Circular route around Montserrat: from the monastery to the summit of Sant Jeroni

Discover how to walk the circular route from the monastery of Montserrat to the top of Sant Jeroni, the highest panoramic viewpoint of the massif.

Technical specifications

• Difficulty: Medium.
• Length: 7 km (approx). 
• Elevation gain: 525 m.
• Travel time: 2 h 45 min (approx.)
• Start: Plan of Tarantulas (top station of the Sant Joan funicular).
• End: Montserrat Monastery.
• Date of completion (photographs): June, 2018.

Route in detail

Sant Joan Funicular

When you arrive at the Monastery of Montserrat, go to the foot of the funicular and buy a one-way ticket (8.45€).

If you want to take pictures on your way up, take the lower carriage. But don't worry, you will get better defined pictures of the monastery from the walking route itself.

Plan of Tarantulas

As soon as you leave the top station of the funicular (located in the Plano de las Tarantulas), take the road on your right following the sign to Sant Jeroni.

If you pay attention to the signs and the map at the bottom of the page you will see that you can't get lost (follow the yellow line).

From this same point there are other alternative routes, such as the one that takes you to the hermitages of Sant Joan, Sant Onofre and Santa Magdalena. Or the alternative access route to the funicular that passes by the hermitage of Sant Miquel and the cross-viewpoint of the same name.

Walking among needles

A few minutes after starting the trail, the spires known as Prenyada, L'Elefant and La Momia, among others, will appear on your right.

Remember to look down because here you will enjoy some of the best panoramic views over the Monastery of Montserrat.

The path continues uncovered to the base of the Phrygian Cap. You will recognize it by the cross that crowns its highest point. If you pay attention you will probably be able to tell the difference between the climbers who climb to its summit or that of neighboring peaks.

After a passage between rocks, you reach the first viewpoint of the route:

Serra dos Paparres Viewpoint

This esplanade offers spectacular views to the southwest of the massif.

It is not protected from the sun so, in the middle of June, it was impossible to stay and eat there and enjoy the views as long as they deserved. However, if you go in autumn, spring or winter (not too cold), for sure this place is perfect for an after-dinner meal in the middle of nature (without a table, of course) 😉.

Walking among trees

From this point on, you walk along a path protected by the shade of the trees. The panoramic views of the mountain full of cliffs and stone spires seems taken from a modernist fairy tale. I'm telling you.

Just after crossing a small wooden bridge over the torrent of Santa Maria (in summer you have to use your imagination to see the course of the water), there is a junction with the detour to the Pla dels Ocells that you must take on the way back.

But, right now, keep going up the paved road on the right towards the Sant Jeroni hermitage.

Hermitage and peak of Sant Jeroni

After crossing a small forest you find the hermitage of Sant Jeroni, which, as I found, today serves to accumulate material for fire prevention and control.

To the left you will see a steep path that climbs up to the viewpoint. Take a deep breath and concentrate, because now comes the best part.

It is possible that when you reach the first viewpoint below Sant Jeroni you wish it was the end of the road. However, the stairway to the top continues. Keep in mind that you must reach 1236 m of altitude.

There is a railing to hold on to throughout the climb and even people who suffer from vertigo can climb to the top without any problems (yes, on my family hike we carried a copy and a half of these) 🙂 .

Stand up and rest as many times as you need to. You can even sit on the side of the stairs if you want. But get to the top of Sant Jeroni, it's worth it.

Return: Pla dels Ocells

Retrace your steps back to the crossroads you found at the beginning of the paved road.

There, take the detour that zigzags downhill in the shade of the trees towards the Pla dels Ocells. You will see that the dirt path continues downhill protected from the sun thanks to the vegetation of the area.

When you reach the next fork, choose the route that goes to the Monastery and always keep that direction from now on.

French Pass

Shortly after you will find the almost endless stairs(it's an exaggeration, I know, I'm from the south, but still...) that descend to the Monastery of Montserrat, passing through the famous Pass of the French.

They are long and numerous(in case that wasn't clear with the "almost infinite"), so arm yourself with patience 🙂

For a while they pass next to the Santa María stream, which must be beautiful in the rainy season(I will come back).

When they finish, you arrive at a public fountain on the main street of Montserrat that will taste like glory and a map where you will see that you have just traveled route number 1.

Knee problems? Think twice before coming down here.

Alternatives

The road that joins both ends of the funicular and passes by the Sant Miquel hermitage is actually the service road that you must use when the funicular is closed.

Therefore, you can do the entire route on foot if you skip the funicular and take this road uphill (blue line on the map at the end of this post).

You can also return to the top station of the funicular if, instead of going down to Pla dels Ocells, you retrace your steps after visiting Sant Jeroni (recommended for weak knees). If this is your intention, buy a round-trip ticket for a cheaper price (13€).

The funicular's hours of operation vary depending on the time of year, with the funicular being closed for most of the winter. You can check the frequency and official opening hours for 2018 here.

What to bring

• Enough water (have you heard about recyclable filter bottles?) and something to eat (nuts, a sandwich, a piece of fruit...).
• Hiking boots or, failing that, sneakers that grip the foot well.
• A long sleeve or windbreaker. In Montserrat the temperature drops by 3 to 5 degrees compared to the villages at the foot of the mountain and wind gusts in Sant Jeroni can be very strong.
• Sun protection: sunscreen, hat, sunglasses...

Remember not to leave trash behind. Please return with all the waste you generate and leave it in the appropriate container when you return to the monastery street. Helping to keep Montserrat and any other mountain as clean and authentic as you found it is that easy. Thank you.

Where to stay

Living close to Montserrat, I am fortunate to be able to make day trips and return home at the end of the day.

Are you traveling?

Here are some options.

Useful Links

• Timetables and prices of the Sant Joan funicular.
• Official website of hiking in the Montserrat massif.
• 5% discount when you take out your adventure travel insurance with IATI.
• Flights to Catalonia: Trabber, eDreams, Momondo and Vueling.
• Hotel offers in the surroundings of Montserrat.

More trekking in Montserrat and other destinations in Catalonia:

• Montserrat route: funicular-Santa Magdalena-San Miquel-monastery.
• Salt del Salent circular route.
• Hiking route in the Alta Garrotxa: Beget-Rocabruna.
• Break your schemes in the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueras.

Do you want me to describe any other hiking route in Montserrat? Tell me which one you are interested in the comments and, if I haven't already done it, I will go through it to tell you all the details.

Map