THE DRAGON OF SAVERNEDA, TORNAFORT AND THE SIARB VALLEY
We set off from Sort, the capital of Pallars Sobirà, towards the Saverneda farmhouse crossroads. We ascend the picturesque Soriguera ravine to the rustic hamlet of Puiforniu, from where we reach the panoramic village of Tornafort. A pleasant descent, first through pastures, then through boxwood and Scots pine, and finally across an oak forest, takes us back to Saverneda. We finish the route near the Noguera Pallaresa river, heading towards Sort.
Walking to the village of Tornafort, a natural lookout point with privileged views in every direction, is a true gift for the senses. Beyond Tornafort, this route also allows us to discover and enjoy the lower part of the beautiful Siarb valley. On the way up, we ascend the shady Soriguera ravine, listening to the murmur of the water and enjoying the splendid riverside forests of the Cantó river. Then we descend through subalpine forests while listening to the call of the woodpecker. 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 attractions, you won't want the route to end!
The best part of the route:
Discover Tornafort, a unique village in the Pyrenees.
Climb up the dark and magical Soriguera ravine.
Enjoy the views of Montsent de Pallars during the descent from Tornafort.
The opportunity to hear and observe the black woodpecker in its natural habitat.
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Duration:
Full day.
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Total effective time (without stops):
4:30 h in total: 2:30 h from the starting point to Tornafort and 2:00 h to descend from this town to Sort passing by the Saverneda farmhouse.
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Cumulative elevation gain:
700 m
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Difficulty:
Remarkable. The route does not present any technical difficulties.
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Season:
All year round.
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Material:
Nothing special.
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Cartography:
High Pyrenees Natural Park. 1:50,000. Alpina Publishing.
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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.
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How to get there by car:
The starting point for the excursion is the Hotel Les 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.