Barranc de l'Infern

Highlights

  • • 6,873 hand-carved Moorish stone steps
  • • River Girona gorge with vertical limestone walls
  • • 14.5 km circular route through three mountain hamlets
  • • Cova Santa with stalactites accessible from the trail
  • • Known as Spain's Cathedral of Hiking

Description

The Barranc de l'Infern is a limestone gorge carved by the River Girona in the Vall de Laguar, known as the Cathedral of Hiking. The circular route PR-CV 147 covers 14.5 km and descends 6,873 hand-carved stone steps built by the Moriscos centuries ago to reach farming terraces on the gorge walls.

The itinerary passes through three mountain hamlets — Fleix, Campell and Benimaurell — with a cumulative elevation change of 800 metres. A detour leads to the Cova Santa, a cave with stalactites. Difficulty is medium-high: technically straightforward but very demanding due to the sheer number of steps and gradient. It is free, no booking needed, and best tackled in spring or autumn.

Key Information

Pricing

Free

Accessibility

Low

Kid-Friendly Pet-Friendly No Booking Required

Guide

Essential information for visiting Barranc de l'Infern

Location

How to get there

By carBy public transport

In this area

Vall de LaguarMunicipio
Practical Information
Pricing
Free
Features & Services
  • Accessibility:Low
  • Kid-Friendly:No
  • Pet-Friendly:No
  • Booking:No Booking Required
Planning Information

Visitor Tips

TEST tip

Historical Facts

El Barranc de l'Infern conserva un legado histórico significativo manifestado en su infraestructura de senderismo. El elemento más destacado son los 6.873 escalones tallados a mano por la población morisca hace siglos. Estas estructuras no fueron diseñadas originalmente para el turismo, sino como un medio funcional para acceder a los bancales de cultivo situados en las escarpadas paredes del barranco. Este sistema de escaleras permitía a los habitantes de la zona gestionar los recursos agrícolas en un terreno de orografía extremadamente compleja, integrando la actividad humana con la geología del cañón de caliza excavado por el río Girona.