The Coscollet from Aubàs (Sierra de Aubenç)

We leave from near the scattered nucleus of Aubàs, through the forest track. We can leave the car in this small village, but a fairly barking dog advises us to leave it higher.

From the point where we left the car, we immediately take the path on the left which begins to climb with a constant and quite bearable slope. The trail is not very trodden, but the yellow and blue marks that we will find almost to the top do not lead to loss. During the first section we will find a hose by land that follows the same path as us, so it can serve as a guide point as well.

We progressively climb the Sierra de Aubàs and cross an electric line and, further up, a forest track (yellow and blue marks and a landmark). Little by little, the path begins to increase the slope and we go deeper into the shade of the forest. In this section, although the pine and boxwood dominates, but higher up the main forest is that of red pine (a little affected by the processionary in winter and in sunny places).

The path through the shade takes a southeasterly direction until we reach a small intersection (indicated in the waypoint "Crossroads") in which we continue uphill to our right. (Yellow and blue marks).

We continue climbing straight southwards until we reach a forest track. From this point, the slope is less steep and we will continue for half an hour on a gently sloping track. We follow the mountain on the north slope in the area known as the Nargó Forest and the Obaga del Mostalla. Precisely, at the darkest point we find a small beech forest.

After this section, we ignore a track that goes to the right, less traveled. We continue going up gently until we reach a curve where there is a crossroads. We will take the track that turns to the left and soon we will take a path that goes up to our right to gain more unevenness in less time.

The trail reaches the same track but a bit higher. At this point, it is important to avoid going ahead and leaving the yellow and blue markings. We will continue to the left (direction East / Southeast) for a few meters per track and, very soon, we will take a path with milestones that will allow us to reach the track that runs along the ridge.

From this point, we go first a moment to the left to enjoy an exceptional panoramic view of the Sierra de Aubenç and the summit that we will make next: the Torre de Aubenç or El Coscollet, which has a cliff that falls vertically 200 meters above the Oliana swamp. An impressive prospect.

We have just reached the top by returning to the ridge trail and following it until we reach the geodesic apex and the fire watch house. From here, if the day is clear, we will see perfectly the Oliana valley, the Rialb and Oliana swamps, as well as a good part of the Catalan Pyrenees and Pre-Pyrenees. On the day we went, in winter, we got to see from the Ports of Tortosa to the Pica de Estados and from Montseny to the Sierra de Guara. An exceptional panorama!

To return, we undo the way there until we reach the cotxe again. North of Olinana, on the right bank of the Segre, the Sierra de Aubenç rises. For midday and especially for the east, imposing cliffs plummet over the Oliana reservoir. The Coscollet, also known as Torre de Aubenç, is the highlight.

Authors photographs and text: Sergi Boixader