The Cingles de Malanyeu, Catalan name Malañeu, is a mountain clif rock formation around the tiny Malanyeu hamlet in La Nou de Berguedá area of Berguedá, Catalonia and can be found 20km north of the town of Berga. Malanyeu hamlet consists of the Sant Sadurní de Malanyeu church surrounded by a handful of farmhouses.
This Autumn and Winter 14 Km circular hiking route starts in Malanyeu hamlet and ascends via beutiful beach (Las Espinedas) and oak forests to a rocky granite ridgeline route that circles the hamlet providing views of the high pyrenees peeks including Pedraforca, before descending via a secret waterfall path back to the hablet.
Note: In one section the path is a steep but short scramble up a rock formation and near the end, the waterfall descent does involve a short ladder descent.
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This route follows mostly the PR-C-199 hiking trail through forests along mountain top trails.
From the parking area follow the road towards Sant Sadurní de Malanyeu church and continue on passing the church and Cal Frare farmhouse. As the rural gravel road bears round to the right keep an eye out for a footpath on the left leading up into the Las Espinedas beach forest. Follow this trail crossing the river via the wooden footbridge and bear left following the river to a ruined water mill called Molí de Baix. Continue up towards a rock formation called El Grau.
The path ascends from El Grau along a cliff top (Cingles de Molí) forested path arriving at a small plain with the Masia la Solaneta farmhouse. From the open plain in front of the farmhouse we have views looking down to the hamlet of Malanyeu. Follow the gravel road out of the farmhouse and continue up to some more farm buildings before taking a forested ascending path up along a cliff formation to a viewpoint called La Creueta.
Continue along the side of the cliff formation passing Turó de la Rota before reaching a forested area called Mal Pas where the path turns sharply to the right to head onto the balma dels desertors, a rocky forested ascending path up to La Creueta summit (1393 m). From here tha path is relatively level following the ridgeline through a forested path called pas de la Creueta where between the trees are several viewpoints and mini summits (1399 m).
The path continues along the ridgeline passing small summits La Taleia (1445 m) and Collada de la Taleia (1428 m) befroe passing collada del Tosquer where the route takes a turn onto a path along El Grapissot rock formation towards the mountain plain of Collada de Sant Miquel. at the plain taker a right turn into the forested trail towards Roc de La Clusa (1729 m) summit viewpoint.
Continue in the forested trail to the summit viewpoints of Collet de la Font del Tudó (1645 m), Turó de Crisp (1660 m), Cap de la Baga de Cabanelles (1685 m), Portell del Porc (1639 m), Cap dels Emprius (1652 m), Serrat de Fulleracs (1644 m), Collada de la Batllia (1574 m) and along Cingles de Rovires enjoying the views at each summit.
At the El Grael de Pujals (1533 m) headland the path bears to the right towards La Foradada (1329 m) summit. Here you will see a rock formation with a hole in it like a window offering views over the Alt Berguedá mountainous landscape. Back track 50 or so metres from La Foradada and take the descending path on the right along another spectacular cliff top forested path with great views.
The path continues in the forest until it reaches Griell de Cal Pigot (1139 m). Here the trail gets a bit confusing but basically descends down to the bottom of the waterfall where next the plunge pool you will find a path that heads towards the waterfall with an opening on the left. here you will see a metal descending ladder of about 3 metres high to continue the trail down to the river at the bottom of the waterfall as it filters through the rock. Use the handholds on the side of the rock to descend backwards.
At the bottom follow the path crossing the river and following a forested path don to a gravel road leading back to Malanyeu hamlet.
This route is mostly mixed forest of oaks, beaches and pines with occasional mountain plains You may come across poisonous Pine Processionary Caterpillars in spring and summer. However, if you do this route in autumn or winter, as I recommend, then it is most likely that you will not find any. This is a good route in winter for your fury friend. the forest will be full of wild rabbit, boar and maybe deer scents.
Near the end of the route there is a 3 metre high metal ladder to descend next to the waterfall and you will need a dog harness to get your hound down if it is too big to carry. Note that the ladder is slippery so work as a team and pass the hound down between someone at the top of the ladder, someone in the middle and someone at the bottom. If your dog is the size of a small pony then you may need to make a diversion via Cal Pigot farm ruins at the waterfall.
I pack for wind and rain when doing this hike because it is in the pre-Pyrenees mountains.
I recommend 2-3 litres of water.
If doing this as a winter snow hike, I recommend crampons.
Address: Església de Sant Sadurní de Malanyeu, Malanyeu, La Nou de Berguedà. 8698
Take the C16 motorwat to Berga and about 15km forther north take an exit onto a winding road towards Malanyeu. I recommend parking here.
Malanyeu hamlet does not have any restaurants or bars so I recommend stopping at the Circs petrol station on the way there. Here you will find a typical roadside Spanish cafe called Els Portals de Cercs. This pertrol station is famous because of the cafe/restaurant which has a rear terrace overlooking the Panta de la Baells reservoir. This cafe has a large counter with home baked sweet and savory pastries which are the best you will find in this part of Catalonia.
Circular route via enchanting beach & oak forests to a ridgeline path with views of the high Pyrenees including Pedraforca plus secret waterfall desent path
Distance: 13.31 Km
Difficulty: Medium
Return Travel Fare: €25.00
Transport Network: Car
Mountain Forecast weather for
