PYRENEES ADVENTURE 2012 (Part 6)

Sunday 1 July 2012...continue...

Font de la Figuereta

After returning to Figols from our grocery shopping in Tremp, we sat down, read through some maps and enjoyed few slices of local Serrano Ham. This ham is known as a Spanish delicacy since the days of the Roman Empire. So, it is a must to try, whilst in Spain! It's got quite strong distinctive flavour and it's quite salty! I really loved the taste of it, yummy and Nero, well he would finish it all if he could! Even with the paper wrap.

Serrano Ham

driving through the town of Tremp

Font de la Figuereta can be found near the village of Sant Martí de Canals which belongs to the town of Cuenca de Dalt, Pallars Jussà. Located at 725 m. high., northeast of St. Martin of Channels. It is on the left bank of the ravine of San Martin, at the top of the ravine, at the beginning of the head, formed by the foothills of the Sierra Pessonada, northwest of Saint John. It took us around 30 minutes drive to get here from Figols, so it's not far at all. From looking at the map, it looks like there is just one path to get you around, but not being able to read much Spanish, I may be wrong. We've set of for a trek on a path called Sant Pere de les Maleses. The map reads that the path should be circular and takes around 2,5 hours. If we keep going ,and make as less stops as possible, we should be able to make it in 2 hours. I had to calculate it well, because it was almost 6.30pm local time, and let's face it, this is about perfect time for returning from hike, not the time to set off on one. No matter where you go, make sure you are down from the mountains way before sunset, unless you must make a camp overnight due to few days long ascent, mainly to high peaks that are not accessible on one day climb. 

Sant Pere de les Maleses


In the local parking, I changed over to my light hiking gear, filled my daypack with few bottles of water, from which one, I mixed with melon flavoured electrolyte powder. No that I was gonna need it, but after being on the road for almost 16 hours without any sleep, one never know, how the body gonna react, when I start walking. On this walk, I let Nero go without backpack and boots. I carried his water supply for him, instead. Weather was hot, but slowly you could see a bunch of grey clouds rolling in from the north. Mountains are always so unpredictable, and having many experiences with sudden weather changes, I quickly added waterproofs into my backpack. We've set off on a walk at 6.45pm. 

 fresh water refreshement at the parking lot

To get to the path from the parking, we had to cross the main road N260 to the other side, and then follow a sign for Font de la Figuereta. That took us on mountain off road. Straight from it's beggining the path slowly begun to climb uphill, taking us backwards along N260 for about 2km. On your left handside ,you could enjoy stunning views of the valley with its fast flowing river, steep hills covered with pines and a sheer cliff face. On your right, you got a view on vast slightly rocky hills covered by green dense bushes and trees, with huge cliffs of different shapes, stretching towards the sky. The entire land was dry as a bone, mainly covered in yellow coloured soil.

view to the left

view to the right

 After 2km there was a sign for Sant Pere de les Maleses. From here, the dirt road stopped and you had to slowly climb up, following a small path with mostly rocky terrain. As we carried on, I've noticed the grey clouds were now closing in above us. It started to drizzle and in few minutes the rain got heavier. I put on my waterproofs and we kept going. Suddenly,  thunder rumbled in very close distance. We stopped, waited for few seconds, and then we saw massive thunderlight wickedly flashed across the peaks.It felt like the earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the ravine shook. The storm was close, around 4km far and it was closing in, fast! There was no time to think, or time to hang around, we had to get down and quick! The last thing you want, is to be stranded on the mountains or woodlands during thunderstorm. If possible, always get yourself out into open space, away from mountain walls and trees. 
Luckily, we weren't so far in yet, but there were plenty of trees, surrounding us. I grabbed Nero and we ran! We made it back to the car just in time. The rain and wind both picked up on speed, and the thunder was  angrily rolling through the ravine. There was nothing else to do, but to stay in and wait....

Sant Pere de les Maleses

Off road before the turning of to a path  Sant Pere de les Maleses

To be continued.....