Discovering The Puigsacalm Loops
21st December 2024
Approaching Christmas always makes arranging an outing more difficult. Weekends are full of seasonal preparations and other commitments, but 3 of us managed to get away. An early start from Barcelona, a stop at the classic “4 Carreteres” for breakfast, and parked in Joanetes before 8am. Just before sunrise.
Joaquim, Francesc and I started out at 8am and enjoyed a clear but chilly start to the hill. The day’s walk had plenty of ascent (c.1,200m) and up we went.
Joaquim and Francesc
Enjoying the warmth of the early climb and the sun starting to peak through.
The path works its way up steadily through the trees and slowly but surely we head closer to the main wall. Every now and again we pause to enjoy the amazing early morning views …
After about 1 hour of pleasant climbing, we stare up at what seems to be the impossible climb. The sun shining wonderfully on an otherwise impenetrable rock wall. Nevertheless we knew there was a way up, we just had to “discover” it. What lay ahead was some scrambling, the need to use our hands, and for sure the need to concentrate!
So do you see the path? …
As we got closer to the wall, we started up what appeared to be a fairly direct route, but that was not our route for the day. Instead we headed down to our left and started a short traverse along the base of the wall. Finally we arrived at the start of the vertical section and sure enough some helpful chains, ropes, and metal “staples” in the rock provided the necessary assistance. Great fun!
This type of terrain keeps you concentrating. The physical effort becomes secondary to just focusing on finding the way, picking your hand-holds and deciding where to place your feet. The conditions were perfect.
Only once did we venture off the route and had to backtrack slightly. Fortunately the assistance of a few trees helped to secure the downward steps.
Finally we reach the level path and that gentle feeling of relief!
Soon after we stopped for some food and to enjoy the views.
Francesc - happy so far?
Well deserved sandwich
Having reached the higher level, the route then becomes more straight forward. One slight adjustment to find the path up to Puigsacalm and a couple of slightly “airy” traverses (always with the help of a chain or rope) and we were soon on the final climb to the top through a magnificent wooded section.
Puigsacalm appears to be a VERY popular peak to climb and as with our walk in May, plenty of people gather around the trig point, and some dogs, which is good! Francesc and Joaquim sociable as ever chat away with the others, and we enjoy a fabulous view of the Pyrenean ridge and the classic Pedraforca.
Then after another short break for a sandwich, we start the return loop.
A much more standard path, slightly less steep! and just a little ice that required some care. The wooded section for the descent is again quite beautiful and steadily we made our way down to the bottom and eventually after 6 hours in total we were back to the cars in Joanetes.
A wonderful route, with some fun, the need to concentrate, varied terrain, amazing views, and a good bit of exercise. Strongly recommended!
