Campdevànol is a small town in the Ripollés region of the Catalan Pre-Pyrenees mountains. Campdevànol is surrounded by forests and is famous for its 14km EASY-MEDIUM circular hiking route via 7 waterfalls, known locally as Las 7 Gorges de Campdevànol or La ruta dels gorgs de Cabana.
At Gorg Del Colomer, there is a small café, normally open on weekends during the summer.
In the summer months between 10th of June and 30th of September, a 5-Euro fee entry fee is charged at a cabin at the entrance to the 7 waterfalls walking route and you are given a wrist band. This is to protect the environment by limiting the number of people attending to 600 per day.
NOTE: During this summer period the park is patrolled by security/park rangers and there are strict rules. It is prohibited to smoke, have a campfire, cook food on gas stoves or campfires, dive into the waterfalls from the top, have picnic outside of the designated areas and walk dogs off leash. However, it is allowed to swim in the waterfalls.
this route can be done as a summer route with wild flowers in the meadows and warm(ish) water in the pools of the waterfalls which is a great place for swimming. Equally. I have done this route in winter and it is still a nice hike with the forest, waterfalls and green pastures.
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Starting from Campdevànol Adif/Renfe train station head North along the platform and exit into the road. Turn left and cross the tracks via the level crossing and follow the GI-401 road via the pavement passing the town and taking a narrow country lane on the left. Follow the road passing through farm fields and passing a rural farm house on the right. After passing through a gate the trail is parallel to El Merdás river where you will pass a picnic area and a milling stone next to a natural drinking fountain.
At the end of this lane follow it round to the right and back up to the footpath alongside the GI-401 road. This path leads down to a concrete ford across El Merdás river and arriving at a large picnic and barbecue area next to the Gorges pay parking area. Keep following the path past the metal footbridge staying parallel to the river and after about 300m the path reaches a junction marked by a single tree. Turn left here and follow this road up into the forest for 1.2 kilometres passing the pay entry cabin.
Take the descending forested footpath down to the first waterfall called Gorg de la Cabana. From this waterfall continue taking a footpath through the forest next to the river to the next waterfall of El gorg de La Tosca. The route is fairly simple from here following the footpaths next to the river stopping off at each waterfall. After El Gorg del Petit Colomer the trail continues on to a mountain picnic area next to the cafeteria.
After the cafeteria the path drops down to the last and largest waterfall called El Gorg de Colomer. here the route ascends up to a footpath that takes a forested and farmland route back to the picnic and parking area. Alternatively you can decide to do the long route from here returning via Ripoll Renfe train station if you are a frequent hiker.
For this that are doing the short route, at the last waterfall take the ascending footpath up to the level gravel path and turn left following the trail and take the right fork. After a few kilometres the forest opens up to a mountain plain with a farmhouse and the trail continues along a rural gravel farm road until a right turn is needed onto a footpath that snakes round the edge of the mountain plain next to the tree line of the forest.
Along the tree line there is stile that you can use to cross a wooden fence and enter a path into the forest that descends back down to the picnic and barbecue area. Cross the river via the metal footbridge and return to the station via the same path that you took at the start of the route.
TIME: Allow 6-8 hours to complete this route depending on how much time is spent swimming.
Near the start of the short and extended routes is Camping Pirinenc or Mas La Riera de Campdevànol holiday home. If you are spending the weekend in Campdevànol, I recommend Estiul Aventura Zip Line Park as the second day activity.
For more of a challenge for frequent hikers, there is an extended version of this hike with a distance of 20Km, returning via Ripoll and passing more waterfalls. The extended 20Km version of this hike passes via El Mir Rural Hotel, Mas el Mir near to Ripoll.
This is a medium walking route. I always do it with a small rucksack of the essentials and first aid kit. Emergency waterproof jacket is optional depending on the weather forecast.
As it is permitted to swim in the waterfalls I take a lightweight towel and some wet shoes. There is a cafeteria at the last waterfall that is usually open Saturday's and Sunday's However it has been closed on some occasions that I have visited so I recommend 1 to 2 litres of water and not to drink from the river.
I also strongly recommend taking neoprene swimming shoes, Escarpines, for swimming in the waterfalls to protect feet from stones in the water. Escarpines cost about 6 euros in Decathlon.
Address: Estacio de RENFE, Campdevànol. 17530
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A circular route via a river valley with 7 waterfalls - La Cabana, La Tosca, L'Olla, La Bauna, Del Forat, El Petit Colomer and El Gran Colomer. Return via Gausacs Farm.
Distance: 13.34 Km
Difficulty: Moderate
Return Travel Fare: €18.20
Transport Network: Rodalies
A linear route from campdevanol via a river valley with 7 waterfalls - La Cabana, La Tosca, L'Olla, La Bauna, Del Forat, El Petit Colomer and El Gran Colomer. Return via Ripoll.
Distance: 20.68 Km
Difficulty: Moderate
Return Travel Fare: €18.20
Transport Network: Rodalies
