Here I explain in detail how to do the walking + funicular route between the Montserrat Monastery and the hermitages of Sant Miquel, Sant Joan, Sant Onofre, and Santa Magdalena, which culminates in spectacular views of the Montserrat needles and its surroundings.
Technical details
- Difficulty: Moderate.
- Distance: 8 km (approx.)
- Hiking time: 3 hours (approx.)
- Start: Pla de les Taràntules (Sant Joan funicular upper station).
- End: Montserrat Monastery.
- Date completed (photos): May, 2018.
Detailed trail guide
Sant Joan Funicular
Once you arrive at the Montserrat Monastery, head to the base of the funicular and buy a one-way ticket (€8.45).
Photographer? Try to get a spot in the lower carriage and prepare to be amazed by the views! That said, if you get vertigo, it's better not to look down. 🙂
Pla de les Taràntules
Once you leave the funicular's upper station, you'll find yourself at the Pla de les Taràntules, where several trails begin.
On a glass-encased map in front of the exit door, you'll see this route marked under identification 3a and 3, consecutively.
Hermitages of Sant Joan and Sant Onofre
To start route 3a, walk towards the Pla de les Taràntules viewpoint, leaving the maps behind, and take a wide, open trail that you'll find on your right, following the signs for Sant Joan Hermitage.
If you pay a bit of attention to the map at the bottom of the page, you'll see you can't get lost (follow the red line).
In just a few minutes you'll reach the new Sant Joan Hermitage, from which you can already see the remains carved into the rock of the ancient hermitages of Sant Joan and Sant Onofre.
Jacob's Ladder
Wandering through the ruins of Sant Onofre, you'll reach the final section of Jacob's Ladder, visible from the main trail.
Climb these few steps using the side rope that serves as a handrail.
When you reach the end, you'll see that the trail becomes steep and full of obstacles (fallen trees), making the climb a bit tricky. Don't give up and keep climbing—the reward is well worth it.
Santa Magdalena Hermitage
When you reach the ruins of what used to be Santa Magdalena Hermitage, walk a bit towards the cliff edge to take in the panoramic view… but don't stop there for too long. The best is yet to come.
To the left of the viewpoint, a somewhat demanding rocky slope climbs up. If you're up for the challenge and make it to the top hidden behind the needle called Magdalena Superior, the most spectacular perspective of the Montserrat peaks you'll see on this route awaits you.
Returning to the funicular
To start the second and final leg of the journey, route No. 3, retrace your steps back to Pla de les Taràntules.
Sant Miquel Hermitage
To the left of the station, a paved path begins that, after a slight climb, winds downhill all the way to the Sant Miquel Hermitage, the patron of Montserrat.
Shortly after passing the building, you can branch off to the right to reach the Creu de Sant Miquel, a viewpoint with privileged views of Montserrat Abbey.
Follow the paved road until you cross a gate, and you'll arrive at the base of the funicular where you began the route.
Alternatives
The path connecting both ends of the funicular and passing by Sant Miquel Hermitage is actually the service trail you should use when the funicular is closed.
Therefore, taking the funicular or hiking this trail (added in blue on the map at the end of the post) are interchangeable. In other words, you can hike the entire route on foot (the same out-and-back route), or skip the Sant Miquel Hermitage and viewpoint by buying a round-trip funicular ticket (13€).
Its operating hours vary depending on the season, and it is even closed for most of the winter. You can check the official frequency and opening hours for 2018 here.
What to bring
- Plenty of water (have you heard of filtered reusable bottles?) and something to eat (nuts, a sandwich, a piece of fruit…).
- Hiking boots or, failing that, trainers with good foot support (the downhill stretch of the route to Sant Miquel can leave your toenails bruised if your instep isn't held securely).
- A long-sleeve top or windbreaker, even on the hottest days. At Montserrat, the temperature drops by 3 to 5 degrees compared to the towns at the foot of the mountain, and gusts of wind can be strong on certain peaks.
- Sun protection: sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses…
Remember to leave no trace. Please pack out all the trash you produce and drop it into the appropriate bin once you're back at the monastery street. Helping to keep Montserrat—and any other mountain—as clean and pristine as you found it is just that simple. Thank you.
Where to sleep
Living close to Montserrat, I'm lucky enough to be able to do day trips and head back home at the end of the day.
Are you traveling?
Useful links
- Sant Joan funicular timetables and prices.
- Official website for hiking in the Montserrat massif.
- 5% discount when booking your adventure travel insurance with IATI.
- Hotel deals around Montserrat.
And now, here are a few places near Montserrat that I can tell you about firsthand:
- Circular hiking route in Montserrat: Sant Jeroni.
- Salt del Sallent circular route.
- Hiking trail in Alta Garrotxa: Beget-Rocabruna.
- Challenge your perspective at the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres.