Pedraforca

Pedraforca (Fork-from stone)

Pedraforca is a summit located in the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park into the Pyrenees. This mountain is one of the emblematic of the Pyrenees as well as some others like the mountains of Montserrat and Canigó. This notoriety has made Pedraforca a popular destination for local hikers. The name Pedraforca is because of  the fork shape of the limenstone mountain, and isolated to any other mountain.

The Fork-from stone is shaped with two parallel peaks (the Pollegons) joined by a gap (the Enforcadura). In one side of the fork there are two summits the Pollegó Superior 2,506 m (8,220 ft) and a secondary peak named the Calderer 2,496 m (8,188 ft). On the other side of the fork there is the other lower Pollego 2,444 m (8,018 ft). The elevation of the gap is at 2,356 m (7,729 ft).

Duration: 5h; Difficulty: medium-high; Elevation gain: 950 meters.

Circular itinerary.

You will start the hike at the Gresolet viewpoint 1,600m (5,250 ft) The path goes up the pine  forest to reach the historic hut Lluis Estasen 1640m located in the Jaça dels Prats.

From this place you should take the path to SW direction that flanks the whole north wall. Ones you pass the Graella channel you go up a rocky ridge and reach the cavity of the swallows. Further up you will see the gap of Verdet 2,240m (7,350 ft) from there you will rock-climb the limestone ridge through channels and rocky steps.

In this section you have to progress careful, the place of the mountain is not suitable for people with vertigo. Your guide will provide you a helmet. He/she will bring for you a rope to secure the most difficult steps until you reach the Pollegó Superior.

On the top you can see the Cadí-Moixeró range, the peaks within La Cerdanya and Ripollés region, El Taga, Rasos de Peguera, Ensija range, the Bages counry side and faraway Montserrat. On W there are the mountains of Port del Comte Boumort and Montsec, among others.

You will hike down to the gap, then to the Est along a scree-slope to Saldes Village direction. On the bottom of the cree-slope you turn left to return to Lluís Estasen hut and finally the car park.

Gear:

You must bring sunscreen, sunglasses cap, hiking boots, windstopper jacket, gloves and helmet (if you don’t have helmet ask for your guide). The guide will bring a rope. You should bring some food and water.