Cinglo de les Esplugues

Cinglo de les Esplugues is a rock cliff rising above the abandoned hamlet of Les Esplugues, in the municipality of Castell de Mur, in the Pallars Jussà region of Catalonia, southwest of the village of Guàrdia de Noguera.

Where exactly is it?

The cliff stands in the southern part of the former Mur territory, close to the villages of Estorm and Moror (both part of the municipality of Sant Esteve de la Sarga). The hamlet of Les Esplugues, right beneath the rock face, sits at an elevation of 742 metres, at coordinates 42.085°N, 0.855°E. Until 1972 the area belonged administratively to the municipality of Mur, later absorbed into the enlarged municipality of Castell de Mur. The local LV-9124 road runs right at the base of the cliff, giving easy access to the area.

What will you find there?

At the foot of the cliff lie the ruins of Les Esplugues, a former hamlet built directly against the rock and partly carved into it. A 19th-century geographical dictionary recorded four houses here, arranged in two groups roughly 200 paces apart. The last inhabited house was known as Casa Feliçó, while the remains of another, Casa Sebastià, can still be seen today. A chapel dedicated to the Mare de Déu del Roser once stood on the site until it was completely destroyed by a rockslide. The stream known as the Grallera has its source right at the base of the cliff.

Why was the hamlet abandoned?

Rockfalls and landslides have long been a recurring hazard beneath the cliff, and it was this repeated instability that eventually drove the hamlet's inhabitants away. Today only scattered ruins remain among the rocks, with the cliff still towering over the empty site.

Where does the name come from?

"Esplugues" derives from the Latin word "speluncas," meaning caves or grottoes - a fitting name for a place defined by dwellings built into rock hollows at the base of the cliff.

How do you get there?

Cinglo de les Esplugues sits along the network of hiking routes linking Guàrdia de Noguera with nearby landmarks such as Castell de Guàrdia, the church of Sant Feliu, the Collmorter pass, and Castell de Mur with its church of Santa Maria de Mur. A circular walking route covering these points is a popular way to explore the area, with the cliff and the Les Esplugues ruins forming one of the stops along the way. By car, the site can be reached via the local LV-9124 road, which passes right at the base of the rock.

When to visit?

Given the rocky, sun-exposed terrain and the lack of tourist infrastructure, spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit, when temperatures are milder and the trails are not baked by summer heat. Sturdy walking shoes are recommended, as the ground is uneven, and visitors should stay cautious near the cliff face given the ongoing risk of rockfalls that have shaped this site for centuries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cinglo de les Esplugues? It is a rock cliff in the municipality of Castell de Mur, rising above the ruins of the abandoned hamlet of Les Esplugues, in the Pallars Jussà region.

Can you visit the ruins of the hamlet? Yes, the ruins of the former houses, including Casa Sebastià, still stand at the foot of the cliff, along with the remains of a chapel destroyed by a rockslide.

How do you get to Cinglo de les Esplugues? The nearest access road is the LV-9124, which runs at the base of the cliff; the site also lies along a circular hiking route connecting Guàrdia de Noguera and Castell de Mur.

Why was Les Esplugues abandoned? Because of repeated rockfalls and landslides, which eventually destroyed the local chapel and drove the hamlet's residents away.