. In the distance, you can spot the small village of Gósol and the Catalan countryside.
At the end of the Verdet scramble, you reach what seems a peak. But it isn’t! It’s just a smaller “peak”, the northernmost one on your way to Pollegó Superior (the main peak). From here, you can already see the Pollegó Superior.
You now have to lose a bit of elevation, climb up to another “peak”, and then descend again before tackling the final scramble that takes you right up to the main summit: Pollegó Superior. You made it!
Since this is a popular route, you’ll likely share the summit with other hikers. But the good news is that there’s plenty of space to sit, relax, and enjoy a snack without feeling crowded.
Once at the top, you get stunning 360-degree views. To the north, the rugged Serra del Cadí stretches out as part of the Catalan Pre-Pyrenees. Looking east, you can see the rolling hills and forests of the Berguedà region. On a clear day, you might even spot Montserrat in the distance if you look to the south. To the west, the landscape flattens out towards the Ebre depression. And closer by, you can see Pollegó Inferior (the shorter peak) and the Enforcadura saddle (where you’re heading next) right below you.
After taking in the views and enjoying a much-deserved break, it’s time to go down! But don’t worry, the impressive views haven’t ended yet.
The descent to the mountain pass L’Enforcadura is well signposted, and although you have to scramble down at some point, it’s nothing compared to what you did before in Coll de Verdet.
- Descent to L’Enforcadura
Beautiful views on the way down
After 20 mins or so, you finally reach the mountain pass L’Enforcadura, which separates Pedraforca’s two peaks. It has a giant U-shape and the views from the are spectacular!
You feel so small in between the rock walls of Pollegó Superior and Pollegó Inferior!
Here, the scree begins. The descent down the scree is one of the most famous parts of this route. But, in recent years, it has deteriorated a lot and lost a large amount of rocks. That’s why this path is closed, and now there is an alternative route that goes down the side of the scree. It’s much safer and necessary to preserve the scree.
You’ll see a sign explaining it. So, instead of descending via the scree, you just need to follow the white and yellow lines.
The descent unwinds along the right side of the scree, overcoming a very steep slope and almost touching the north face of Pollegó Inferior. It’s long and slippery, but with the proper attention and focus, it isn’t dangerous (falling to the ground at some point is just part of the experience!).
Depending on the time of year, the trail can be in better or worse shape, depending on how long it’s been since the last maintenance. With so many people using it and the terrain being super unstable, it wears down pretty quickly.
After 500m of intense descent, you’ll see a path branching off. It connects the scree to the Lluís Estasen hut, and it’s the one you need to take! Be careful here because it’s easy to just keep descending instead of taking that secondary path. But you don’t need to go all the way to the end of the scree.
The last section of the route until the hut is an easy and quiet path through a pine forest. It crosses a scree (Tartera dels Cabirols), but it’s a short one, and the path is flat (not slippery).
Once you reach the hut, it’s time to celebrate! Grab a cold drink and relax on the lush green meadow right in front of the hut.
If you’re hungry, ask the hut wardens. They might be able to make you a sandwich or a hot meal. If you’re there around lunchtime, you can enjoy their menu, which includes a salad, mountain rice, and dessert. Just remember to book in advance!
To reach the Gresolet lookout again, you just need to follow the same path you took at the beginning of the route.
Things to take into account when hiking Pedraforca
🌦️ The weather in the Pedraforca area is usually pretty stable, but if you wake up and see that things aren’t looking great or the forecast isn’t in your favour, it’s best to skip the hike. Avoid going if it’s raining, snowing, or stormy; it’s just not worth the risk. To check the weather before heading out, we recommend the Mountain Forecast website.
☔ In summer, afternoon showers are common, so starting early is your best bet.
🌬 Even though you hike in summer, it’s never a bad idea to take a windproof jacket and some warm clothes cause it can be very windy on top.
🧢 Once you leave the forest and start the Coll del Verdet section, you won’t find any shade. So, grabbing plenty of water, sunscreen (reef-friendly!), and a cap or hat is a great idea. If hiking on a scorching day, starting early in the morning or late in the afternoon might be your best bet to avoid sweating like a pig!
💦 There are no streams or lakes on this trek, so be sure to take enough water with you.
🥾 Wear hiking boots or trail running shoes with good grip. The scree on this route is very slippery, so you’ll need footwear with solid traction and a sturdy sole to keep you stable. When we hiked it, we saw people in regular sneakers (even Converse!). While you might make it through, you’ll be risking slips and injuries, and it’s just not worth it!
💆🏼♀️ The trail gets quite busy in summer. If you’re looking for a more relaxing experience, we recommend going there at the end of spring or in autumn.
Adventure upgrade 👌
Want to upgrade your adventure? If you’re sleeping nearby, you can climb Pedraforca at sunrise and enjoy breakfast on top! Waking up might be though, but we promise spectacular views, a wonderful sunrise, and probably no one else in the trail.
If you do so, don’t forget to grab a head torch (a charged one!), extra snacks, and some layers. Even if you hike in summer, temperatures at night drop drastically, so make sure to factor this in when packing for your trip.
Also, go with plenty of time to get to the peak before sunrise. You don’t want to miss it because you’re still hiking!
Where to eat near the Pedraforca mountain
After all the effort made hiking Pedraforca, it’s time for a well-deserved meal! If you hike in the morning and are done by lunchtime, here are some options to enjoy a good meal:
- El Forn: This traditional restaurant in Gósol is to die for! They serve typical Catalan dishes but with an elaborated twist. We loved everything we ordered, especially the peus de porc (pig’s feet) and the beef fillet.
- Cal Vermell: Another delicious restaurant in Gósol, also famous for its mountain rice dishes. The place feels like home and the homemade desserts are also amazing.
- Restaurant Susen: Beautiful countryside house (what we call masia) with an incredible terrace for sunny days. They serve typical Catalan food, and their mountain rice is really good.
- Baridanament: If you’re looking for something more informal, this is a great option! It’s a food truck located at 1500m, so the views hardly get any better! The lovely couple who runs it serves delicious burgers, cured meat and cheese platters, and patates braves (fried potatoes with a spicy sauce). It’s open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 am to 7 pm.
- Restaurant Ca l’Amador: On the other hand, if you’re looking for something fancy, this is a great option (although a bit pricier). It’s a bit further from Pedrafroca, but worth the drive! They have a beautiful terrace and serve a tasting menu. It’s only open from 1 pm to 3:30 pm.
Where to stay near the Pedraforca mountain
If you plan to climb Pedraforca, you can take the opportunity to sleep in the area and discover other beautiful corners of the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park. Here are our favourite places to spend the night:
- Càmping Repòs del Pedraforca: A beautiful campsite with parcels and bungalows. There is an area in a forest where you can wild camp (meaning there aren’t any structured parcels) enjoying amazing views of Pedraforca! The campsite has a restaurant, an indoor and outdoor pool, and a shop.
- Càmping Mirador al Pedraforca: Another cosy and familiar campsite with great views of Pedraforca. It also have parcels, bungalows, and a wild camping area in a forest. We loved the bar, the friendly staff and how clean the common areas were.
- Hotel L’Indret del Pedraforca: Adults-only boutique hotel with incredible views of Pedraforca. The service is impeccable, the rooms are super comfy (with forest views), and the food is delicious. Perfect for couples or anyone who just wants to relax and reconnect with nature.
- Lluís Estasen hut: This is the closest you can sleep to Pedraforca! The family-run hut sits right at the base of the mountain and it’s a really nice one. The wardens are super friendly, the food is good, and the facilities are clean.
We hope this guide helps you experience the magic of hiking Pedraforca and enjoy its scenic views. If you do this hike, let us know your experience in the comments 🙃
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