Top 4 Castles around Alta Garrotxa-Massís de les Salines

Des del poblet s hi accedeix en menys de 20 minuts passejant entre vaques i vedells. Un cop dalt, tot i estar força derruit, és molt més gran delnque sembla i les estances es diferencíen fàcilment.

At the eastern end of the Pyrenees, the current border between France and Spain has its main road crossing point between the French department of the Pyrenees-Orientales and the province of Girona in the Pertús Pass. However, in Antiquity (and until the 17th century) access was a little further south of the municipal area, through the Port of Panissars, which today is a relatively wild and isolated place separated from the Pertús pass by a hill in the where the fort or castle of Ballaguarda stands, built in the 17th century. In the Port of Panissars, at about 340 meters above sea level, there are the ruins of the old priory and the Benedictine hospital of Saint Mary. Among them are the remains of an older monument erected in 71 BC, the Trophy of Pompey.

Panissars was a small village in Antiquity. Today only a few vestiges remain. If the site retains such strong historical interest, it is because General Pompey had his trophy built there, to bring to posterity his victory over the Iberians. Getting there also means going to the old border between Gaul and Hispania.

This 998m peak, in the same way as in the case of Castell d'Arget, its strategic situation was very suitable for building a watchtower; it is said that this was a construction prior to the 10th century since "Rocha Graiaria" is mentioned in 954; in 1531 it was registered within the vegueria of Besalú, Between the 17th and 18th centuries this point is mentioned as the border between the terms of the Vilars and the Comú de la Vila. According to 19th century farmers, there were more vestiges than have been documented. I'm sure it communicated with that of Arget and that of the nearby Puig Falcó. Attention! if we attack the wall directly we will find a very vertical and dangerous section, equipped with chains in the most difficult places. It is necessary to take extreme precautions. If we are not in the mood to climb, or if the weather is bad, it is recommended to use the alternative path that leaves on the left around the rock on its north side and joins on its E side, from where we easily reach the top.

The Castell de Rocabruna, located at an altitude of 995 metres, is a fortification of which only a few ruins remain today. The castle was formed by a double wall and, in its day, was one of the most important in the area. There are many legends related to the castle and to discover them, you will have to climb to the top of the hill.

This little excursion is definitely well suited for a hike with a dog and is very easy to walk on, lots of peace and quiet and a great panorama 👍

The Castillo de Rocabruna is located in the Rocabruna neighborhood, which is part of the municipality of Camprodón, between the urban nucleus of Camprodón and the neighboring town of Beget. Specifically, the castle dominates a hill surrounded by cliffs, the Tossal del Castillo, and its altitude (995 m.) Offers the visitor very interesting views over the Pyrenees and Alta Garrocha. Its origins date back to the 10th century (there is documentation from 1070), and it is currently abandoned. It seems that the name of the castle comes from the color of the ground and the surrounding stones (and those that are part of the walls), which is very blackened or brown. Access to the castle is quite difficult, since the hill is completely surrounded by forest, it is only possible to get there through a half-abandoned path that rises from the base of the mountain, and that passes by the houses of the Villa and Ca l'Arnet. The GR-11 path runs below the mountain, in its section Molló - Beget.

Impressive view. Easy to walk from La Vajol BUT watch out for the goat, it wants tolls. 😂🤣