Enjoy the views of Montserrat and La Mola walking through one of the most complete circular routes of the natural park of Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac.
It passes through Castellsapera, Torre de l'Obac, Caus Cremats, Puig Codina and Roca del Corb in the same day.
Technical specifications
- Difficulty: moderate.
- Length: 12 km (circular).
- Elevation gain: 310 m.
- Travel time: 5-6 hours enjoying (3h on the move).
- Sun exposure: 40-60% shade
- Start: Parking lot in front of La Barata farm.
- End: Parking lot in front of the La Barata estate.
- Completion date (photographs): April, 2021.
A route with a view of the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac Park
This route has two of my favorite panoramic views that can be seen from the park as it runs through the part of the park that is right between two natural wonders: the Montserrat massif and La Mola.
Although most of the trail is easy, it has some specific points of high difficulty and is also a bit long for very young children. Therefore, if you decide to do it as a family it is better that the kids are already quite self-sufficient and are used to walking in the mountains.
Shall we start the walk?
Parking in front of the private estate La Barata
If you go from Matadepera towards the village of Talamanca, you will find a small parking area on the shoulder in front of the private estate (La Barata), a few meters before reaching the parking lot of L'Alzina del Sal-lari from where other routes of the park depart.
You can park in battery in the wider area or leave your car in line on the dirt shoulder. As long as you do not occupy the roadway (do not leave the line) there will be no problem 🙂 🙂
From here you must walk along the shoulder of the road (watch out for traffic) towards the north (towards Talamanca) until you find a marked trail on the left, once past the farm.
Important: you will find a path on the right that seems parallel to the road, don't take it! I know you feel much more like walking without the smoke and stress of cars but that path will prevent you from taking the start of the route (it does not connect).
Ascent to Castellsapera
The beginning of the route runs in the shade of the forest for almost 2 km, at which point you gain altitude and the views clear so you can enjoy the Mola on one side.
About 500 meters later you re-enter a tree-covered trail as you take an intersection to the right that enters the forest uphill instead of following the dirt path.
You will return by the path that you left on the left (that dirt path), so at this point you could do the "loop" of Castellsapera in reverse, but I do not recommend it.
The climb up and down to Castellsapera (a rock formation with heart-stopping views) is quite challenging. Once it was done I was glad I took the route in the direction I did. The opposite can be even more demanding.
If you take the path to the right, you walk about 500-600 meters between trees to come out a few meters from the foot of Castellsapera.
You will still have to walk a few more meters along the edge of this formation to find the climb (very steep, you will have to use your hands) to the top.
We missed the beginning of that climb because the road seems to follow and the turnoff is quite hidden, but if you follow the Wikiloc map I leave you below you will have no problems (and you will see where we turned off and had to turn back). 😅
The views of Montserrat from Castellsapera
With how hard it is to climb and how impressive the panoramic view from the top of Castellsapera is, you can't blame me for staying up to almost an hour at the top enjoying the scenery and eating my well-deserved homemade tortilla sandwich. 😁
Framed between the rock formations so characteristic of the Park of Sant Llorenç, as the Paller de tot l'Any (Haystack of all the year) and the Roca Salvatge (this one needs no translation), the massif of Montserrat shines with its strata and pinnacles of stone.
There are landscapes that I will never get tired of seeing and this is one of them.
Path to the watchtower at Turó de la Mamella
As I mentioned before, the descent from Castellsapera is quite steep, but very short. Soon you reach the path that you discarded on the way up (yes, you arrive almost upside down on all fours, like the girl from the exorcist).
This part of the route is quite flat (no more slopes for a while) but little protected from the sun compared to the previous part.
Halfway between Castellsapera and the watchtower you can see an old Pou de Glaç (ice well). I don't know how it was used but I promise to find out the next time I come across one in this park.
The watchtower is located on the Turó de la Mamella (teat hill) and offers beautiful views of Montserrat, the Paller de tot l'Any, the Roca Salvatge and Castellsapera in the background.
Meeting at the Obac Tower
Shortly before reaching the guard house you leave a detour to the left that you must now take and you will soon arrive at the Torre de l'Obac, a very photogenic red brick construction, just like the views it offers 🙂
Towards the Caus Cremats peak
From the Torre de l'Obac you take a wide path, very easy to walk along which official park vehicles probably pass from time to time.
For 1.4 km you walk downhill on this dirt and stone path with almost no shade and then enter the forest again.
But yes, it's time to go up again, and quite a lot!
As you begin to gain altitude the views of the Mola return.
Caus Cremats is a good place to regain strength before the final ascent.
Shall we continue?
Reaching Puig Codina and Roca del Corb
At this point the road has little (if any) shade, so hopefully the sun won't be beating down on you when you get here.
The climb is easy at this point and at the summits of Puig Codina (kitchen peak) and Roca del Corb (crow's rock) the wind is likely to give you a refreshing gust. So, take heart!
You're almost there, but remember to enjoy the views. This is where they end 🙂 🙂
Descent to the parking lot
From the Roca del Corb at the beginning of the route there is a steep descent through trees at the start.
It is easy to walk around and is almost completely protected in the shade, but for sensitive knees or toenails with a tendency to purple it can be a delicate moment.
Tighten your boot laces well at this point to prevent your foot from slipping forward. I tell you this from experience. 5 months later I still haven't recovered the original color of some nails.
In 1.5 km you will be back at your vehicle.
Itinerary on Wikiloc
Do you want to follow this route on Wikiloc?
You can see the route on the map in this link.
What to bring
- Food: put in your backpack whatever you feel like eating during the excursion, bearing in mind that you will be spending at least half a day. Some inspiration: sandwiches, fruit, dried fruit, cookies...
- Water: we did not find a source on the road, so carry at least 1.5 or 2 liters per person and leave some in the car for the return trip (if it is in a cool bag or cogelada better, because the vehicle will spend the day in the sun).
- Sun protection: half of the trail is uncovered, so be sure to bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen...
- Clothing: light clothing and hiking shoes.
- Travel insurance: if you are not a resident in Europe and if you want to travel without worries, book your IATI travel insurance through this link and get a 5% discount. They offer customizable coverage according to your needs and will pay all medical expenses in advance if you let them know in advance. I no longer travel outside Europe without them..
Where to stay
Living near the natural park of Sant Llorenç i l'Obac, I am fortunate to be able to make roundtrips and return home at the end of the day.
Are you traveling?
Useful Links
- Hotel offers in the area.
- Flights to Barcelona: Trabber, eDreams, Momondo and Vueling.
- Get 5% off when you purchase travel insurance with IATI.
Hiking in Catalonia? Take a look at these one-day routes:
- Family excursion to the Font de la Pola fountain
- Circular route through Montserrat: from the monastery to the top of Sant Jeroni.
- Montserrat route: funicular-Santa Magdalena-San Miquel-monastery.
- Salt del Salent circular route.
- Hiking route in the Alta Garrotxa: Beget-Rocabruna.
Do you have any suggestions for me about the natural park of Sant Llorenç i l'Obac? I'm all "eyes" for your comments 😉.