Montserrat Natural Park
Montserrat Natural Park (Parc Natural de la Muntanya de Montserrat) is in Barcelona (province) of Catalonia.
This page is about the natural park. For information about visiting the monastery, see Montserrat (Spain)
Understand
Montserrat Mountain in Catalonia is a symbol of the region due to its unique characteristics.
The park has 3 protection zones: the innermost is the Natural Reservation (Reserva Natural de la Muntanya de Montserrat), then the Montserrat Natural Park (Parc Natural de la Muntanya de Montserrat) and a buffer zone called Montserrat Natural Park Buffer Zone (Entorn de proteccio del parc de la Muntanya de Montserrat).
- 1 Sanctury tourist office.
- 2 Can Maçana Tourist office (Centre d'informació Coll de Can Maçana), BP-1101 km 2.6, Can Maçana, El Bruc, info@montserratcanmacana.cat. Sa Su 08:30-18:00. Tourist office covering the west side of the Montserrat Natural Park.
History
Landscape
Its formation dates back around 50 million years when it was a shallow sea filled with pebbles from a vanished Catalan-Balearic massif. Over time, these pebbles mixed with other materials to create the rugged terrain. Geological movements caused Montserrat to emerge from the sea, shaped further by natural forces like wind and rain. The durable conglomerate materials, known as "pinyoles," played a crucial role. The mountain offers breathtaking views from its summit, and despite its unity and unique features, it's part of the Catalan Prelitoral Range.
Flora and fauna
Montserrat Mountain, known for its iconic appearance, houses lush evergreen oak forests and thriving vegetation in its canyons and slopes. Despite its Mediterranean climate, the dense oak canopy fosters a moist understory where various shrubs and vines flourish, including buckthorn, greenbrier, laurestine, honeysuckle, and more. Deciduous forests like oak groves exist in shaded slopes, while sun-exposed calcareous areas feature rosemary and winter heath. Montserrat's unique ecology includes rare species on cliffs and rocky outcrops. True mountain oak forests are rare, found on calcareous plateaus. Some areas boast oak and boxwood groves, and there are even patches of yew woodlands with various coexisting species.
Human pressure and the expansion of habitat around Montserrat have led to the gradual disappearance of fauna, especially large fauna, aggravated by a fire in 1986. The fauna consist mostly of species typical of the Mediterranean, although some with a Central European tendency coexist in certain mountain environments. Mammals such as wild boar, squirrel, marten and wild cat are found, and in 1995, the wild goat was reintroduced to Montserrat. Reptiles include the ocellated lizard, viper, blind shingles and others. The rock birds are numerous, highlighting the royal swift, the rock martin and the rockcreeper, while in the forests there are various species such as the blackbird, the common wren, the wood pigeon and the warbler. The presence of birds of prey is rare, although the short-toed eagle and the peregrine falcon stand out on the vertical walls.
Climate
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The park, located near Barcelona, enjoys a Mediterranean climate. Summers are warm and dry, with average temperatures around 25-28°C (77-82°F). This season is perfect for outdoor activities like hiking and exploration. Winters are mild, with temperatures ranging from 5-12°C (41-54°F). The park experiences the most rainfall in September, making it the wettest month, and precipitation is common from April to October. The park's climate sustains its lush vegetation and diverse wildlife. Spring and fall offer pleasant weather for visitors, but each season provides a unique perspective on this stunning natural wonder.
Get in
To get to the monastery check Montserrat for train, and cable car information.
By car
Montserrat Natural Park lies between A-2 (Collbato-el Bruc) c-55 (Olesa de Montserrat-C58) The roads to get into de park are:
- The BP-1103 from El Bruc until the Monastery
- The BP11-21 from Monistrol de Montserrat until the Monastery
Parking in the Monastery parking area is quite expensive.
- 1 Official parking to access the monastery. It is quite expensive as they only have a flat daily price. On weekends it's crowded and you will have to walk a lot intil de monastery. If travelling with people with reduced mobility, consider going to the monastery entrance, leaving them there and then go to park. €7 a day (free the first 30 min).
Free Parking areas for climbing and Hiking:
- 2 Parking de la salut (Parking Les Coves del Salnitre) (on B-112 follow the sign "coves de Collbato"). from there you can visit the Ermita de la salut and use the recreational area. You can visit the coves (caves) of Collbato. It's also the starting point of routes and climbs.
- 3 Parking Vinya Nova (follow avinguda Vinya Nova in Collbato and follow the track to Masia Vinyanova).
- 4 Parking Can Jorba (in carrer can Marques take a track at right; there is a sign with the parking name).
- 5 Parking El Bruc Poble, Carrer de les escoles, El Bruc. Parking in the village of El Bruc.
- 6 Parking Can Maçana. Parking and recreational area. paid on weekends.
- 7 Parking Santa Cecilia. Parking in front of Santa Cecilia monastir.
Fees and permits
The park is free to enter. Check restriction to some activities on the official park site Muntanya Montserrat
Get around
The only way to go around the natural park is walking or climbing. Not even in MTB bike a part from the described access roads.
There are a couple of cable cars from the monastery documented in the See section.
See
- 1 Monastery of Montserrat (Santa Maria de Montserrat).
- 2 Santa Cova (Funicular de la Santa Cova). The Santa Cova hermitage is perhaps the most famous one in Montserrat. It is said to be the place where the image of the Virgin of Montserrat, also known as La Moreneta, was discovered in the 12th century. If visiting the Santa Cova, there is a funicular which copes with the steepest part, although its lower stop is a bit far away from the Santa Cova itself. It is very useful on the way back as it's uphill.
- 3 Funicular de Sant Joan. This funicular connects the monastery and an upper viewing point. The upper viewing point is at the junction of three hiking trails: they connect to the monastery, to the hermitage of Santa Magdalena, and to the Sant Jeroni summit.
- 4 Hermitage of Sant Joan (Ermita de Sant Joan). The hermitage of Sant Joan is perched atop a hill and provides panoramic views of the mountain. It's a popular spot for hikers and offers a peaceful atmosphere for contemplation.
- 5 Ermita de Sant Benet. This hermitage is located on a hillside and offers breathtaking views of Montserrat and the surrounding areas. It was constructed in the 16th century but has undergone renovations over the years. Today it is a mountain refuge.
- 6 Ermita de Sant Jeroni. It has likely existed since the 14th century, serving as a place of solitude and worship for hermits and pilgrims. Offers the most spectacular views. It's a challenging hike to reach it, but the panoramic vistas of Catalonia are worth the effort.
- 7 Ermita de Sant Iscle i Santa Victòria. Hermitege church near the beginning of cami del Degotalls.
- 8 Cami dels Degotalls. Nice way starting near the monastery full of representations of Virgins Mary, which has been build after peregrinations from villages all aroud Catalonia
- 9 Sant Salvador Hermitage (Ermita de Sant Salvador).
- 10 Capella de Sant Miquel.
- 11 Sant Pau Vell de la Guàrdia. Ancient Romanesque church (1084), partially reconstructed, which was the first parish in the Bruc region. Located at the foot of the Castell de la Guàrdia hill, it is an excellent viewpoint
- 12 Ermita de Sant Jaume.
- 13 Ermita de Santa Magdalena (ruïnes).
- 14 Ermita de Sant Onofre (ruïnes).
- 15 Ermita de Santa Anna (ruïnes).
Viewpoints
- 3 Miranda de Fra Garí.
- 4 Mirador de Sant Jaume.
- 5 Miranda dels Ermitans.
- 6 Mirador de Sant Dimes.
- 7 Creu de Sant Miquel.
- 8 Miranda de Santa Magdalena.
- 9 Mirador de la Serra de les Paparres.
- 10 Miranda del Moro.
- 11 Miranda de Santa Cecília.
- 12 Mirador de l'Oliver.
Do
Sightseeing
More detail on monastery sightseeing in Montserrat (Spain).
Hiking
There is a long tradition to go walking from diferent cities until the monastery of montserrat, is something between a hiking and a Peregrination.
In the Natural Park of Montserrat Mountain, many long-distance trails cross and terminate, including:
- Way of St. James - Catalan segment from El Port de la Selva or Llançà to Montserrat (Spain) to the Way of St.James - Ebro segment,passes the site.
- GR-172 passes through Can Massana, the Monastery of Montserrat, and Collbató.
- GR-4 passes through Marganell, the Monastery of Montserrat, and the section from Collbató to Bruc is in preparation.
- GR-6 and GR-6-1 cross Collbató to reach the Monastery.
- GR-5-Viewpoints Trail crosses Collbató, passing by the Monastery and Monistrol de Montserrat.
- Finally, GR-96, originating from Barcelona and passing through Monistrol, ends at the Monastery of Montserrat.
- Other easily accessible paths include the Bateries route in Collbató and the Camí de l'Àngel in Monistrol.
However, there are numerous trails, paths, and smaller routes that delve into the mountain's interior. Nevertheless, tackling these routes requires a certain level of training and mountain experience.
Caving
The Avenc dels Pouetons has been and remains the go-to cave for spelunkers in the Montserrat massif. Its unique configuration restricts visits to athletes with expertise in vertical progression techniques and specialized gear.
The Coves de Collbató or Salnitre Caves are also renowned. Among them, the largest cave in the Collbató cave system, boasting a roughly 500-m route, is open to the public with organized tours on weekends and holidays. This subterranean journey, well-illuminated and equipped, immerses visitors in the depths of the cave, offering a glimpse of the various karstic processes that have shaped this distinctive environment over time.
Climbing
Montserrat Mountain stands as one of the world's foremost and historically significant venues for this pursuit. However, the coexistence of climbing with the preservation of Montserrat's natural values presents a unique challenge. To address this, regulations were established to safeguard protected species, forests, canyons, and native ecosystems while accommodating climbers. Montserrat offers over 5600 climbing routes of varying difficulty levels and modalities. This abstract highlights the intricate balance between outdoor recreation and environmental conservation and underscores the importance of managing climbing activities to protect the region's unique biodiversity, particularly nesting rupicolous birds in the park.
- 5 Climbing area A-1 (Serrat d ela vinya-Sajolida). The point is the centre of the climbing area. It has around 1,000 m (3,300 ft) north-south and 600 m (2,000 ft) east-west.
- 6 Climbing area A-2 (Cap de les Canals). The point is the centre of the climbing area. it has a radium of around 250 m (820 ft).
- 7 Climbing area A-3 (Serrat del Cabrit. Canal dels Cirers). The point is the centre of the climbing area. it has a radium of around 300 m (980 ft).
- 8 Climbing area A-4 (Recinte del monastyr). The point is the centre of the climbing area. A-4 is the area behing the monastery.
Some climbing tracks are:
Cycling
The Monastery is the destination of many routes either road, gravel or MTB.
The Barcelona - Montserrat is a classic and demanding route for road bikers. Monistrol to Montserrat is a shorter version.
The Manresa-Montserrat via Santa Cecilia is a gravel-MTB route you can check.
Buy
For information about shopping in the Monastery see Montserrat (Spain)
Eat
- 1 Restaurant Montserrat, ☏ +34 93 877 77 01, reserves@larsa-montserrat.com. All-you-can-eat buffet. The Restaurant Montserrat opened on the ground floor of the Mirador dels Apòstols building in 1976. €19.5.
- 2 Restaurant Hostal Abat Cisneros, ☏ +34 607 243 305. The dinning room are in the 16th-century stables. €40.
Picnic areas
- La Salut recreational area : see Parking de la salut in the Go section
- La Maçana recreational area: Se Parking Can Maçana.
- 3 Malniu recreational area. it has parking
- 4 Plaça de Catalunya recreational area (Àrea de descans de la Plaça de Catalunya), BP-1103.
- 5 Santa Cecilia recreational area. Park in the near parking area of Santa Cecilia.
- 6 Sant Jaume el Blanc recreational area (area del Canal del Pou del Gat). it has parking
- When entering the Sanctuary Paid Parking area there are a couple of picnic areas.
Drink
Sleep
- 1 Hostal Abad Cisneros, ☏ +34 93 877 7701, reserves@larsa-montserrat.com. from €53.
Mountain refuges
- 2 Refugi de Sant Benet, ☏ +34 622 879 393.
- 3 Refugi Agulles “Vicenç Barbé”, ☏ +34628 787 3901, agulles.refugi@feec.cat. Mountain refuge 20 beds
Camping
- 4 Camping Montserrat (Area esportiva i d'acampada Montserrat), informacio@larsa-montserrat.com.
Stay safe
Go next
For more natural parks check Nature parks in Barcelona province or Nature parks in Catalonia.