The 7 Most Amazing Peaks around Vilalba Sasserra

En Salvi Arenes i en Bosch, pagesos i propietaris dels boscos del Corredor, van promoure al 1523 la construcció d’una petita capella, dedicada a la Mare de Déu dels Socors, tot interpretant uns suggeridors senyals celestials. Se’n feu càrrec l’ermità Bernat Penitència. Al 1583, el frare Lleonard Claus va construir l’actual temple, d’estil gòtic tardà. S’hi celebren tres aplecs a l’any: dilluns de Pasqua (general), sant Marc (gent de Dosrius) i primer de maig (vot de poble de Canyamars). Font: XPN

Long before the current metal structure, this spot was already being used in the 19th century as a signal post, where forest rangers gave visual warnings from a wooden platform. It wasn't chosen solely for its height, but also because it's a place where the wind changes abruptly, which helps detect smoke from a great distance. In the 1970s, a rotating fiberglass cabin for continuous surveillance was tested there, but it was discarded because the wind moved it too much. An unassuming spot, but with a hidden history behind its forestry function.

Quite a quiet place to visit by bike or on foot. In my case I went up from Pineda de Mar passing through Hortsavinya. At the top of Turó Gros there is a watchtower with views of the entire area, if you go up on a cloudless day, it is more than worth going. The tower is abandoned and without a padlock. Quite a recommendable place! I will surely go up there again.

The Sanctuary has its origins in the 16th century and is in the late Gothic style. Since 1984 it has been run by the Auladell Perarnau family. Our location, very close to the top of the Corredor mountain range, allows us to enjoy an excellent landscape.

There are four slopes to climb Turó de l'Home. They all share the last 6 km, once you take the detour that takes you to the highest point of the Montseny massif. The slope marked in this section is the toughest (the one that starts in Sant Celoni and passes through Mosqueroles), with almost 25 km and 1,400 m of elevation gain. It is a very challenging pass that rivals the great Alpine passes. The second slope begins at a bridge over the Tordera River, past the villages of Santa Maria de Palautordera and Sant Esteve de Palautordera. This second slope joins the first in the village of Costa del Montseny, from where it is almost 15 km to the summit of Turó de l'Home. The third slope starts in Sant Celoni (like the first) and passes through the village of Campins. At Santa Fe del Montseny, take a detour to the left to Coll de Santa Helena, from where there is only a 1 km descent to the final detour to Turó de l'Home. The fourth slope starts in the province of Girona, specifically from Viladrau, crossing Coll de Gomarra, Coll de Bordiol, Sant Marçal, Santa Fe del Montseny, Coll de Santa Helena, and Turó de l'Home. This is undoubtedly the easiest slope, although its initial section has 2 km of 10% gradients. It is a completely different slope from the previous ones.

The Gros hill is not the highest of the mountain range, but it is close (764). The watchtower raises you about 20 meters higher and from the top you have views of 4 bands: 1> On the coast and sea of La Selva and Maresma, 2> In Barcelonès (Collserola can be seen on the horizon), Bages and Vallès (Montserrat), 3> In the Gironès (you can distinguish the Rocacorba with the antennas) and 4> In the massif of Montseny and the castle of Montsoriu. Getting here requires a lot of effort, but it's worth it! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Good views of Montseny. Good mountain bike descents.

Peaceful place, to have a good lunch and visit the emblematic Torrassa.