Puig Cornelis

The Puig Cornelis (also documented as Puig Corneli), with an altitude of 1,360 meters, is a lofty and sheer mountain located in the municipality of Vall d'en Bas, within the Garrotxa region. It is part of the Serralada Transversal mountain range and falls within the Natural Interest Area of the Milany-Santa Magdalena and Puigsacalm-Bellmunt ranges. Its profile has been described as the "large keel of a ship" rising majestically above the Sanctuary of Santa Magdalena.

Geologically, it is mainly composed of conglomerate, sandstone, and limestone. The surrounding area features vertical cliffs formed by compact sandstones, and the summit is a small plateau of wet grass, near some repeaters.

This peak is situated in a spectacular mid-mountain environment, surrounded by holm oak, oak, and beech forests. It is a neighbor to the Puig dels Llops (1,486 m) and the Puigsacalm (1,515 m). Below the summit, on a plateau, you'll find the Santuari de Santa Magdalena del Mont (1,258 m) and the Emili Triadú mountain hut. One of the most popular ascent routes starts from Joanetes and climbs through the Canal Fosca (or dels Ganxos Nous), an equipped path that overcomes the cliff face.

The Santa Magdalena massif, which includes Puig Cornelis, is famous for hosting the Christmas Star of Joanetes, recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest illuminated star. Measuring 50 meters long, 16 meters high, and equipped with over 500 LED bulbs, it lights up every Christmas to announce and guide visitors to the Living Nativity Scene (Pessebre Vivent) of Joanetes.