Montserrat Hiking Trails For The Whole Family
BEST IDEAS TO PLAN YOUR HIKING
Montserrat is a breathtaking rocky mountain just one hour away from Barcelona. Half way to the top stands a famous monastery where the Black Madonna of Montserrat is worshipped, making it one of the most popular day trips from Barcelona. Most tourists stay around the Monastery area, but visiting the basilica is not the only reason to go!
A cable car, two funiculars, a rack train, an art museum, a small farmers market and Boys Choir are some of the many things to do in Montserrat. But the mountain itself is just worth enough the trip. There’s options for everyone: from quick easy hikes for those who have limited time (or energy levels), to extensive hikes to challenge the most active travelers. The purpose of this post is to give you some great ideas for hiking in Montserrat, rather than to be an extensive hiking guide, so I decided to only give you specific directions for the easiest trails that anyone (or almost anyone) can do. Then I’ve listed more ideas for active travelers and trained hikers, with brief descriptions and links to detailed itineraries that you can check if they catch your attention. Enjoy!
Tips before you start hiking Montserrat
- In the Summer: bring a hat (the shade is scarce) and plenty of water (there’s a lack of natural water springs). And don’t forget your sunscreen!
- In the Winter: Montserrat tends to be colder than Barcelona, as well as foggier and wetter. Dress warm and if possible waterproof.
- Shoes: Walking shoes are enough for easy hikes, good sneakers are fine for medium level hikes, but hiking boots are a good idea for more advanced hikes.
- Hiking poles. They can be helpful for medium to difficult routes.
- Safety: Montserrat is generally safe, but it’s not unusual to hear on the news that the firemen had to rescue a stray hiker in Montserrat. So stay within the marked trails and avoid getting close to unprotected cliffs. Do not try to climb rocks or via ferratas without the right equipment. Leave the wildlife alone: do not disturb nor feed the wild goats, boars and birds of prey.
- How to get to Montserrat
- Where to eat in Montserrat
Easiest Montserrat hiking trails
1
Via Crucis
Not to be confused with the other Via Crucis on the way to the Santa Cova, this is the shortest hike near the Montserrat Monastery. And despite being so short, it quickly takes you away from the tourist crowds and in contact with nature. The walk is however not recommended for people with walking issues because it involves steps here and there, but it's easy to do with kids and you can't get lost, because the way is dotted with sculptures about Jesus' path to the Cross (the ones at the beginning prettier than the ones towards the end, more simple).
The walk starts from Plaça de l’Abat Oliva, the little square where there’s a cafe, a grocery shop, the hostel buildings and sometimes an ice cream parlor in the Summer. You’ll take the steps up the fountain that surrounds the contemporary sculpture dedicated to the founder of the Montserrat Monastery, the Abbott Oliva. As you reach the bridge you’ll take the left following the signs to the Via Crucis (the path to the right takes you instead to Sant Jeroni, the highest peak of Montserrat, but it’s a hike longer than 2 hours one way!).
The trail is mostly well paved and wide, with steps here and there, first uphill, then downhill. At one point the path goes on a bridge over the rails of the Funicular of Sant Joan. It also passes rock walls where you may see rockclimbers practizing. You’ll know that you are reaching the end when you passe the Capella de la Soledat (Chapel of Our Lady of Solitude), a small squared stone chapel usually closed to the public. From there the trail joins a wider paved path that descends back to the Monastery to the left (the path to the right continues towards the Cross of St. Miquel and up to Sant Joan, but that’s a longer hike)
Distance covered: 0,7km / 0,44mi
Elevation gain: 40m/131ft
Time: 20 minutes (circular route)
More information >>
2
Hermitages of Sant Joan and Sant Onofre
And before starting your hike you might want to go up to the second floor of the station where there’s a small exhibit about the nature in Montserrat and a balcony with great views over the Montserrat monastery and the surrounding peaks. Your hike starts from the small terrace outside of the station, known as Pla de les Tarantules (no idea why the name: there’s no such big spiders in Montserrat!).
From there depart two wide roads: one goes up the hill before starting the descent back to the Monastery, the other one, to the right, is the one you need: as you start walking you’ll soon be able to see the ermitages in the distance. The path is wide, paved and easy until you reach the first chapel, Sant Onofre. Then the pavement breaks into gravel and the slope gets more pronounced to take you to the ruins of Sant Joan. Unlike Sant Onofre that still looks very much like a church, nowadays Sant Joan is no more than a few walls standing next to the rock walls of the mountain, some of them left from the medieval building destroyed by the army of Napoleon in 1812, while some other are remains of a restaurant that occupied the space in the 1900’s.
Distance covered (round trip): 750m /2460ft
Elevation gain: 95m/311ft
Time: 15 minutes one-way (30 minutes for the circular route, plus the time you decide to spend at the hermitages)
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3
Camí dels Degotalls
This other hike is mostly flat and it offers views over the valley of the valley and on a clear day, even all the way to the Pyrenees. From the Monastery of Montserrat, follow the long balcony past the farmers market and the self-service building next to the parking lot. The Degotalls trail starts right in front of the pedestrian crossing, first as a paved slope but soon turning into a dirt trail that runs parallel to the road below.
The path is decorated here and there with small monuments and tile panels dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The route ends at a cul-de-sac surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation and also decorated with a couple of other Marian tiles. This path is particularly pleasant in the Summer, when it offers more shade than most other hikes in Montserrat.
Distance covered (round trip): 3.2km /2mi
Elevation gain: 25m/82ft
Time: 25 minutes one-way (50 minutes for the circular route, plus the time you spend taking pictures and enjoying the views)
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4
Sant Joan Funicular top station to the Montserrat Monastery
For this hike you’ll need to take the funicular of Sant Joan, just like for the route of the Sant Joan and Sant Onofre hermitages. You can also check out the nature exhibit and the balcony with views on top of the station before starting. You can even do first the Sant Joan and Sant Onofre route, if you feel energetic enough. But then instead of the path that goes right to the hermitages, you’ll take the path to the left that goes up a small hill: from the top of that hill, the rest of the way will be down.
Sometimes paved with concrete, sometimes dirt, the road is easy and provides great views over the valleys, with the Mediterranean visible far away on a clear day. If you are lucky, you might even be able to spot some wild goats, too. In the spring, rosemary and thyme bloom at the edges of the trail. Half way down the path goes by a small water reservoir, where I’ve occasionally seen fish. Kids love throwing pebbles into the water, and since there’s some shade it’s a good place to stop for a break (the path up to here goes mostly under the sun).
Ten minutes later you’ll be passing the hermitage of Sant Miquel (St. Michael), and just as you leave it behind you’ll find a smaller trail that heads to the Cross of Saint Michael (Creu de Sant Miquel), a favorite spot to take pictures of the monastery. It’s less than 5 minutes walk from the main trail, but the slope down to the cross is sort of steep and older people might find the way back up to be challenging.
From there the path enters a more shadowy part of the mountain, with trees that provide protection from the sun. And after you pass a fence that prevents unauthorized cars to approach the cross area (but has a pedestrian gate to the right) the path is dotted with small sculptures and monuments donated by local institutions. You’ll be less than 20 minutes away from the Monastery.
Distance covered (round trip): 3.3km /2.05mi
Elevation gain: -359m/-1177ft (downhill)
Time: the descent can be done in 45 minutes, maybe a bit over one hour if you take the detour to see the Creu de Sant Miquel.
More information >>
5
Cross of Saint Miquel from the Monastery
You’ll soon start seeing the cross in the distance. When you reach the gate that stops cars from going further, use the pedestrians opening to its left to go through. You’ll be more or less half way to the cross already, and not further there’s a shady bend of the road with places to seat. Don’t miss the opportunity because as soon as you continue you’ll be right in the sun.
In five minutes you’ll get to another sharp curbe and to the left of it you’ll see a small trail that goes downhill: that’s the one that takes to the cross. Follow it an in less than 5 minutes you’ll reach this spectacular vantage point with views over the monastery of Montserrat and the valleys, with the Mediterranean far away in the distance on a clear day. Now you only need to retrace your steps back to the Monastery (back up the trail to the main road is kind of steep, but from there it’s a leisurely descent). Or you may want to go only a bit further up the road to check out the hermitage of St. Michael before heading back.
Distance covered (round trip): 2,66km / 1,65mi (round trip)
Elevation gain: -154m / 505ft
Time: About 1 hour for the round trip
More information >>
Medium difficulty Montserrat hikes
6
Ermita de Santa Magdalena
This path starts easy, heading from the top of the Funicular of Sant Joan to the Sant Joan and Sant Onofre hermitages. But then it continues through crooked steps excavated in the rocks, dense forests where the path is harder to follow, and the ruins of Santa Magdalena – another hermitage from which not much is left. There’s the option of taking a detour to climb to the Miranda de Santa Magdalena viewpoint.
Distance covered (round trip): 2,66km / 1,65mi (round trip)
Elevation gain: 155m / 508ft (202m / 662ft if you climb to the Miranda viewpoint)
Time: About 1 hour for the circular route (1.5 hours if you climb to the Miranda viewpoint)
Directions: I wasn’t able to find a track for the exact route, but this one includes it, even if it starts with a hike from the monastery of Montserrat via St. Miquel that makes it more energy demanding. For the circular route of just Santa Magdalena, follow the directions from the Funicular top station (#7) to numbers #5 and #6, then back to #7.
7
Montserrat Monastery to the Santa Cova chapel
The difficulty of this hike is that the trail goes up and down, up and down, with steps here and there, and that makes it challenging for people with low energy levels. Other than that, the path is ornated with elegant sculptures of the Mysteries of Faith and the Rosari, including one designed by a young Antoni Gaudi. There’s also cool views of the monastery from a cross, and at the end of the trail you can visit a small chapel where the Black Madonna of Montserrat was found according to the legend. The first 10 minutes (or the last, on the way back) are the steepest, but they can be skipped by taking the Funicular de la Santa Cova – which is specially satisfying on the way back.
Distance covered (round trip): 5.62km / 3.48mi (round trip)
Elevation gain: 239m / 784ft
Time: 45 minutes one-way, 1.5 hours for the round trip – plus the time you spend visiting the chapel and taking pictures.
More information >>
8
Miranda de Fra Garí from the Monastery of Montserrat
This hike starts from the same path that takes to the Cross of St. Miquel, but it soon detours to start climbing up a steep mountain trail that takes you to where the legendary Friar Gary, tempted by the devil and turned into a bear as punishment until he repented. On the way you’ll get to see a couple of small caves, as well as the remains of the friar’s hermitage and a water cistern.
Distance covered (round trip): 1,72km / 1.06mi (round trip)
Elevation gain: 230m / 754ft
Time: 45 minutes for the round trip.
More information >>
Montserrat trekking for trained hikers
9
Sant Jeroni
The most iconic hike in Montserrat, it takes you from the Monastery to the highest peak of the mountain range and back. It can be done as a circular route, climbing via Sant Miquel and the top station of the Funicular de Sant Joan, then descending via the Pas dels Francesos and the Santa Anna hermitage (or the other way around). A way to make it easier for kids is to cheat and start from the top station of the Funicular, skipping the first hour of climb. The highlights of the hike are maybe getting a glimpse of the wild goats, and if the day is very very clear, the outline of the island of Mallorca from Sant Jeroni.
Distance covered (round trip): 13km / 8mi (round trip)
Elevation gain:365m / 2083ft
Time: At least 4 hours for the round trip (but at my pace and the many stops, I always recommend to count 6 hours to be safe).
More information >>
10
Camí de l'Aigua
Can you hike from the bottom of the mountain all the way to the Montserrat Monastery? Sure! And the most popular way is to take this hiking trail that starts in Monistrol, where the suburban train stops, connecting with the path to the Santa Cova at the end (you may want to take a detour to check it out… if you aren’t too exhausted!). The trail is well marked, but it involves many sections of steps. Anyways, the views are outstanding.
Distance covered (round trip): 4,19km / 2,6mi
Elevation gain: 788m / 2585ft
Time: Around 1.5 hours.
More information >>
11
GR-96
GRs are a network of long-distance paths across Europe. The GR-96 is the one that follows one of the traditional path of the pilgrims heading from Barcelona to Montserrat on foot. It departs Barcelona from the top of the Sarria district and continues over the Collserola mountains via Sant Cugat del Vallès, Terrassa, Vacarisses and Monistrol de Montserrat. While it can be divided into three more manageable stages, it’s not uncommon that local churches, hiking clubs and and cultural societies organize once a year a nightly hike for their members that starts from Barcelona with the sunset and ends in the monastery with the sunrise.
I did it once, when I was in my 20’s, but my group decided to take the train to Les Fonts near Rubi, skipping the first 20km / 12.5mi, and I was glad we did that. It was really cool to hike all the night long under the stars and the light of the torches, but I’m not ready to repeat it!
Distance covered (round trip): 57,42km / 35.6mi
Elevation gain: 2083m / 6834ft
Time: At least 15 hours, non-stop
More information >>
12
Camí de Sant Jaume
If you are a hiker, you must have heard of the famous Camino de Santiago in the North of Spain: the route taken by the pilgrims that crossed Europe in the Middle Ages to visit the tomb of St. James in Santiago de Compostela (Spain). Well, did you know that the hiking trails that now are so popular weren’t the only way to Santiago? Most pilgrims living around the Mediterranean would sail to Catalan ports, and from there take a different trail there. And of course there’s one that goes via Barcelona and Montserrat! It’s one of the several “Catalan Ways”.
Or should I say two of the Catalan Ways, because there’s two official Camins de Sant Jaume departing from Barcelona and stopping over in Montserrat before continuing onwards. One goes relatively parallel to the GR-96 at first, departing Barcelona via Gracia and the Tibidabo Hill, then descending to Sant Cugat del Valles, but then it approaches the mountain from the other side via Olesa and Collbato. The other route leaves Barcelona via l’Hospitalet de Llobregat, then follows the Llobregat river to Martorell, then Esparreguera, also reaching the mountain via Collbato.
Distance covered (round trip): The Llobregat route is 55.6km / 34.5mi, while the Valles route is 56.8km / 35.3mi.
Elevation gain: 2083m / 6834ft
Time: At least 15 hours, non-stop (but each route can be split in two shorter stages)
More information >>
13
PR®-C 1025, the new Circular Route
This new route has been created to celebrate the 1000 anniversary of the Montserrat Monastery, in collaboration with the federation of hiking clubs of Catalonia (FEEC). The itinerary takes you around the mountain, starting and finishing at the monastery (or any other point of the circular route, but the monastery is the most convenient starting point). This hike takes you passed historical sites of the mountain such as the Monastery of Santa Cecilia or the hermitage of St. Benedict, but also next to key natural landmarks such as the Agulles rocks, the Cavall Bernat crag, the Roca Foradada (if you haven’t seen this video about it, don’t miss it!) or the Salnitre Cave.
The route also connects and sometimes overlaps other famous hiking trails such as the staircase of the Poor Men (escales dels Pobres), the Crossing of the French (Pas dels Francesos), or the trail to the Sant Jeroni peak. It is possible to do it all in one intense day, or split it in two days and spend the night over at the Vicenç Barbé mountain shelter.
Distance covered: 28.4km / 17.6mi.
Elevation gain: 1476.7m/ 4844.8ft
Time: At least 9.5 hours, non-stop
More information >>
What are your favorite hikes in Montserrat?
Marta
Marta is the founder of ForeverBarcelona. She is a passionate tour guide that loves Barcelona and loves writing too. She is the main author of our Blog, and is committed to sharing her knowledge about Barcelona and her best tips with our readers.
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I am interested on path no. 2. We will be there on 29/June
Hi Yoav,
Please, contact us at bookings@foreverbarcelona.com
Best regards,