Sant Quirze de Besora - Bellmunt - Torelló (avoiding Castell de Torelló)

Sant Quirze de Besora - Bellmunt - Torelló (avoiding Sant Pere de Torelló and Castell de Torelló)

A copy of many of the routes to do by taking the train to Sant Quirze de Besora and then back from Torelló via the Santuari de Bellmunt -- such as this one - please reference for further details:

https://es.wikiloc.com/rutas-senderismo/16-senderisme-en-tren-de-sant-quirze-de-besora-r3-a-torello-r3-pel-santuari-de-bellmunt-100-cims-2934918#wp-25900548

Importantly this route AVOIDS the Castell de Torelló as we were rushing for the train. Could be useful for those looking to shorten the route. A moderate difficulty for the length with numerous uphill sections but the terrain is relatively easy and it offers some of the best views reachable by train.

Route starts a little onwards from the train station in Sant Quirze de Besora. There's a cafe in the square between the station and the beginning of the route if you need to pick up a sandwich or water.

Heads south, past a small industrial estate and begin climbing steadily up the ridge along the red-and-white marked path of the GR3, enjoying views opposite to the Castell de Besora and the mountains behind, as well as back down the valleys. Route comes up relatively easily through woods with occasional rocky sections, arriving at the Collet de Bosquetell. Head past the ruins of the old farmhouse along the obvious track until you come to the signpost sending you to the right, clearly marked for the Santuari de Bellmunt.

A short pleasant section across some meadows and then up again through some trees will bring you almost directly facing the Santuari across the gap between the two ridges. Good time to have a snack and a rest before coming down the gap and then climbing steeply up the other side through the woods before hitting the Santuari de Bellmunt with its panorama looking towards the Pyrenees on one side and down towards Torelló on the other. There's a fountain to refill water here, as well as the restaurant and small church.

Then head along the ridge of the Serra Grenyada (from the Santuari, facing the large cross the path is on the right hand side). The path here is not always very clear but is marked and basically just goes along the top of the ridge. Eventually there is a sharp double back sending you decisively down toward Torelló. Slightly steep descent in parts along the side of the ridge before rising again and sending you on the line of hills clearly ahead with the Castell de Torelló at the end.

Here if you are pressed for time or tired it looks like there is a route that goes left along the rocks and would take you down to the road on the left of the hills and would lead you into Torelló but I can't guarantee that. Instead we headed along the hills, which offer good views onto the valley but the path is frustratingly narrow and goes up and down a lot. There is one small part of this route where we missed the path through the bushes and had to double back slightly.

Finally, coming along the last part of the hills towards the Castell de Torelló we took a small path to the left marked for the Font de Nogueres in order to avoid another climb. If you wish to go to the castle, please consult the route linked above. Our path took us down into the suburb of Sant Vincenc de Torelló and then around half an hour walk through Torelló itself to the train station