To Queralt via Sant Pere de Madrona

This route will give us to Queralt through Sant Pere de Madrona church that served the parish until the 19th century.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Description

From Plaça Sant Francesc take the PR C-73. On the uphill street on the right, you will see Cal Corneta. This edifice was built as a textile factory at the end of the 19 th century over the foundations of an old mill and was in operation until the 1950s. It is now used for housing.

You will later see the Andreu Ros factory. It forms the upper part of the row of houses (Pinsania quarter). Its beginnings date back to 1821 (the date of the deed), but there has been mention of mills (Boixader mills) from the 15 th century. This mill was mainly used for combing and spinning cotton. Industrial activity can still be seen in some of the lower parts.

When you reach number 16 of the street, you will see a face cut into the rock, this was the sign used at the end of the 19 th century and beginning of the 20 th century to indicate a brothel.

Just before you reach the Sant Llorenç road below, beside a pipe carrying what remains of the torrent after the drinking water is collected, you will see a structure that looks like a reinforcement of the wall of the road.

This is the remains of the aqueduct that carried water to the former Alon mill in front, which no longer exists as such and has been replaced by a house.

At the other side of the road you will see a plot with the remains of a building. This is all that remains of Cal Patata, an important textile factory that was burned down during the Civil War, during the retreat of 1939. There are documents from 1632 that mention the existence of a sawmill prior to the construction of the factory.

When you reach the road that leads to Sant Llorenç de Morunys, cross it and follow the paved path uphill. Very soon, you will have to turn off this path and continue along a track that goes to the left toward the Fumanya development. Cross through the development until you reach the road that leads to Queralt and Rasos de Peguera. After a few zigzags, turn off the shortcut onto a path with green and white markings on the right-hand side. This path leads through a small valley and leads to the pass located just below Sant Pere de Madrona. It's worth the climb to take the stairs that lead to the church.

Sant Pere de Madrona is a small Romanesque church that served the parish until the 19th century. From here you can enjoy a great panoramic view. At the pass below the church, you will find the same green and white markings that will lead you along the shady side to Queralt through a forest of pine and beech trees. When you go down the other side, you will notice that the vegetation has changed radically. Here the forest is made up of holm oaks and box-trees.

While you are at Queralt, you can visit the church, the Troballa cave and the belvederes. The views are quite impressive and, weather permitting, you can see paragliders flying in front of the ranges. There is also a spring to fill up your canteen. There is currently only a bar service, but there is an ambitious project to renovate the building to include a hotel and a new restaurant.

To return to Berga, follow the yellow and white waymarks of the PR C-73 until the end of the itinerary, in Sant Francesc square. It's well worth making the descent at your leisure to enjoy the panoramic views. There are some interesting views of L'Estret and of Hostal del Guiu, especially at the last ridge past the housing estate.