The spring of Font Freda is in the upper part of Serra de l’Obac, near to the top of Fontfreda stream that takes the name, at 840 metres altitude. Its flow is small, since the spring is located near the ridge. The spring has a reservoir in the rock that is covered by a wall made of stones as an altar or arch leaving two spouts: the upper one is the overflow and the lower one that is tapped ensures that there is always water (photo 1). Before flowing down, the water is collected in a washhouse made of bricks and divided into two halves (photo 2) where tadpoles of salamanders usually live.
The stream of Fontfreda originates at the spring. The stream goes from south to north, from the ridge of Castanyera between Coma d’en Vila and La Mata to near Mura where it joins the stream of Estenalles to become the stream of Mura or Nespres. The valley of Fontfreda is steep and forested; the valley is mostly covered with holm oak woods, but it also has steep and rocky areas and some narrow passes (photo 3). A path, sometimes prompt to be missed especially when reaching tributary valleys such as that of Roure del Parrac, follows the full valley of Fontfreda from Mura to the main ridge of L’Obac. The valley of Fontfreda is a large area not so visited by hikers despite being located in the heart of natural park of Sant Llorenç del Munt i Serra de l’Obac. It belongs to the municipal district of Mura.
[photos Jordi Badia]