The Sau reservoir is a Spanish hydraulic infrastructure built on the Ter river, located in the municipality of Vilanova de Sau, at the foot of the Guilleries massif, in the Osona region, province of Barcelona, Catalonia.

It is part of a system of three reservoirs, together with those of Susqueda and Pasteral, which joins the counties of Osona and La Selva. The reservoir, inaugurated in 1962, covered the town of San Román de Sau, the remains of which, especially the bell tower of the temple, are visible when the water level is low and, even in times of prolonged drought, the town is left to the discovered and it is possible to visit it.

The church of the Sau swamp is registered as the oldest in the world that is preserved standing in the water. [2] This is confirmed by a study promoted by the international entity of world record records Official World Record with the collaboration of a research group from the University of Barcelona in the year 2021.

Translated by Google •

Tom Gibson

August 7, 2025

Sau Dam Tip for Bikepackers

When riding near the Pantà de Sau (Sau Reservoir), don’t miss stopping at the Sau Dam viewpoint. It’s a spectacular spot to catch your breath and take in the sweeping views of the turquoise reservoir framed by steep cliffs and lush forests.

🌊 If water levels are low, you might even spot the famous submerged bell tower of the old village of Sant Romà de Sau poking out of the water — a haunting and iconic sight that adds a unique story to your ride.

🛑 Keep in mind the area around the dam can be a bit steep and technical on gravel roads, so take it easy if you’re loaded up.

💡 Pro tip: Early morning or late afternoon light here is magical for photos and gives you cooler temperatures for climbing or descending.

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 400 m

Weather

Today

Wednesday 29 October

15°C

11°C

20 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 10.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See rides here

Take Me There

Location: Vilanova De Sau, Osona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Camino gravel pantano de Susqueda

View of Pantà de Sau and the Submerged Church from Mirador Pla del Castell

Castell de Sant Llorenç del Munt

Rupit Village

Tavertet–Rupit Scenic Road

Salt de la Minyona Viewpoint

Parque de las Siete Fuentes (Sant Julià de Vilatorta)

Church of Sant Romà de Sau

Pont de Susqueda

Susqueda Reservoir Trail

Cim

Sant Feliuet de Savassona Forest

Sau Dam

1. Rupit – Sau Dam loop from Vic

2. Sau Dam – Sant Joan de Fàbregues Church loop from l'Esquirol

3. Gorg dels Llitons – Sau Dam loop from Vic

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️