Alcover, Alt Camp

About the place:

What do you think of looking for the waterfalls wich generated the power to make Alcover’s mills operate for centuries? Following the pipes that carry water from the river to the mills we enter the Valley of the Glorieta, a wooded area with some impressive trees such as an oak with small leaf which you can find halfway.  

Following the sound of the river, you will reach the water. You’ll have to cross the Glorieta River jumping from stone to stone to reach the ruins of the hydraulic central- that provided light to Alcover and the Selva del Camp until the forties, and enjoy the views over the waterfalls.

And if you are lucky and above all good observers, you’ll see hidden among the vegetation a rock in the form of an eagle. It is the famous "Eagle's Nest"

An itinerary to discover the industrial heritage of the mills in a fantastic natural environment. (see photos)

Direction tips:

The route starts at the parking area of the Forés farmhouse. To get there you must take the TV-7041 from Alcover to Montral. Just before leaving Alcover, in a curve, you must follow a path located in front of you (you will see an indicator of the Ca l'ermità restaurant). You must follow the path until you reach the shrine of Remei, a baroque style church built in the eighteenth century. Pass the church and take the paved trail to Mont-ral. Leave the entrance to Mas Forés II at your left hand and about 200 m further you will reach a parking area where you can leave your car.

To access the trail that takes you to the waterfalls, you should take the track that starts above the parking area. You will find a fence and a sign “forbidden for cars”. You should follow the yellow and white marks of the PR-C-20 and the signs in Mont-ral’s direction. 20 minutes later you will find a crossroad without any indication, here you must go straight on. In a minute and you will be crossing the river on a paved way. After about 150 meters and having passed a raft of water located on the right side you will find a small track which takes you down to the River. Here you can see the first waterfall and make a brief stop to rest. To continue you must return to the path. Forty minutes later (and about 1 hours from the start point), you will reach a door that indicates you are about to enter a private area. Normally the door is closed, but on the left you will find a trail where you can access the main track. 20 minutes later and just after passing a large esplanade you will have to cross the river (this time by jumping from stone to stone).

From this point the road is much narrower, and rises a lot. You will find a junction where you have to go straight on (following the white and yellow marks). In a few minutes you will be surrounding the hydraulic central through some stairs. When you reach the top, you must take a path just behind the arches which will take you down to a new esplanade. At this point you have left the PR-C-20. At the esplanade you will find a stick with some information. At both sides you will see a path. Choose the one you prfer, since both of them take to the same way. Once you reach a new open area, you will have to take to your left side a track full of stones that rises, until you arrive to an other esplanade. On your the left you’ll have a nice view on the Eagle's Nest. You will arrive here in about 1 hour and a half. To return, you must undo the road.

The best season:

winter, autumn, summer, spring

Lunch tips:

You have two recreational areas. Next to the  Remei Chapel there is an area with tables and a fountain. There is also a bar where you can have lunch. Around the Mas de Forés (starting point of the road) you will find a recreational area with tables and a playground area. If you prefer to enjoy a good meal of traditional Catalan cuisine at a restaurant with swings, go to Ca l'Ermità, a restaurant where the snails are still collected in the fields.

More info:

Difficulty: medium (especially the last track rises a lot)
Type: linear route
Distance: 3 km (two ways)
Duration: approx. 3 hours (without stops)
Accessibility: the itinerary passes through forest tracks available for mountain biking. Once you have crossed the river for the second time, the trail becomes narrower and rises. After this point it becomes impossible to take the bike.
Recommendations: Take enough water and good shoes. Take spare socks and shoes, since you can get wet by crossing the river.

Photo: © ExploraTgn.cat (see more photos)