Fogars de Montclús is located on the southern face
of the Montseny mountain range in the region of the Vallès
Oriental, although its northernmost limits border the region
of La Selva, in the province of Girona. The town area of Fogars
de Montclús can be reached from the south via Sant
Celoni, taking the BV-5114 road which leads to Santa Fe del
Montseny. Four kilometres from Sant Celoni another road branches
off from this one, the BV-5119, which takes you into the municipality,
passing through Mosqueroles to La Costa del Montseny.
Access is also possible via Sant Esteve de Palautordera, taking
the BV-5301 to a tarmac road near km 13 which leads you to
La Costa del Montseny. From the north, access is possible
on the BV-5301 from Seva; or by taking the road which, on
leaving Viladrau and passing through Sant Marçal you
reach Santa Fe del Montseny. Within the municipality you can
go from west to east along the track which links La Costa
del Montseny, Fontmartina-Santa Fe del Montseny.
This area is a mountainous one, and goes from a height of
200 metres above sea level in the area of El Pertegás,
to 1,712 metres at El Turó de l'Home, the highest peak
of the Montseny region. Also noteworthy in the geography of
the region are, El Cim de les Agudes (1,706 m.), El Turó
Gros (1,651 m.), El Turó de Morou (1,307 m.), Els Esqueis
de Santa Helena (1,224 m.) and La Vall de Santa Fe (1,200
m.).
The area is irrigated by the waters of the river
of La Tordera together with the river of Ritronyes, while
to the east, El Sot de l'Infern, emerges at 1,440 metres above
sea level to form, the river of Ciuret far below, nearer the
town of Mosqueroles, it takes the name of El Rifer, finally
leaving the area of Fogars de Montclús at 200 metres
above sea level as a river of Pertegás.
The Hermitage of Santa-Fe
The natural beauty of the short river of Santa Fe is well
worth a visit, its pure waters fill the lake of Santa Fe,
to finally run into the dam (constructed in 1933) further
downriver. The result of this geography and the varied climate
which it brings with it is its varied plant life, such as
typical Mediterranean oak woods, together with cork oaks and
pine woods in the lower altitudes of the area, and higher
up, mountain oak woods and beech forests.
Fogars de Montclús has many restaurants, hotels, inns,
camp sites, recreation and camping areas, nature schools,
summer activity residences, Rural tourism houses, and the
central offices of the Natural Park of the Montseny, as well
as information centres where you can watch the audiovisual
displays of "The Four Seasons" and "Man and
Montseny". You can also find sign-posted routes for relaxing
walks among the diverse plant life of the area, and for those
keen on real country produce you can still find small farms
where you can buy chickens, rabbits, honey, potatoes, pulses
and other home- grown produce.
HERITAGE:
The Church of Sant Esteve de la Costa: located on La Costa
de Montseny; a 12th century Romanesque construction; the most
valuable piece is a Gothic image of La Mare de Déu
dels Àngels from the 14th century.
The Church of Santa Maria de l'Illa or Sant Roc: A 12th
century Romanesque construction.
The Church of Sant Martí de Mosqueroles: with pieces
of goldsmithry from the 16th and 17th century.
The Hermitage of Santa Magdalena: A Romanesque Church
from the 11th century.
The Church of Sant Cristòfol de Fogars: Romanesque.
The Hermitage of Santa Fe: documented in 1231.
Traditional Country Farms: There are many traditional
homes along the banks of the river Rifer, as well as those
farms which form part of the parish areas of Sant Cristòfol
de Fogars, and La Costa de Montseny.
Unique trees: One of the highest holly trees in Catalonia
(17metres in height) near the hermitage in the Valley of Santa
Fe, on the Plain of Morou. Enormous poplar boughs of 20.5
m in width, and the chestnut trees of La Traüna, 24.7
metres in height can also be observed.