Bosc del Gerdar: the easy hike through the most spectacular fir forest in the Pyrenees
The Bosc del Gerdar is a 1 to 2-hour walk among fir trees over 30 metres tall, moss and a hidden waterfall, a stone’s throw from the Port de la Bonaigua.
- Easy
- 3–5 km
- 1–2 h
- Great for families
- Best in autumn
- The Bosc del Gerdar is one of the largest silver fir forests in southern Europe, inside the Alt Pirineu Natural Park.
- The hike is easy, short and well signposted: 3–5 km and +100/200 m of elevation gain, as a loop or out and back.
- If you’re short on time, you can go just to the waterfall in 10–15 minutes.
- You get there via the Port de la Bonaigua road, between Esterri d’Àneu and the Val d’Aran.
- Distance3 – 5 km
- Elevation gain+100 / 200 m
- DifficultyEasy
- Duration1 h – 2 h
- Route typeLoop or linear
- SignpostingGood, easy to follow
What is the Bosc del Gerdar
The Bosc del Gerdar, also called the Selva del Gerdar, is one of the most impressive fir forests in Catalonia. It lies in the Vall d’Àneu, near the Port de la Bonaigua (Pallars Sobirà), and is part of the Alt Pirineu Natural Park, the largest protected natural area in Catalonia.
What’s more, it’s home to one of the largest concentrations of silver fir (Abies alba) in southern Europe. The result is a dense, damp and silent forest with an almost magical atmosphere: light filtering through giant treetops, a mossy floor and mist drifting between the trunks.
All of this makes it the perfect choice if you’re looking for an easy trail in the Pyrenees, without great physical demands, to do as a couple, with friends or with your family.
Waterfall, fir-lined trail and flowers: the Gerdar in three photos.
The Bosc del Gerdar hike, step by step
Right from the start, the route heads straight into the forest. Within minutes you’re surrounded by huge firs and the noise of the road disappears. It’s a wide, comfortable and well-signpostedforest trail that you can lengthen or shorten depending on the time you have.
- 1Car park and start0 min
Several trails leave the Port de la Bonaigua road and head straight into the forest, so leave the car in the car park by the road and follow the signs for the Gerdar.
- 2Into the fir forest5–10 min
Suddenly, within a few metres the landscape changes completely: dense forest, soft light and a floor of fir needles. This is where the best photos begin.
- 3Inner trail30–45 min
Next, the path continues with a few gentle slopes through damp, mossy sections. Meanwhile, the silence is total, broken only by the wind or an animal hidden among the trees.
- 4Forest clearings45–60 min
Further on, small open areas act as natural viewpoints. It’s a good place to stop, have a snack and take in the structure of the forest.
- 5Loop or linear return1–2 h in total
Finally, head back the same way or link up with other trails to close a small loop. Either way, navigation is easy, and the contrast as you leave the fir forest for the open landscape of the pass is beautiful.
The Gerdar’s wooden boardwalks: comfortable, peaceful and dog-friendly.
Bosc del Gerdar GPS track on Wikiloc
We’ve uploaded our track to Wikiloc so you can follow the route on your phone without getting lost: 4.16 km return, +118 m elevation gain, a maximum altitude of 1,705 m and easydifficulty. Download it before you go, because signal in the forest is patchy.
View and download the Bosc del Gerdar route on Wikiloc →
If you’re short on time or with small children, there’s a short access from the Port de la Bonaigua road itself that goes straight down to the waterfall, one of the prettiest spots in the Gerdar.
- Duration: 10–15 minutes
- Distance: less than 1 km
- Difficulty: easy, a gentle descent through the forest
- Start: small parking area beside the road
The Gerdar waterfall: the quickest reward of the hike.
Want more? Two longer hikes from the same car park
The Gerdar is the gateway to the Vall de Cabanes, and on the noticeboard at the car park you’ll see several signposted routes. Of them all, these two are the most worthwhile if you have half a day:
- Gerber Waterfall viewpoint
About 1 h 15 min one way and +180 m of elevation gain, almost flat until the final climb to the viewpoint. Low difficulty; best from May to October.
- Loop through the Plans de Breviari and the Bosc de la Mata
About 3 hours and +340 m, with a steeper climb. It passes through the Mata forest, the largest fir forest on the southern side of the Pyrenees. Best from June to October.
How to get to the Bosc del Gerdar and where to park
The most common access is via the Port de la Bonaigua road, which links the Pallars Sobirà with the Val d’Aran. From Esterri d’Àneu just follow the road towards the pass.
- Where to park: at the Callau car park, just past the Refugi del Gerdar, about 15 minutes’ drive from Esterri d’Àneu. All the signposted forest trails start here.
- No signal: coverage comes and goes in the forest, so download the track and offline map before leaving Esterri.
- In autumn, arrive early: it’s the busiest time.
- In winter: check the road conditions and bring snow gear.
Best time for the hike
It’s beautiful all year round, but each season changes the experience completely:
| Season | What it’s like | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| AutumnThe best | Golden and green tones with a stunning contrast. One of the best autumns in Catalonia. | Very busy: go early. |
| Winter | With snow it looks like a fairy-tale forest. | You may need snowshoes or crampons. Check the road. |
| Spring | Intense green, lots of moisture and moss. | Some sections can be muddy. |
| Summer | Shady, cool areas, ideal for escaping the heat. | A good option with kids. |
What to bring
- Hiking boots or shoes with good grip (there are damp sections)
- A warm layer: it’s cooler inside the forest
- Water and a snack for the clearings
- A rain jacket in autumn and spring
- Snowshoes or crampons if there’s snow
- A camera: the light among the firs is spectacular
Fun facts about this fir forest
- One of the largest fir forests in southern Europe
In fact, it’s home to one of the largest and best-preserved silver fir stands in Spain.
- Giant trees
Some of the firs easily exceed 30 metres in height.
- An enchanted-forest feel
The humidity and frequent mist give it that magical air that makes it unique.
- Shy but present wildlife
It’s also home to roe deer, wild boar and squirrels, although they’re not always easy to spot.
Autumn in the Gerdar: gold and green in the same photo.
The hike on video
This is what walking among the Gerdar firs is like: we filmed it on our visit and shared it on Instagram.
What to see nearby: the Vall d’Àneu and the Port de la Bonaigua
The Vall d’Àneu is perfect for a 1 or 2-day getaway combining nature, viewpoints and charming villages. These are our must-sees:
Port de la BonaiguaOne of the most beautiful mountain passes in the Pyrenees, with panoramic views and access to lots of hikes.
Esterri d’ÀneuThe best base to stay: stone houses, restaurants and a quiet mountain atmosphere.
Loop hike from Esterri to Jou →
Aigüestortes and Sant MauriciJust a few kilometres away, high-mountain lakes and hikes for all levels.
Hikes in Lleida →
More Pallars forestsIf you liked the Gerdar, the Bosc de Virós and the Vall d’Àssua are your next hikes.
Bosc de Virós → · Vall d’Àssua →
Want to plan the whole trip? You’ll find everything in our guides (in Spanish) to what to see in the Pallars Sobirà and hikes in the Pyrenees.
And if you fancy crossing into the Aragonese Pyrenees, don’t miss our guide to the 5 amazing places in Huesca: the Alquézar and Panticosa boardwalks, the Piedrafita arch, the Congosto de Entremón and the Ibón de Plan.
Where to eat near the Bosc del Gerdar
There’s nowhere to buy food on the hike, so bring water and a picnic for the forest clearings. For a hot meal, the easiest option is to drive down to Esterri d’Àneu (15 minutes) or the surrounding villages. These are the best-rated places in the area:
- Els Puis · Esterri d’Àneu
One of the best-reviewed restaurants in the valley, with seasonal Mediterranean cooking. It’s worth booking in high season.
- Restaurant Hotel Bruna · Esterri d’Àneu
Local produce and Mediterranean cooking; it’s also very convenient if you’re staying at the hotel.
- Braseria L’Esquella · Esterri d’Àneu
If you fancy grilled food, this is the place for meat cooked on a hot stone to refuel after the hike.
- Casa Pastora · Isil
Home cooking in a beautiful stone village a few minutes from Esterri. You can combine it with a visit to the Casa de l’Ós Bru bear centre.
- Bar Restaurant Felip · València d’Àneu
A small family restaurant in the last village before you drive up to the Gerdar, ideal for a meal on the way.
- Sherry Burger · Esterri d’Àneu
If you want something quick and cheap, their burgers are a safe bet, especially with kids.
And for breakfast or an afternoon snack, Granja l’Aneuenca, in Esterri, is a classic.
Where to stay for the hike
We recommend staying in Esterri d’Àneu: it has the widest choice of hotels, rural houses and restaurants in the valley, and it’s 15 minutes from the Gerdar and about 20 minutes from Espot, the gateway to Aigüestortes National Park. If you’d prefer somewhere quieter, València d’Àneu, Isil and Sorpe are small villages with rural houses. And if you want an early start in the forest, the Refugi del Gerdar is right next to the car park.
Activities and excursions in the Lleida Pyrenees
If you’d rather go with a guide or book tickets without queues, these are the top-rated Civitatis activities in the Lleida Pyrenees. Booking through our links helps us keep the blog going, at no extra cost to you.
Plan your trip to the Bosc del Gerdar
- Excursions and guided tours: book tours, tickets and free tours in the Catalan Pyrenees with Civitatis, with free cancellation on most activities.
- Car hire: the trailheads in the Pyrenees are only easy to reach by car, so compare prices on DiscoverCars and save up to 70%.
- To film the hike: we shoot all our mountain videos with an Insta360. Here’s our gear and discounts.
- Save when you book: with iGraal you get back part of what you spend on hotels, flights and rentals, plus a welcome bonus.
- Sports and outdoor clothing: jackets, caps and sunglasses for your hikes and trips from SIROKO. Use code VIAJEROS10 for an extra 10% off.
Frequently asked questions about the Bosc del Gerdar
How do you get to the Bosc del Gerdar?
Via the Port de la Bonaigua road, which links the Pallars Sobirà with the Val d’Aran. From Esterri d’Àneu head towards the pass: there’s a car park by the road, next to the Refugi del Gerdar.
Is the Bosc del Gerdar hike difficult?
No. It’s an easy 3 to 5 km hike with +100/200 m of elevation gain, well signposted and suitable for families.
How long does the hike take?
Between 1 and 2 hours, depending on the variant. If you only want to see the waterfall, it’s 10–15 minutes from the road.
When is the best time to go?
Autumn, for the golden colours. In winter it’s beautiful with snow, but you may need snowshoes or crampons.
Can you go with children?
Yes. It’s a short, comfortable trail, ideal as a first mountain hike. The waterfall option is perfect for little ones.
Can you bring your dog?
Yes. We went with ours. Keep it on a lead: it’s a wildlife area and it gets quite busy in high season.
Where to eat near the Bosc del Gerdar?
There are no facilities on the hike, so bring a picnic. For a meal, the easiest is Esterri d’Àneu (Els Puis, Hotel Bruna, Braseria L’Esquella) or València d’Àneu and Isil, a few minutes’ drive away.
Where to stay to visit the Gerdar?
Esterri d’Àneu is the best base: it’s 15 minutes away and has hotels, rural houses and restaurants. The Refugi del Gerdar is also right next to the car park.
Save this hike for your next Pyrenees getaway and tell us how it went on Instagram. We love seeing your Gerdar photos!
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