Corrals de Sallants – Abandoned Shepherd Enclosures near Tremp

Corrals de Sallants is a group of former livestock enclosures in the municipality of Tremp, in the Pallars Jussà region of Catalonia, Spain. The site sits within the area of the former municipality of Espluga de Serra, on the south-facing slope of the Serra de Sant Gervàs range, just below the Sant Gervàs hermitage.

What Is This Place?

The site consists of five stone corrals originally built for penning livestock, now disused and standing in ruins. They belong to the traditional pastoral economy of Pallars Jussà, where shepherds moved flocks of sheep and goats to high mountain pastures during the warmer months and needed secure enclosures to gather and protect the animals overnight or during bad weather.

The corrals sit at roughly 1,225 metres above sea level, on the slopes of the Serra de Sant Gervàs, a modest mountain range in the Catalan Pre-Pyrenees, named after the nearby hermitage that shares its name.

How Do You Get There?

The town of Tremp, capital of Pallars Jussà, is the main gateway to the area and the natural starting point for a visit. From Tremp, hiking trails climb toward the Serra de Sant Gervàs, crossing the territory of the former Espluga de Serra municipality and passing the Sant Gervàs hermitage before reaching the corrals, which lie a little further down the slope. Because the terrain is mountainous, it is worth setting aside a full day, wearing proper hiking footwear, and carrying enough water.

The coordinates for the site are 42.30475 N, 0.81017 E, useful to load into a GPS device or hiking app before setting out.

What Will You See?

Visitors find the remains of five separate corrals arranged side by side on the mountainside. Although the structures are abandoned and partly collapsed, their layout still shows how a pastoral operation once worked here — separate compartments likely served to sort animals and shelter them from predators and harsh weather.

Corrals de Sallants also functions as a landmark along hiking routes that cross the Serra de Sant Gervàs, making it a stop that hikers exploring this part of the Pyrenees often pass by. The nearby Sant Gervàs hermitage gives the walk an additional point of interest.

When Should You Visit?

Given the altitude and mountainous terrain, late spring through early autumn is the best window, when trails are dry and easier to follow. In winter and early spring, typical Pyrenean weather conditions can make the approach more demanding, so it is worth checking the forecast before setting out.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Corrals de Sallants? They are five former livestock enclosures near Tremp, once used to gather and protect grazing animals in the mountains, now abandoned and in ruins.

Where exactly are they located? On the south-facing slope of the Serra de Sant Gervàs, within the area of the former Espluga de Serra municipality, just below the Sant Gervàs hermitage, at about 1,225 metres above sea level.

How do I get to Corrals de Sallants? The best starting point is Tremp, from where hiking trails lead toward the Serra de Sant Gervàs, passing the Sant Gervàs hermitage on the way.

Is there anything else worth seeing nearby? Yes — the Sant Gervàs hermitage sits right next to the corrals, and the wider Serra de Sant Gervàs is a popular hiking area within Pallars Jussà.