Circular from the monastery of Montserrat to the Miranda de Santa Magdalena, passing through Sant Joan and Sant Onofre.

On this simple route we will see rocky spires, hermitages and we will have time to enjoy the Montserrat monastery enclosure. We will see the traces of the massif's eremitical past and we will climb to an exceptional viewpoint, the Miranda de Santa Magdalena.

Summary

The first part of the route first follows a paved and then asphalted track, which will gradually lead us to a higher altitude. We can enjoy the surroundings and visit the two hermitages along the route, Sant Joan and Sant Onofre, the latter of which is built into the mountain and we will walk around the inside of it. We will then climb up to the Miranda de Santa Magdalena and descend following the PR marks and the steep descent of the Pas dels Francesos, which will take us back to the monastery.

Datasheeta

Distance: ?? kms

Cumulative difference in altitude: ?? m

Timetable: Approximately 3.5 hours. Walking time without stops: 2.5 hours.

Difficulty: Practically all of the paths are signposted and marked with signs. The climb up to Miranda de Santa Magdalena has a steep gradient.

Water points: Bars and shops in the monastery

Suggestions: Possibility to visit the monastery grounds at leisure or to combine it with a tour of the monasteries. "Degotalls

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

How to get there?

The starting point of this tour is the Montserrat Monasterywhich can be accessed in different ways:

– By car by road from Monistrol (9 kms) or from El Bruc (14kms). In total, 60 kms from Barcelona. The parkingThe campsite, which runs parallel to the BP - 1121 access road to the monastery, fills up very easily on public holidays. Price: 6,50€/day.

– In the "aeri"This "aeri" is an aerial cabin or basket that takes five minutes and costs €8.6 one way and €13 return (adult). There are two ways to get there, by car or by FGC, and get off at the "Aeri de Montserrat" stop.

– In the Zip: This train takes 15 minutes. Price: €8.1 one way and €13.50 return (adult). The rack railway stop can be reached by the FGC, at the stop at Monistrol de Montserrat or by car, leaving it at the parking free of charge.

Itinerary

(0h00 min; 0,0km) Montserrat Monastery (724 m). If you arrive by car, you will have to climb a little up the road. If you arrive by plane, you will also have to climb a few metres, while the rack railway will leave you a little higher up. We go up towards the Plaça Abat Oliba, where we find the entrance to the monastery grounds, several shops and a large yew tree in the middle. The monastery was founded in 1025 and houses a community of Benedictine monks and the choir of choirboys. Inside the monastery is the original carving of the "The Virgin Mary".Moreneta"The legend says that some shepherds found it in the "Santa Cova" in the 9th century. There is a museum, restaurants, cafés, hotels... Here we take a cobbled path uphill through some cedar and holm oak woods. On our right we will see the Santa Cova Funicular stop and a little later the road to the Miranda de Fra Garí. In Montserrat, we find many "mirandas", these names refer to high peaks where we can contemplate extensive views. In Latin it would mean "worthy of being admired". We pass the camping area to our left, while we contemplate views of the neighbouring pre-coastal mountain range of Sant Llorenç del Munt. You pass a barrier, which is unusual, but park vehicles drive through here.

(0h20 min; 1,2km) Turn-off "Creu de Sant Miquel". (815 m). We climb a few more metres.

(0h25 min; ?km) Sant Miquel Chapel (841 m)

We see it on the right. We continue climbing until we pass a pond.

(0h30 min; ?? km) Detour "Camí vell Monasterio a Collbató". (867 m). On the left is this path that will allow us to descend to the town of Collbató.

We continue climbing through a young holm oak grove, surrounded by the characteristic blue flowers of the "foixarda" (foixarda in Catalan) and aromatic plants such as thyme and rosemary.

(0h55 min; ?? km) Pla de les Taràntules (994 m). In this flat area, located in the so-called Tebes region, the Sant Joan funicular railway that comes from the monastery ends. A little further on, on the right, you will pass the stairs of JacobThe chapel of Santa Magdalena used to be accessed by these 91 steps, before the construction of the path along which we are walking.

(1h05 min; ??km) Sant Joan Hermitage (1033 m). This hermitage is from the 19th century and has a bell tower. We go up a little further and turn right. On the left we would have the path that would allow us to go down to Collbató. We entered the Sant OnofreThis hermitage was built taking advantage of a natural cave, formerly accessed by a wooden bridge and 60 steps dug into the rock. It had a wall that allowed it to have several rooms, which we will have to go through on our route, we pass by a water cistern excavated in the rock and we arrive at Jacob's stairs.

We climb them and reach a path. A little further on you will find the turn-off to the hermitage and Miranda de Santa Magdalena. Nowadays, only the remains of some walls, steps and cisterns remain of the hermitage; its past was more splendid. In the past, there was a castle belonging to Abbot Cisneros, which was later converted into a hermitage, around 1498. It was accessed by a path carved into the stone, later a road was opened. It was destroyed by the French in 1812. We climb a little further and reach the top.

(1h25min; ?? km) Miranda Santa Magdalena (1132 m) After seeing the imposing monoliths of the Thebes region, of which the "Miranda Superior" and the "Gorra Frígia" stand out, we continue downhill along a path and later along a steep flight of stairs until we reach a wider path.

(1h40min; ?? km) Road to Sant Jeroni (1014 m)

We are on the track that would take us to the left to the top of Montserrat, Sant Jeroni (1236 m). We go to the right, through an area that is more frequented by walkers. Shortly after, on the left, we go up some steps, which will lead us to the PR C-19. We go downhill, passing the Santa Anna Vella cave and the Santa Marta stream.

(2h00 min.; ?? km) Santa Anna Chapel (883 m)

Currently under reconstruction, with a cistern. We reach a clearing, the square of Santa Anna. A little later we leave the PR and go down some stairs marked as GR.

We go down the stepped section, pass the stream, a wooden bridge and little by little we get closer to the monastery enclosure.

(2h30 min; ?? km) Monastery of Montserrat (724 m)