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1 Routes around Solsona The surroundings of Solsona, called el Vinyet, preserve an old mosaic of forests, fields, farmhouses and stone walls. The group of suggested routes has a low level of difficulty and are suitable for the whole family, allowing spots of particular beauty to be discovered. The Olius crypt, the Miracle sanctuary or the St Bartomeu hill, are just some examples of destinations that the visitor can discover by walking in this area. The routes are bidirectional and can be done in one direction or in reverse. Mare de la Font park This park is a socializing point, very popular amongst locals because of the many picnic tables, barbecues and a large leisure area that is particularly good for children and the whole family. In this location there is an information point which allows you to identify the nature protected zones and the interesting sights recommended to see in the area. There is also a sign posted botanic route along the Font de la Mina's path, which allows observation of various types of plants and trees. Botanic route The Botanic Discovery walk along Font de la Mina is a popular leisure activity for nature lovers, as this spot is home to a great variety of animal and vegetable species. You will discover local riverside species, varied plant species as well as others such as pine or oak trees that are not as typical as river shore vegetation. This place is home to animals such as the robin, the heron, the blackbird, the nuthatch, he hedgehog and the badger among others. Walking is a healthy way to discover our historical, cultural and natural heritage. Let's enjoy it and always respect the environment and its particular properties. Tracks available at 1

2 Mare de la Font Castellvell Begin at the river starting point and follow the Pallarès Barranc to Mare de la Font park. This part of the route is particularly interesting from an ecological and landscape point of view and is accessible to anybody, it is also cyclable. Before reaching the restaurant, go up some steps to the tarmac road of the park and cross over to the information panels of protected nature areas in Solsonès. Go through the metallic tunnel and take a narrow path with a sign posted nature route, Itinerari Botànic. Go past Font del Manel, Manel's fountain to the Font de la Mina, Mine Fountain. It is located by a rock (the water cascades down creating a beautiful waterfall into a pool). On the other side of the mountain at a certain height, there is an entrance to the mine that gives the name to this fountain and park. Go up the stairs to the parc de la Mina sports circuit. Go in the opposite direction to the C-26 road and go deep into the forest along a path that leads from the right side at the end of the park. Follow the path in the forest up to the castle, ending on the tarmac road. Follow the road to the end. The Castellvell castle and its gardens all around are an impressive spot, allowing for magnificent views of the territory. Go down a pebbled path, that later on turns into steps and zig-zags down, allowing for contemplation of the municipalities of Solsona, Olius and Lladurs. Before reaching the end, cross the old road. Starting and ending point: (377466, ) (376590, ) Total time: 1h 20 min Total distance: 4,900 m Total accumulated height: 182 m Difficulty: medium-high; cyclable except for the steps going down the Castellvell castle, (the road or the BTT signs can be followed instead). 2

3 Pont de l'afrau L Afrau bridge Leave Solsona towards the Cabana del Geli neighbourhood. The first part of the route goes along the Negre river shore, passing the Corb fountain. Follow the GR 7.5 until you find the Cirera ravine with water running and take take the path on the left along the little stream until the l'afrau bridge. Most of the time you will be in the shade of ash as well as other types of trees. Ll'Afrau bridge is a monumental aqueduct measuring 27.5m high and 60m long. It dates back to the mid 18th century and was used to carry water from the village of Lladurs to the town of Solsona. Path in the forest near the Bridge Without crossing over the bridge, take the path to go back, cross the stream and follow the small path that goes up the opposite side. The return path is through the forest, and later on a tarmac road that goes from the Creu Blanca neighbourhood to Solsona. This route is suitable for all ages and particularly advisable on hot days. It gives you the opportunity to observe flora and fauna along the well preserved river shore. Starting and ending point: information sign of the routes around Solsona (377466, ) Total time: 2 h Total distance: 7,700 m Total accumulated height: 92 m Difficulty: medium-low (by bike, medium) 3

4 Basses de Brics i l Alsina - Ponds Alsina Miracle Start at the Sant Jordi roundabout and follow the path to torrent Ribalta. Continue along the river in a west direction as the sign indicates. After passing under the road, cross the ravine and follow the path to the south where you will find the white and red paint marks which indicate the GR-7 route. Cross the ravine and after crossing the C-451 road, cross the torrent d'aigüesvives. This is an interesting spot because it's the beginning of the stream and it goes to a replanted pine tree area that was burnt after the forest fire in Follow the road to the south heading for Brics. Before getting there, go down a path that leads to the Brics ponds. Follow the path in a southwest direction, first going up through the forest and then going down to the Alsina. Pass the house and continue down to the pond that is named after the house. These two ponds are quite a large wildlife sanctuary. They have the right conditions for the fauna to be able to drink. There are some fauna observation points to view the animals without being seen by them. There are also some wildlife information boards about both Alsina and Brics. The route continues to el Miracle, located at 4 km and takes about an hours walk. This part of the route has the marks of the GR. The Miracle sanctuary is an important place from an architectural and cultural point of view. It has a magnificent Barroque altar piece, an organ and a large square. It is an important place not only for the relevant architecture of the buildings but also for spiritual activities and great panoramic views that can be enjoyed from this spot. Starting and ending point: (376808, ) (376605, ) Total time: 2 h Total distance: 7,606 m Total accumulated height: 125 m Difficulty: low 4

5 Sant Esteve d Olius Olius romanesque church and modernist cemetery Begin at the river starting point and go along the left shore of the Negre river. At the first sign post, turn into Bòfia street and go up Drac street crossing the Sant Llorenc de Morunys road towards the cemetery. Once here, without crossing the road at the northwest corner of the cemetery, continue the route to the Sant Honorat chapel. Once on the main road, go along to the right, to the crossroad. The road on the left goes to the Cavall farmhouse but stay on the right and follow the GR signs painted in white and red. First go past the Plans d'olius farmhouse, further on the forest will be on the left. You will soon find yourself in the woods. Follow the GR marks along a path with big pieces of rock until you reach the Sant Esteve d'olius church. There is also a modernist cemetery as well as the Romanesque church. The cemetery was built by Bernardí Martorell i Puig, one of Gaudí's disciples. The church has a very important crypt that is very well preserved. Around the church, it is also possible to see some recently excavated holes where grain was stored during the Iberian times, before the Romans. (They worked as a pantry where food but mainly corn was kept). The final destination of the route is of natural, cultural and archaeological interest. Olius is located at a few metres from the Cardener river which is a particularly interesting spot because of the good preservation of the fluvial ecosystem. Here, the flora and the fauna typical from river habitats, can be observed. Starting and ending point: (377466, ) (381132, ) Total time: 1h 10 min Total distance: 4,960 m Total accumulated height: 125 m Difficulty: low (by BIKE medium) 5

6 Torre de Riner Riner tower Begin at the starting point of the river within the urban area, follow the Negre river along the right shore in a southwest direction, cross the Països Catalans avenue and over to the left shore of the river. You will reach a road that you must follow to the sewage plant, take the next left turn keeping alongside the river. Pass a house called Sastre and then continue by the river and cross it a couple of times. The path changes its orientation often, but do not walk far from the river Negre (always take the path closer to the river) until you pass a house called Teixidor, now cross the river for the last time. Go up a tarmac road that leads to the Riner tower not far from this point. Arriving at the Riner tower, you will observe that it has been minimally kept and it is possible to go up. Both the Riner tower as well as the Sant Martí parish church are ideal view points, to enjoy the Negre river and the Estany ravine. Following the path of the Estany ravine it is possible to reach the Miracle sanctuary. Starting and ending point: information sign of the routes around Solsona (377466, ) Riner tower (381014, ) Total time: 2 h 25 min Total distance: 10,000 m Total accumulated height: 88 m Difficulty: medium-low (by bike, medium) 6

7 Sant Bartomeu Begin at the river starting point and after crossing the LV- 4241b (leaving the Cabana del Geli neighbourhood) find a path on the left that goes up a little street with stairs. Going straight on, head for Sant Bartomeu hill. A few metres after the beginning of the path, take another one with fields and farmhouses on both sides that create the peculiar landscape of this area. Further on, take a narrow steep path that goes up next to the house Mas ben Serè. At the top cross a little wood and upon exiting, pass a house on the right and take a narrow rocky path on the left. Continue up until the summit is reached. Little by little you will discover interesting panorama views of Solsona and the southern part of the Solsonès region. At the top there is the Sant Bartomeu cave, it is a small soil cavity surrounded by stone blocks of large dimensions. Begin the descent at the highest place of the summit, behind the cave. Cross the woods until you reach a forest track. Leave this one, to take another that goes down on the left to a meadow. Continue down until you get to a path, which will lead to the Catalonia Forestry technological centre (CTFC) tarmac road. Go past the car park. Then take the road to the left and find the path where the route started, follow it back to the beginning. Starting and ending point: (377466, ) Total time: 1 h 45 min Total distance: 6,500 m Total accumulated height: 211 m Difficulty: medium-low 7

8 Torrent Ribalta The name of this route tells us that it follows the torrent Ribalta stream. The route is flat without any technical difficulties, with little bridges and tunnels that make the route easier. Begin at the river starting point within the urban area and follow the Negre river on the right shore in a south west direction, cross the Avenue Paisos Catalans and continue on the left shore. Once at a wide track, follow until arriving at the sewage plant. Then, take the flat path on the right, continue along always keeping the torrent Ribalta on the right; go through a tunnel and following the signs until you see a house called Cal Llucianet, pass by a farm and the path will lead to Sant Jordi Square. The proximity to the stream during the walk will enable us to find points of interest from an ecological point of view like river side vegetation (with ash trees recently planted) and some interesting willows. We will also have a chance to observe the fauna or signs of its presence. This route is particularly suited to elderly people and children Starting and ending point: (377466, ) - (376808, ) Total time: 55 min Total distance: 3,800 m Total accumulated height: 57 m Difficulty: low 8