Catllaràs Forest Winter Hiking in Secret Gaudí Town

About Catllaràs Forest Winter Hiking

Antoni Gaudí is most associated with the city of Barcelona, however, many of his works were funded by the Catalan Industrialist Eusebi Güell who built the Asland Cement factory in 1901 on the mountains above La pobla de Lillet. It was the first manufacturing complex with the purpose of producing cement from the natural resources of this part of the Bergedá region. Located at the head of the springs of the Llobregat river, the factory utilised limestone and coal from the Minas de el Catllaràs with hydraulic energy from the Llobregat River.

Antoni Gaudí, friend of Eusebi Güell, contributed some little known works to this town.

1. 1905 - Xalet del Catllaràs: A large wooden 3 storey cabin in El Bosc del Catllaràs forest that served as accommodation for the workers that dug the coal in the many scattered mines in these forested mountains. The cabin is typical Gaudí style with a catenary arched roof. The xallet was abandoned until being recently restored to it's original Gaudí design.
2. 1905-1906 - Jardins Artigas: A garden designed for walking with an established route in which several places of interest stand out. The Glorieta, located at the highest point and which acts as a viewpoint. the Cave, original location of the Fuente de la Magnesia, where Gaudí used catenary arches. The Cascada water fountain made with stones placed in the form of the typical Gaudí trencadís broken ceramic and stone decorated with vegetal motifs made with iron coated with cement. The snack bar, next to the Puente de los Arcos (which have male and female form). The figures in the form of coiled snakes located on the way to the Glorieta, also stand out.

The cement factory closed in 1975 and was partly demolished to extract the machinery to sell for scrap. What remains of the cement factory is today a museum, Museu del Ciment de Castellar de n'Hug. Linking the museum with the town is an 11km narrow gauge tourist railway, Tren del Ciment that was once the principle means of transporting the cement. The railway stops off at the Jardins Artigas on the way to the cement factory museum.

The Llobregat river passes through the centre of La Pobla de lillet which is a quant medieval town with many old buildings including the 18th century baroque temple, Església de Santa Maria, still preserving the old world charm. The town also has several stone medieval footbridges, (Pont Vell, Ponte de la Petita) crossing the river. Historically the town had several textile mills with machinery powered by the river.

Other notable attractions are the 16th century Monestir de Santa Maria de Lillet and Parc d'Aventures del Catllaràs.

Today, the principle industries of the town are the Agustí Barral paper mill, tourism and agriculture.

La Pobla de Lillet is a great place for a winter getaway or summer retreat. In the winter the forest is beautiful with its colours and is also a great place for snowshoe hiking and autumn mushroom foraging. In the summer the sweet fragrance of the pine forests that surround the Serra de Catllaràs ,a protected natural area, and the flowing water of the Llobregat river make it idyllic. Deer, wild horses and grouse live under pines and beach trees.

This blog is primarily about the Bosc de Catllaràs hiking route via Xalet del Catllaràs.

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Visiting Catllaràs Forest Winter Hiking

Bosc de Catllaràs hiking route

Starting from Casa de la Vila de la Pobla de Lillet take the Camí de l'Escorxador road until you see a telephone pole on the left marked with a red and white stripe. take this ascending footpath turning left then right and skirting a field with a helicopter pad.

At the top of the field with the heliport take a left and continue straight into Camí Ral de la Poble de Llilet a Falgars and follow this path ascending through forest past Roca de la Feradura del Caval de Sant Marc (1080m) along the Serra de Falgars and onto the Mirador Joan Casanova viewpoint that overlooks the valley of La pobla de Lillet.

A little further along this path you arrive at Santuari de Santa Maria de Falgars (1288m), a chapel and now hostel with elements dating from the 9th, 10th and 15th Century. From the Sanctuary back track and follow the road to a T-junction where you will see steps onto a footpath leading back into the forest. follow this path to Pla de Sant Critòfol and Camp de L'Ermita. pay attention to the GPS route because there are multiple forest trails.

After Collet del Llobatograve; (1628m) the path bears round to the left ansd passes protruding rocks such as Roca del Catllaràs (1689m), Roca del Cortel (1642m) passing Font Assedegosa, A natural spring with a wooden log to channel water. The ground may be a bit marshy around Font del Prat Gespedor. You also may find free grazing mountain horses in this area because of the natural springs.

Continue along the trail passing Roc del Joc de Pilota (1615m), and Roc de la Devessa Juvana. at Collet Fred keep an eye out for a short diversionary path signposted to Mirador del Roc de la Lluna. It is worth climbing the steps to this viewpoint because it is the best one on the route. Once back on the main path continue on to Xalet del Catllaràs. The recently restored Gaudí cabin.

From the Gaudí cabin continue following the route as indicated on to the rock summit that has Castell de Lillet ruins on top. The next wapoint is Rotonda Sant Miquel de Lillet and Santa Maria de la Pobla de Lillet. From here the path turns and descends back to the town of la pobla de lillet.

Bosc de Catllaràs hiking with a Dog

This route is mostly mixed forest of oaks, beaches and pines with occasional small mountain plains that may have free roaming horses and cattle. 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. The route is fine for a dog to traverse and the viewpoint has steps up to the top and railings.

Where to Eat in La Poble de Lillet

Between the road bridge and the stone footbridge Ponte de la Petita, you will find a few bars and restaurants on the main road.
1. La Borda de Lillet: restaurant
2. La Rosalía: bar
3. Cal Pericas Restaurant: on the oposite side of the river crossing Ponte de la Petita

The Museu del Ciment de Castellar de n'Hug has a bar called La Cantina Del Clot Del Moro that serves burgers and chips.

La Pobla de Lillet Seasonal Opening

1. Xalet del Catllaràs: Can be admired from the outside. The interior is still being refurbished and currently not open to the public.
2. Museu del Ciment de Castellar de n'Hug: Open from March through to November, tickets cost 6€ (Adults) or 4€ (children, retired, disabled).
3. Tren del Ciment: Circulates with the same opening hours as the Cement museum but consult the website to be sure. A return ticket cost between 4€ and 9€.
4. Jardins Artigas: Open all year round with hours varying according to the season. tickets cost 5&euro: (Adults) or 4.50€ (children and retired).
5. Monestir de Santa Maria de Lillet: Opening times are not published but can be obtained from the tourist information office in the town centre.
6. Parc d'Aventures del Catllaràs: Open from Late March through to end of September.

Getting to Catllaràs Forest Winter Hiking

Address: Caratera Santuari de Falgar s/n, La Pobla de Lillet. 08696

Take the C16 motorway to Berga and about 20km further north at Guardiola de Berguedás take the exit onto the B-402 and follow it for 8Km to La Pobla de Lillet. At the edge of town there is public parking.

I recommend stopping at the Circs petrol station on the C16. Here you will find a typical roadside Spanish cafe called Els Portals de Cercs. This petrol 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 savoury pastries which are the best you will find in this part of Catalonia.

Where to stay overnight in the La Pobla de Lillet