Pedraforca
Pedraforca 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 Spain.
Pedraforca | |
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The name of Pedraforca alludes to its forked shape | |
Highest point | |
Elevation | 2,506.4 m (8,223 ft) |
Prominence | 654 m (2,146 ft) |
Isolation | 5.2 km (3.2 mi) to Comabona |
Coordinates | 42°14′13″N 1°41′49″E |
Naming | |
English translation | Stone Pitchfork |
Language of name | Catalan |
Geography | |
Location | Berguedà, Catalonia |
Parent range | Pyrenees |
Climbing | |
Easiest route | Climb |
Description
The mountain has a peculiar shape, composed of two parallel ridges (the pollegons) joined by a neck (the Enforcadura). The upper ridge, named Pollegó Superior, has an elevation of 2,506.4 m[1] while the secondary peak, el Calderer is 2,496.4 m high. The ridge below, Pollegó Inferior is 2,444.8 m tall, while Enforcadura's highest point lies at 2,356.2 m.
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.