ROUTE FROM SORT
THE DRAGON OF SAVERNEDA, TORNAFORT AND THE SIARB VALLEY
We leave Sort, the capital of Pallars Sobirà, towards the crossroads of the Saverneda farmhouse. We ascend the picturesque Soriguera ravine to the rustic hamlet of Puiforniu, from where we reach the panoramic town of Tornafort. A pleasant descent—first through pastures, then between boxwood and Scots pine, and finally through an oak grove—brings us back to Saverneda. We finish the route near the Noguera Pallaresa River, heading towards Sort.
Walking to the village of Tornafort, a natural vantage point with privileged views in all directions, is an extraordinary gift for the senses. But beyond Tornafort, this route also allows us to discover and enjoy the lower reaches of the beautiful Siarb Valley. On the way there, we climb the shady Soriguera ravine, listening to the murmur of the water and enjoying the splendid riparian forests of the Cantó River. Afterward, we walk down through subalpine forests while listening to the song of the woodpecker. Once at the bottom of the valley, on the way to Sort, we can amuse ourselves by searching for dippers in the wild waters of the Noguera Pallaresa River. With so many distractions and attractions, we'll never want to reach Sort!
THE BEST OF THE ROUTE
• Visit Tornafort, a unique village in the Pyrenees.
• Climb the dark and magical Soriguera ravine.
• The good views of Montsent de Pallars descending from Tornafort.
• The possibility of hearing and seeing the black woodpecker.
Walking to the village of Tornafort, a natural vantage point with privileged views in all directions, is an extraordinary gift for the senses. But beyond Tornafort, this route also allows us to discover and enjoy the lower reaches of the beautiful Siarb Valley. On the way there, we climb the shady Soriguera ravine, listening to the murmur of the water and enjoying the splendid riparian forests of the Cantó River. Afterward, we walk down through subalpine forests while listening to the song of the woodpecker. Once at the bottom of the valley, on the way to Sort, we can amuse ourselves by searching for dippers in the wild waters of the Noguera Pallaresa River. With so many distractions and attractions, we'll never want to reach Sort!
THE BEST OF THE ROUTE
• Visit Tornafort, a unique village in the Pyrenees.
• Climb the dark and magical Soriguera ravine.
• The good views of Montsent de Pallars descending from Tornafort.
• The possibility of hearing and seeing the black woodpecker.
Difficulty: Remarkable
Departure/arrival: Sort - Hotel Les Brases
Total time: 4:30h
Minimum altitude: 672 m
Maximum altitude: 1,289 m
Cumulative elevation gain: 700m
Total distance: 18.5km
Nearest town: Sort
• Duration: Full day.
• Total effective time (without stops): 4:30h in total: 2:30h from the starting point to Tornafort and 2:00h to descend from this town to Sort passing by the Saverneda farmhouse.
• Cumulative elevation gain: 700m
• Difficulty: Remarkable. The route does not present any technical difficulties.
• Season: All year round.
• Material: Nothing special.
• Cartography: High Pyrenees Natural Park. 1:50,000. Alpina Publishing.
• Notes: If you do this route in winter, you should be well equipped for the cold: the shady areas are often frozen almost all day, especially in the Soriguera ravine section. Pay special attention to the wooden bridges you cross; they may be slippery. Pay attention to your orientation; path changes are frequent. For the more adventurous, there is the option of extending the hike by climbing to Tossal de Puial, a panoramic peak at 1,914 m that offers even more expansive views of the entire area. If you want to make this climb, add 3 hours to the time described. The path to climb Tossal de Puial departs from the village of Tornafort.
• How to get there by car:
The starting point for the excursion is the Hotel Restaurant Las Brases in Sort. We arrive in Sort via the C-13 highway. Hotel Les Brases is located on the C-13 highway, just off the northern exit from the town. There is plenty of free parking in front of the hotel.
• Total effective time (without stops): 4:30h in total: 2:30h from the starting point to Tornafort and 2:00h to descend from this town to Sort passing by the Saverneda farmhouse.
• Cumulative elevation gain: 700m
• Difficulty: Remarkable. The route does not present any technical difficulties.
• Season: All year round.
• Material: Nothing special.
• Cartography: High Pyrenees Natural Park. 1:50,000. Alpina Publishing.
• Notes: If you do this route in winter, you should be well equipped for the cold: the shady areas are often frozen almost all day, especially in the Soriguera ravine section. Pay special attention to the wooden bridges you cross; they may be slippery. Pay attention to your orientation; path changes are frequent. For the more adventurous, there is the option of extending the hike by climbing to Tossal de Puial, a panoramic peak at 1,914 m that offers even more expansive views of the entire area. If you want to make this climb, add 3 hours to the time described. The path to climb Tossal de Puial departs from the village of Tornafort.
• How to get there by car:
The starting point for the excursion is the Hotel Restaurant Las Brases in Sort. We arrive in Sort via the C-13 highway. Hotel Les Brases is located on the C-13 highway, just off the northern exit from the town. There is plenty of free parking in front of the hotel.