Ascent of Montgròs, from El Bruc

The Montgròs is one of the most emblematic peaks of Montserrat. Accompanied by the "Plecs del Llibre", the "Salamandra" or the "Roca Plana dels Llamps", this peak stands out for its morphology and its access through eroded "channels". In this route we propose an ascent from the base of the massif and a route through the gap that splits Montserrat in two, on Migdia torrent.

Summary

Between the olive trees and crops at the base, we can already see Montgròs. First we climb steeply up to the "coll de l'Ajaguda". Now we go up the mysterious Migdia torrent with its shady atmosphere, until we take the turn-off to the summit. Here we start to climb, passing by the "Cadireta" spring and through rocks and the eroded channel of the Salamandra, we reach Montgròs.

Technical specifications

Distance: 6.1 km

Cumulative difference in altitude: +728 m

WaterThere are no shops along the whole route. In the residential Bruc there are no shops and the water of the Cadireta fountain is not accessible.

Duration: about 3 h (one way). Walking time without stops: 2 h 30 min.

Difficulty: High. The climb is very steep almost all the way up.

Suggestions: Possibility of continuing to Monistrol, following the route: Crossing from El Bruc to Monistrol, along the Migdia stream.

Recommended equipment for the summer: Comfortable clothes, water and some food, sun protection and a walking stick for the ascent and descent.

How to get there?

The starting and ending point is the Bruc Residential (see in google maps)

-At bus company Monbus: Barcelona- Igualada line, pel Bruc. From Barcelona to the residential Bruc, the adult ticket costs 7,35 €. El Bruc residential stop, located just after the Serra d'Or restaurant.

-At carYou can take the A2 and exit at exit 575.

Itinerary:

(0h00min; 0,0 km) El Bruc residential (405 m). We are at the beginning of the urbanisation. We go up Avinguda de la Moreneta and then Avinguda de Can Jorba, at the end we go to the right and we see a dirt road.

(0h10min; 0,6 km) Track (425 m). This track will take us to Can Jorba. We walk among white pines and olive trees. You reach a tetrabifurcation called "els quatre camins" (the four paths), go straight on in the direction of El Bruc. Shortly after, turn right following the signs to Can Jorba and Montgròs. We see the impressive mountain in front of us.

(0h30min; 1.7 km) Junction (456 m). We go to the right along a dry torrent, where the "torrent de Migdia" and the "torrent del Bassal dels Gats" meet.

During the rainy season, an impressive flow of water can come down from the mountain. On the left we pass an old agricultural cistern protected by a trellis. We come out onto a track and go left.

(0h40min; 2,3 km) "Camí del Bassal dels Gats" (2,3 km) (489 m). This path, also called "de los Franceses", more or less follows the stream of the same name. We cross a considerable difference in altitude, alternating between Mediterranean areas with heather, white pines, viburnums... and more stony areas.

On the way we will spot pine cones eaten by an arboreal mammal, the squirrel, and possibly hear or see some wild goats. At around 700-800 metres we can see the transition from the pine forest to the more Mediterranean holm oak forest. We keep our eyes peeled and climb a path with "milestones" on the left.

(1h20min; 3,7 km) "Coll de l'Ajaguda" (Coll de l'Ajaguda) (829 m). The views are impressive, we see "la Ajaguda" (lying down in Spanish) with its curious hole, "el Montgròs" above us with "els Plecs de Llibre" (needle that resembles folds of leaves or books) and the "torrent del Migdia" through which we will go down.

We descend along a path through holm oaks and box trees.

(1h30min; 4,1 km) "Torrent del Canal de Migdia" (1h30min; 4,1 km) (815 m). We have reached the "gap" that splits Montserrat in two halves, at noon, hence the name. On the left we would find the Joc de l'Oca RavineWe go to the right through a dreamlike landscape. This path takes us through holm oaks and Mediterranean boxwoods, but the most surprising thing is the remnants of vegetation from relict times. Holly, maple and yew trees dot the route. We pass a rocky shelter and continue through this spot where an elf or goblin will appear at any moment.

"Box: The dangerous shuffleboard".

This tree contains some alkaloid toxins called taxins, present in the bark, leaves and seeds. Curiously, the reddish-coloured fleshy structure that forms the fruit is edible and is used by birds, such as crows, to disperse the seeds. The fame of this toxin reached the famous mystery writer, Agatha Christie. The well-known author, in her book "A Handful of Rye", uses the poisonous toxin extracted from a tree that the family has in the garden to "kill" the victim and, evidently, Miss Marple ends up solving the mystery.

(2h00min; 5,2 km) Montgròs detour (952 m). Here we have the option of visiting this unique peak in an hour or so (round trip). Bear in mind the occasional overpass, the steep climb and the steep descent. Shortly after the ascent we find the "Font de la Cadireta (The water is filtered and accumulates in an artificial reservoir with a lid. We then have to cross two rocky channels with a steep slope.

We arrive at a pass where we leave the PR that would go down and we do the last steep slope to the left.

(2h30min; 6,1 km) Montgròs ( 1133 m). We have a very wide panoramic view of many spires, Sant Jeroni, el Moro, la Albarda Castellana... After resting, we descend very carefully.

(2h55min; 6,1 km) "Torrent del Canal de Migdia" (Migdia Channel Torrent) (975 m). We come out a little higher than the previous point. Here we have two options, either to go back to the starting point or to follow the complete route, which we can find in the section on suggestions.