Rutes » Basses de Brichs-Alzina-Miracle

The Brics and Alzina ponds, and Miracle.

Download the leaflet: Solsona_Basses de Brics i l’Alzina or follow the route on  Wikiloc.

“The region of the thousand farmhouses”

El Solsonès is popularly known as “the region of the thousand farmhouses” because of its rural image, a landscape of large extensions of fields and small hills. This GR-7 will guide us through the mosaic of meadows, forests and farmhouses that can be found in the south of the municipality of Solsona. The first section will lead us to Brics, where we will be able to see a pond, as well as one in Alsina, home to a remarkable diversity of fauna, including the presence of water birds. The route can be extended by another one hour journey, along the GR-7, in order to arrive at the Miracle Sanctuary, an outstanding historical and religious centre declared of National Cultural Interest. This itinerary is a reasonable walk around the South of El Solsonès.

Route             

The starting point of this route is the Sant Jordi roundabout; there we take a path that goes past some houses and farms until we reach the Ribalta torrent. Once there, we take the path towards the west until we cross a tunnel (1), and then we find the red and white marks of the GR-7 which lead us toward the south right until we reach the end of the route.

Each step will take us farther away from the city of Solsona, following a flattish path, not far from C-451 road, with a landscape that alternates quiet oak groves with crop fields amongst farmhouses and farms. The landscape that we find, unlike that in the north of Solsona, is soft and undulating. The red and white marks will make us cross the road to head south a few metres and go past the Aigüesvives torrent and farmhouse, a place of special charm. The eroded rock and the riverside vegetation accentuate the singularity of this spot compared to the rest of the route.

We will follow a path through a pine forest that was affected by the fires in 1998 until we reach a plateau with views of Solsona and its surroundings and of the Pre-Pyrenees. Farther on, this path joins a road until it turns to reach the small town of Brics where you can see the Brics pond. Then we follow the GR to get to the Alsina pond. These two ponds are of remarkable dimensions. It is not uncommon to see aquatic fauna such as the great reed warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) or the little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis). There are observation points equipped with information boards of the natural values of the area.

From the Alsina pond, the GR takes us to Miracle (2), an hour’s walk farther on (4km), which is recommended due to its high cultural and architectural interest. There are some singular elements that stand out, such as the Baroque altarpiece of the church (18th century), the Gothic-Renaissance altarpiece of the Santíssim Chapel (16th century), the Casa Gran (16th century) or the organ (16th century). In addition to a Benedictine centre, there are also various places to visit, such as the House of Spirituality and tourist services, with a new Baroque Interpretation Centre, a monumental ensemble of great importance for celebrating liturgical and spiritual activities. The area is located in a spot that offers interesting panoramic views of the region.