Pujada al Costabona per la Collada Fonda

Return

Itinerary 11: Climb to the Costabona through Collada Fonda

Flag

Route

02/10/2019

Index card

Introduction

Eastern Talaia of the Natural Park of Capçaleres del Ter and Freser

We offer you a relatively easy excursion, although it goes through high mountain ranges, where you can discover the values of the alpine landscape, while also capturing the geographical boundaries of the Natural Park of Capçaleres del Ter and Freser, which it preserves.

Download the route to use it in offline mode.

We recommend the Local Natura App to do this route. Download it for free here:

Typology

Anti-clockwise circular
Difficulty

Median
Duration

3 hours 45 minutes
Slope

659.00 meters

Distance

8.20 km
Theme

Landscaping
Activity

By foot
Rating

Slope graph

Description

Eastern Talaia of the Natural Park of Capçaleres del Ter and Freser

We start from the Collada Fonda, halfway between Espinavell and Setcases. We propose a direct climb, by the ridge to the top of the Costabona. Take it easy.

We will not pass either by the fountain of Fra Joan nor by the Costabona refuge, unless you want to go to and see them for some reason.

We will climb by the ridge very close to the spire, overcoming gentle rocks: Mercer's rocks, first, and Roca Blanca dels Soms, after, until reaching the summit.

If the day and weather allows you, you will enjoy great panoramic views that you can understand thanks to an orientation table that is on the top. You will see the limits of the Natural Park of Capçaleres del Ter and Freser; the track that you have climbed and the descent on the opposite side of the Fonda hill; the Crestes de Rojà, in the north-Catalan part of the county of Conflent, where grassland is still used for Catalan farmers from the southern slope, among others.

We will descend along plateaus with views to France to the Coll de Pal, where now, the direct descent begins towards the refuge of Jaume Ferrer overlooking Ripollès and Alta Garrotxa.

If you want, here is the turnoff to go to the Costabona refuge, but it does follow the route by any means.

The path can be lost when we cross a black pine forest, but just follow the track and rectify directions, if necessary. There are sstable populations of chamois throughout the Natural Park, and also in this area, so it will not be difficult for us to see one. We will stop by the pastures of the Alta de la Balmeta hill and from there to the refuge: Jaume Ferrer , where the views of the Fonda hill (where we have left the car) and the whole mountain that goes to Puig Sistra, at Setcases, passing through the green hill, are fantastic.

Tips

PATH

Download the route to use it in offline mode.

You are at the Natural Park of Capçaleres del Ter i del Freser.

We start at the Fonda hill, halfway between Espinavell and Setcases.

You have to look at the track or search for stone landmarks and GR paintings at the beginning and yellow in the central part of the route.

Going up you will find a detour to take the GR11 and go to the Costabona refuge. We continue straight up.

The first part to the top is a constant rise, by ridge, near a cliff.

WATER

Bring water from home.

CAUTION

You are in high mountains. You must be physically prepared.

Weather is variable and can change very quickly.

Do not bother the cattle and carry the dogs tied.

Do not leave junk. Do not scream.

Take food to recover at the top.

In winter it is only suitable for prepared hikers.

Start walking early in the morning. From midday fogs and storms are more frequent.

WEATHER

Sun protection is required: cap, goggles, and cream in summer.

The wind and the fog are very annoying.

Check the forecast before going up.

Weather is very variable and you can be surprised by sudden changes in weather. Always go prepared in anticipation.

LAND

High mountain: narrow paths, stone and grass.

It can be slippery if it is wet.

EQUIPMENT

Suitable clothing and footwear suitable for the time of year and the high mountains.

Trecking Sticks.

Binoculars and camera.

A nature guide to identify flora.

Topographic map if you like to identify nearby relays.

OTHER EQUIPMENTS

Once in the car, at Collada Fonda, you can take the descent from the opposite side to the one you have climbed up and visit the villages of the valley.

In the Jaume Ferrer shelter there are explanatory panels of N.P. Capçaleres del Ter and Freser.