Barcelona is a hustle and bustle city on a grand scale. While it’s a beautiful city full of culture, food and nice people, it can get very busy especially in summer. So heading out of the city for a day, we found a guided hike up and around Montserrat. With a certain wow factor about it, we were very excited.

As a result of leaving the city behind you, you quickly gain a glimpse of this amazing place and history as well as the sensational rock formations ahead.

View from Monserrat Mountain

Hiking Route

The hiking route is best undertaken by taking the funicular up from the Monastery. Hiking the circular route will lead you to several hermitages, passing by where monks used to live.

The hiking route around the mountain of Montserrat is largely very gentle, though be careful as there are some steep sections to navigate.

In exploring the many different hikes that begin at the Monastery and seeing a variety of geology, flora and fauna of this natural park will entertain you for hours. For example, you will pass by pointed spires and rounded rocks along with typical Mediterranean vegetation characterised by dense oak tree forest. If you are lucky, you may be able to spot the iconic wild goat of Montserrat (Ibex) clinging to the rocks.

On a clear day at the top of Montserrat mountain, you can see all the way into France. You may also be able to catch a glimpse of the Pyrenees, Andorra and all the way over to the Mediterranean coast.

Monastery

The Monastery is located at the very heart of Montserrat Mountain.

Dominant building is the Basilica of Santa Maria

The statue is of Abbot Oliba, founder of Montserrat Barcelona, Spain

Map with the different hiking routes

You can undertake the hike of Montserrat Mountain and tour of the Monastery both guided and unguided. By having a guide with you, as we did, you will certainly learn a lot more about the sights and history.

Black faced Madonna in the basilica Montserrat monastery

Summary

Some people go on pilgrimages to see the Black Madonna statue. Others are interested in the impressive architecture of the Monastery buildings.

Other people come to hear the famous choir who sing in the basilica every day. Others just come for the varied hikes around Montserrat Mountain.

Other people come to hear the famous choir who sing in the basilica every day. Others just come for the varied hikes around Montserrat Mountain.

Onwards and upwards!

Trevor

Summit!

Insights

Getting there: By car, Montserrat is around 45 minutes from the city of Barcelona – 60km. By train, the journey time to Montserrat from Barcelona España station is approximately 1 1/2 hours.

Funicular

There are two options to reach the Monastery once you have taken the train ride. So the first option is a cable car ride (Aeri). And the second option is the Funicular Cremallera Train.

Looking back down to the Funicular Train

For a great organised day trip of Montserrat, including transportation from Barcelona, guided hike and tour, we highly recommend Barcelona Hiking Guides

The Montserrat mountain range was declared a natural park in 1987.

Montserrat Mountain

The entire hike, including the visit to the Monastery should take you around six hours.

All routes are well-marked citing times and landmarks

Get there early to avoid the crowds and find a park if you’re driving.

At the top of Monserrat a pretty big compass will show you the parts of Spain to any direction

At 1,236 metres (4,055 ft) above the valley floor, Montserrat is the highest point of the Catalan lowlands, and stands central to the most populated part of Catalonia.

Montserrat Summit

Montserrat’s highest point is Sant Jeroni. It is reached by footpaths and steps leading up from the monastery.

A view of Montserrat basilica from afar

For more information see the Essential Montserrat Tourist Guide

Montserrat makes great climbing for rock climbers