Molí de Sotorres

Molí de Sotorres is a 13th-century water mill in the municipality of Horta de Sant Joan, converted into a stone holiday house deep in the forests of the Els Ports Natural Park.

Where is Molí de Sotorres located?

The building sits on the banks of the Canaletas river, surrounded by forest and a small waterfall, well inside the Els Ports Natural Park. It's about 7 km from the center of Horta de Sant Joan, with the last 4.5 km running along an unpaved forest track — a car suited to gravel roads is recommended, and conditions can worsen after rain.

What's the story behind the mill?

Molí de Sotorres began life as a grain mill in the 13th century, grinding wheat for local farms for centuries. The stone building has since been restored and adapted for tourist accommodation while keeping its original structure and its setting within the river valley. The property runs on alternative energy sources, a consequence of its remote location away from the electrical grid.

How do you get there?

The most practical starting point is the village of Horta de Sant Joan, from where a forest track leads to the mill. Because of the gravel stretch, it's best to drive during daylight, and it's worth knowing that phone signal in this part of the park is weak or absent altogether. That isolation is also the property's main appeal — quiet surroundings deep in nature.

What is there to see nearby?

The Els Ports Natural Park is a landscape of limestone massifs, deep gorges and forest, and Molí de Sotorres sits almost at its heart. The GR-7 long-distance hiking route passes close by, making the mill a convenient base for multi-hour mountain routes. Nearby, the Canaletas river gorge is a popular spot for canyoning — descending narrow ravines using ropes and jumps into natural pools, a well-known activity in this part of Els Ports.

Horta de Sant Joan itself, a few kilometers away, is known as a place where the young Pablo Picasso spent time around the turn of the 20th century; the views of the nearby Santa Bàrbara rock and the village surroundings are said to have influenced his early work. That makes combining a stay at the mill with a visit to the village worthwhile.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and autumn are the best seasons for hiking and canyoning, with mild temperatures and good water levels in the Canaletas river. Summer can get hot, which suits lounging by the pool and terraces at the mill, while winter rain can make the gravel access road harder to drive.

Frequently asked questions

Can you drive there with a regular car? Yes, but the final 4.5 km run along a forest track — drive slowly and expect rougher conditions after rain.

Is there phone signal nearby? Because of its remote spot inside the Els Ports Natural Park, signal is often weak or unavailable — part of what makes the location feel so secluded.

Can you go hiking straight from the mill? Yes, the GR-7 trail runs close by, and the wider park offers many routes through limestone massifs and gorges.

What is Canaletas canyoning? It's the activity of descending the Canaletas river gorge using ropes, slides and jumps into natural pools — a popular outdoor activity in this part of Els Ports.