Balma dels Debanadors

Balma dels Debanadors is a small rock shelter in the municipality of Mura, tucked into the southern flank of the Serra de l'Obac, within the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac Natural Park. It's the kind of spot that's easy to miss on a map, yet for centuries it gave people passing through a place to escape rain and wind.

Where exactly is it?

The shelter sits at the head of the Sot de l'Infern, on the western rock face of Coma d'en Vila, right below the old path leading to Mura — a route locals once used to travel between the surrounding villages. The whole area belongs to the Sant Llorenç del Munt massif, on the border between the Bages and Vallès regions, in a landscape typical of the range: limestone walls, deep erosion gullies, and sparse Mediterranean scrub.

What does the shelter actually look like?

The Balma is about 23 metres wide, with height that varies from point to point — low enough in places that you'd need to duck, taller further inside. On the left side there's a small levelled area of roughly 7 square metres, most likely the remains of a makeshift shelter someone built here in the past. Deeper inside, a basin carved into the rock catches water from a spring known as the Font del Rossinyol. The spring only really flows after rain — in dry months it typically dries up, so it's not a reliable water source if you're planning to rely on it during a hike.

Because of its geological features, the site has been listed since 2000 in Catalonia's Inventory of Geological Interest Sites (Inventari d'Espais d'Interès Geològic), as part of the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac geozone.

What's the history behind it?

The name of the shelter has shifted over the centuries. In medieval times it was known as Espluga dels Venedors; only later did the name "dels Debanadors" — the one used today — take hold. The site also turns up in historical records, including a 1717 sale deed, which suggests locals had long known and made use of the place, most likely as shelter for shepherds and charcoal burners working the surrounding woods.

The most dramatic episode in the shelter's history dates to 1590. On the 9th of November that year, a farmhand from the nearby Mata-rodona farm came across the body of a murdered man inside the shelter — the victim had suffered two heavy blows to the skull and two stab wounds to the neck. The story still gets mentioned by people writing about this stretch of the Sant Llorenç del Munt trails.

Who should visit?

Balma dels Debanadors works best as a stop for hikers already covering the Sant Llorenç del Munt massif who want to see more than just the main peaks and the monastery at the top. It particularly suits anyone interested in local geology and history, or simply in the park's quieter corners — this isn't a site built for crowds, but a destination for people looking for a bit of solitude and raw landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a balma and a cave? A balma is a rock overhang or shallow shelter open on one side, unlike a true cave, which forms an enclosed, deeper underground space.

Does the Font del Rossinyol spring always have water? No. It's fed by water seeping through the rock and mainly flows during rainy periods; in dry months it usually dries up completely.

Where is the shelter located relative to Mura? It sits on the southern slope of the Serra de l'Obac, next to the old path connecting the area to Mura, inside the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac Natural Park.

Does the site have any protected status? Yes — since 2000 it has been listed in Catalonia's inventory of geologically significant sites, as part of the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac geozone.