TOPO Via ferrata | CLIMBING7.COM

Balsams Corcades, Centelles

Publié le 18 July 2009 | Catalunya Eng, Spain

Located just over an hour north of Barcelona, this is a difficult ferrata, with overhanging sections (notably the length of the Espero) and exposed sections (the 70m Nepalese bridge). The equipment is impeccable and very (too?) secure in places, making the via very artificial, in comparison with other vias ferratas whose logic of progression is more natural (e.g. Teresina). A signposted hiking trail follows and crosses the ferrata on several occasions, providing convenient exit routes or shortcuts for those who wish to avoid certain passages. Everything is well signposted and marked along the way.

Technical summary

Type ✦ Via ferrata
Location ✦ Centelles
Region ✦ Catalunya
Country ✦ Spain
Vertical rise ✦ 330m
Length ✦ 800m
Difficulty ✦ K4
Duration ✦ 2h30 to 3h

Access to the place

Via the village of Centelles, on the Barcelona-Vic-Ripoll axis, in the direction of Puigcerda-Bourg-Madame. By train from Barcelona Sants, head for Ripoll-Vic, stopping at Centelles station (not the one before San Martin de Centelles).

Map & topo

Itinerary description

Hiking to the start 15'

Above the village, you can see a cliff and a puig (peak) with a Catalan flag. Climb up to the right of this cliff, past a summer camp center (casa de colonies), where the start is indicated on a large sign with a map of paths and tracks. Alternatively, you can get there by car and park in the parking lot at the start of the paths. From here, follow the red and yellow signs to reach the foot of the path in 15 minutes.

Course 2h à 2h30

The south-facing via ferrata climbs 330m up Puig Sagardi. Generously equipped (rungs + ladders), the route is perfectly signposted. Beware of traffic jams. Leave very early or at the end of the day to avoid waiting, especially at the 70m suspension point.

1st sector

"El Quicarell" is aerial, with two vertical walls to climb. Then a short passage through the forest leads to the second sector, the Nepalese bridge and the long traverse.

2nd sector

The approach to the Nepalese bridge is quite tricky, with a slight overhang as you cross. Next, the famous suspension bridge, which we cross one by one, is impressive for its length (70m) and above all its buoyancy in the middle third. As the progression is sideways (crab-like), the sensations in the center of the bridge are guaranteed! Fortunately, there's an easy passage under the bridge to get around it. The path then continues in an interminable crossing in the hollow of a sort of open tunnel. This is an easy and pleasant section, with an almost certain encounter with the local billy goat, who seems to be at home here.

3rd sector

Arriving at the foot of the waterfall after a 15-minute walk on a forest path: this is the Espero area. The section is advertised as "molt dificil". A series of vertical grapnels and a length of around twenty meters that is both intensive and physical. As the wall is slightly overhanging, you soon feel that your arms are being pulled. Here too, this difficult section can be avoided by turning left (path indicated). You then reach the first plateau overlooking Centelles.

4th sector

After a refreshing walk through the forest, you soon spot the traditional Catalan banner announcing the summit of Puigsagordi (972m). The approach is pleasant. A series of normally spaced vertical grapples to recover on a ladder that's fun and not difficult to traverse, albeit exposed. Then to finish, two small overhangs close to each other requiring fairly physical recovery.