Overview
If you want to combine a Barcelona citybreak with a hiking one, this four day, self-guided walking holiday in and around Montserrat Mountain, with a chance to stay at the iconic Montserrat Monastery, is divine. Although the monastery is well known for daytrippers, its surrounding walking trails are much less so, many of which are located in and protected by Montserrat Natural Park. Staying in the same location throughout in the monastery complex, you can walk to the top of Sant Jeroni which, at 1,236m, is the highest point of Montserrat. There are many highs to fit into this short break, which will make you feel like you’ve been away for much longer than you have.
- Montserrat Natural Park
- Montserrat Monastery
- Sant Jeroni (1,236m)
- Roca Foradada
- Montserrat Mountain
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Montserrat
Arrive in Montserrat, located in Montserrat Natural Park, either by the Cremallera railway from Monistrol de Montserrat or the Aeri cable car, before settling into tonight’s accommodation within the Montserrat Monastery complex. Be sure to visit the basilica, which houses the statue of the Black Madonna (La Moreneta), a significant religious icon on this pilgrimage destination. If time allows, do the short hike to the sacred cave shrine of the Santa Cova.
If you prefer to be accommodated outside of the monastery, we can organise for you to upgrade your stay in El Bruc. Note that the hotel rooms of Hostal Abat Cisneros in Montserrat are not fitted with an air conditioning system.
- Accommodation: Hostal Abat Cisneros in Montserrat
- Upgraded accommodation: Hotel Can Farrés in El Bruc
Day 2: Circular hike to Sant Jeroni | 10km
The circular route heads south and passes the Creu de Sant Miquel and the Emita de Sant Miquel just outside the monastery, following a mix of forested paths and rocky terrain to the Funicular de Sant Joan. This stretch runs along the southern flanks of the mountain, offering shifting views of Montserrat’s skyline. The path then leads to the summit of Sant Jeroni which, at 1,236m, is the highest point of Montserrat. Return to the monastery via the old path of Sant Jeroni.
- Hiking for the day: 4-5h, 10km, ↑644m ↓644m
Day 3: Can Maçana circular walk | 7.3km
You are transferred to Can Maçana to begin the second hike of the tour. The route heads east to the ruins of the Ermita de Sant Pau Vell. The trail then goes past La Foradada, a landmark triangular-shaped rock with an enormous hole in it, measuring 10m high and 6m wide. The second half of the route will follow the eastern and southern sides of the mountain, passing through the rocky descent of Pas de la Portella. When you get to Can Maçana, you are met and transferred back to the hotel.
- Hiking for the day: 3-4h, 7.3km, ↑602m ↓602m
Day 4: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour is in Hostal Abat Cisneros inside the monastery complex. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view sample hotels
- Hostal Abat Cisneros (Montserrat)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide you with the exact accommodation details upon booking confirmation.
Click to view upgraded hotels
- Hotel Can Farrés (El Bruc)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide you with the exact accommodation details upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. When no restaurant location is available en route, lunches and snacks can either be bought from local shops or packed lunches can be pre-ordered from some hotels the night before. Dinner is available from local restaurants.
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is rated easy to moderate. While hikes are mostly easy it may include sections with some moderate uphill or downhill elevations, read more about difficulty grades. Generally, the walking routes are well maintained but may involve some rougher terrain and steeper or exposed sections. The Can Maçana loop includes sections requiring sure-footedness, with varied terrain including rocky trails that can be steep, narrow or uneven. A good head for heights is essential if hiking up to La Foradada viewpoint, as this is not suitable for those with vertigo.
We strongly advise you to only follow marked trails and never try to shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed digital route notes and maps and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed information on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available all year round. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates and you can start your trip on any date within the season.
Montserrat can be busy during weekends and exceptionally crowded during major religious holidays such as Easter, when many pilgrims visit, making it less suitable for a peaceful experience.
The climate in this region of Catalonia is Mediterranean, characterised by hot, dry summers and mild winters. The most comfortable conditions for hiking are typically found in spring and autumn, when temperatures are moderate. During summer, particularly in July and August, daytime highs exceed 30C, so it’s advisable to begin the hike early in the day to avoid the peak heat. To find out more about when to go, take a look at our blogs, Best time to go to Catalonia and Best time to go to Spain.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
The recommended airport for this tour is Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN).
By train or bus
- If you are able to travel to Spain without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail, with a railway station in Monistrol de Montserrat. For more details, see the national rail operator Renfe or use the Omio planner above.
- If flying to Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, take the metro L9S to Europa | Fira station (20mins) or the bus 46 to Plaça Europa | Fira (25mins). From here take the R5 train line towards Manresa, which takes you to Monistrol de Montserrat in approximately 1h. In Monistrol de Montserrat, you can take the scenic rack train Cremallera de Montserrat to the monastery. Alternatively, you can get off the R5 train at Montserrat-Aeri (the station before Monistrol de Montserrat) and take the scenic cable car to the monastery.
- Private transfers to and from the airport or the railway station of Monistrol de Montserrat can be arranged on request.
Inclusions
Included
- 3 nights accommodation
- 3 breakfasts
- Return transfer from Montserrat to Can Maçana
- Digital Tour materials: detailed roadbook including maps (digital format), a navigation app for smartphones, GPS tracks. Please note that no printed documents will be provided on-site.
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- International flights and land transfers
- Lunches and dinners, drinks and snacks
- Tourist tax
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Additional travel-related changes in the programme due to bad weather
- Entrance fees for attractions including monasteries and museums
- Train and any transportation tickets
- Personal expenses
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own.
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Extra nights are available on request.
Spain’s legal requirement for personal information
Please note: in December 2024, the Spanish government introduced a new law making it a legal obligation for all visitors to Spain to share personal details with their accommodations and car rental companies. Consequently, as we book your accommodation for you, we are obliged to pass these on to our local partners on the ground. After booking your holiday, we will send you a form to complete requesting all the legally-required information, including: name, nationality, gender, passport number, DOB, address, phone numbers and email address. This applies to all travellers aged 14 and over. If you are travelling with people under 14 years old, you need to declare your relationship to them. We apologise for any inconvenience. For more information, see here.
