Pedraforca Explained

Pedraforca
Elevation M:2506.4
Translation:Stone Pitchfork
Language:Catalan
Location:Berguedà, Catalonia
Range:Pyrenees
Coordinates:42.2369°N 1.6969°W
Easiest Route:Climb

Pedraforca (in Catalan; Valencian peðɾəˈfɔrkə/; pronounced as /es/) is a mountain in the Pre-Pyrenees, located in the comarca of Berguedà. The mountain's rare form, along with the fact that it is not visibly connected to any other adjacent mountains or ridges, has made it one of the most famous and emblematic mountains in Catalonia, the northeasternmost region of Spain.

Description

The mountain has a peculiar, forked shape composed of two parallel peaks (the pollegons) joined by a neck (the enforcadura). The loftier peak, called Pollegó superior, has an elevation of 2,506.4 m,[1] with a secondary peak, el Calderer, at 2,496.4 m in height. The lower peak, the Pollegó inferior is 2,444.8 m tall, while the Enforcaduras highest point lies at 2,356.2 m, with a scree field (tartera in Catalan) on both faces of the mountain.

Location

Located within the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park, Pedraforca has been declared a Natural Site of National Interest by the Generalitat de Catalunya.[2] The closest villages to Pedraforca are Gósol to the west and Saldes to the east. Pedraforca marks the boundary between the two municipalities, as well as between the provinces of Barcelona and Lleida.

Significance

Pedraforca is, along with the mountains of Montserrat and Canigó, one of the emblematic mountains of Catalonia. This fame has made Pedraforca a popular destination for hikers and rock climbers, as well as being used by the comarca of Berguedà in its coat of arms.

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.icc.cat/vissir2/ Mapa Topogràfic de Catalunya - Institut Cartogràfic de Catalunya
  2. http://mediambient.gencat.net/cat/el_medi/parcs_de_catalunya/cadi/pedraforca Pedraforca Massif Natural Park