Crossing from El Bruc to Monistrol, along the Migdia stream

On this route we will cross the massif, from west to east, along a cleft that splits it in two, "the torrent o Migdia canal". Accompanied by relict vegetation such as holly, yew and maple trees, we will arrive at the "Portell del Migdia"from where we will have an exciting descent down the "Font de la Llum canal"We will walk to the base of the massif. If we are strong enough, on the way we have the option to visit the Montgròsrocky vantage point with incredible views.

Summary

From El Bruc we walk along a stretch of farmland, while we can see the silhouette of the massif in front of us. We go up the "Bassal dels Gats" stream until we join the "canal del Migdia". Here we will enter this closed forest, to visit, first, the spring of "la Cadireta" and climb to the Montgròs watchtower, through the Salamandra channel. We continue up the stream until we reach the "Portell del Migdia". Now we are left with the most complicated part, the descent along the "Font de la Llum" channel with its fountain, which will allow us to reach the base of the massif and the monastery of Santa Cecília. Then the marks of the PR will lead us to the monastery of Sant Benet and along the Angel path to the village of Monistrol.

Technical specifications

Distance: 15 km ?

Cumulative difference in altitude: +745 m/ -1007 m

WaterOn the route, there are two fountains: the Cadireta, with water that is difficult to access, and the Llum, which usually has water but with very little flow. At the end of the route we can find the public fountains and shops of Monistrol.

Duration: about 7 hours. Walking time without stops: 5 h 30 min.

Difficulty: High. The slope is very steep in the first part of the route. The very eroded terrain between the "Portell del Migdia" and part of the "camí de la Font de la Llum" make the descent very technical.

Suggestions: If you have the strength, the historic centre of Monistrol is worth a leisurely visit.

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?

Transport to the starting point:

- 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.

Transport from the point of completion:

– FGC. Monistrol de Montserrat stop. An adult ticket to Barcelona costs €5.75. FGC website

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.

"Box Fragrances and resins".

In this first part of the route we will be intoxicated by the smells of pine resin and the fragrance of the rosemary trees that abound on the ascent. Let us not forget that these substances are highly flammable and this is one of the adaptations of Mediterranean forests to fire. In this way the fire would pass voraciously and the fire-adapted seeds would subsequently germinate. This is not the only survival strategy; holm oaks and junipers have opted for the ability to resprout from their roots, even if their aerial part has been burnt.

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.

(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 left a little higher than the previous point.

(3h00min; 6,8 km) Fork to "Camell de Sant Jeroni" (980 m). We leave this turning to the right and continue uphill.

(3h10min; 7,0 km) "Portell de Migdia" (Portell de Migdia) (1029 m). We are at the "portal del mediodía", the pass that divides the Ecos area to the left and Sant Jeroni to the right. Now we will go down the slippery "canal de la Llum", the slope and the unstable path will make us take extreme precautions. We recommend going down on the left side, where there is more vegetation to hold on to.

We reach a small clearing with a holly tree in the middle, from where a path leads off to the left, which we take.

(3h30min; 7,5 km) "Font de la Llum" (Fountain of Light) (925 m). Located in a mine and protected by rocks that form a cavity, it is one of the few fountains in Montserrat with a perennial water source. It is said that the name "fountain of light" comes from the need to carry lighting to fetch water.

We turn back and go down a slightly more bearable path.

(3h40min; 7,9 km) Start of the "Canal de la Font de la Llum". (816 m). We go to the right along the GR-172, along a flat stretch between holm oaks and strawberry trees. At a signpost we leave the GR and turn left to the road. Walk about 100 metres along the road.

(4h00min; 9.0 km) Santa Cecília (624 m). We arrive at this monastery, which is currently used as an art gallery. Continue along the hard shoulder on the left-hand side of this road.

(4h15min; 10,0 km) "Baixada dels Matxos" (Matxos Crossing) ( 650 m). We take this old mule track that allows us to descend in continuous loops to the lower road.

We leave the "Colònia Puig". on our left. This building was used as a hotel at the beginning of the 20th century and as a hospital during the Civil War, and is now in a very deteriorated state. We continue a little further and take a path on the right.

(4h30min; 11,0 km) Monastery of Sant Benet (532 m). Religious monastery inhabited by Benedictine nuns.

The path zigzags downhill between open areas with views of Monistrol, agricultural walls, woods, clayey terrain...

(4h55 min; 12.5 km) Road BP-1121 (312 m). Walk a few metres to the right along the road, until you reach a path on the left again.

(5h10min; 13,3 km) Start of the "Camí de l'Àngel". (198 m). This was one of the bridle paths leading to the monastery of Montserrat, before the road was built. We enter the town centre of Monistrol, specifically along Carrer Germana Pilar. We go down some stairs on the left and take carrer del Puig on the right. We go down Germanes Dominiques street and arrive at the Plaça de la Font Gran.

(5h15min; 13,7 km) "Plaça de la Font Gran" (5h15min; 13,7 km) (167 m). We find the town hall and the "Font Gran". This fountain supplies water to the whole municipality. We leave along Carrer de Sant Pere and then Carrer del Pont. We pass the C-55 through an underpass and cross the Llobregat by a gothic bridge, until we reach the neighbourhood of "l'Altra Banda" (the other side). We go up Pujada de l'Estació street.

Delete piece in track

(5h30min; 15,0 ?km) FGC stop. Monistrol de Montserrat (133 m).