At the crossroads between Girona and Andorra, the provinces of Osona and Ripollès offer a lot more that one can expect by simply looking at a map.
Being, along with Conflent and Cerdagne, the historical cradle of Catalonia, the area provides pletore of hidden treasures to be discovered along the Royal Road linking towns of Vic and Olot and sections of the Way of St James proceeding from Montserrat.
Isolated sanctuaries, Romanesque churches and monasteries, small villages almost untunched since the 18th century, are the landmarks for inspiring landscapes from the magnificent plateau of Collsacabra to the inalterable panoramas of the Puigmal and Cadi mountains.
Stories and legends of local characters contribute to the themes developed along our routes: the famous medieval figure of Abbot Oliba, Jacint Verdaguer, one of the main Catalan poets, Comte (Count) Arnau, a scandalous Don-Juan equivalent and the fearsome bandit Serrallonga...
HEAVENLY PATHS
of COLLSACABRA
This is an adventure trail along medieval routes with such highlights as hermitages of Cabrera and Castello, the vertiginous cliffs and tortuous lake of Sau and the wonderful remote village of Rupit.
CAMPRODON &
the ROUTE of IRON & COAL MINES
Coming from Vallespir, the old town of Camprodon is the doorway to Ripollès. 3 different valleys can be explored:
- Up to Serra Cavallera ridge & the mountain of Taga
- Around the village of Setcases (with possible link to
the Nuria walks)
- Along the tracks of the old railway line to the mines
of Ogassa from St Joan de les Abadesses
NURIA & MONTGRONY
Sacred ways to sanctuaries
Nuria is set in a remarkable mountain
circus at the altitude of 2000 m.
Walkers can start either on the French or Spanish side and take the high way of Puigmal range or the more moderate valley to valley traditional trail.
The pilgrim's path to Montgrony, adaptable to any level, offers panoramic views over the Catalan Pyrenees.
Both sanctuaries can accommodate people for the night.
