Here I explain in detail how to walk+funicular route between the monastery of Montserrat and the hermitages of Sant Miquel, Sant Joan, Sant Onofre and Santa Magdalena, which culminates in spectacular views of the spires of Montserrat and its surroundings.
Technical specifications
- Difficulty: Medium.
- Length: 8 km (approx.)
- Travel time: 3 h (approx.)
- Start: Plan of Tarantulas (top station of the Sant Joan funicular).
- End: Montserrat Monastery.
- Date of completion (photographs): May, 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€).
Photographer? Try to position yourself in the lower carriage and be amazed by the views! Of course, if you suffer from vertigo, better not look down 🙂 🙂
Plan of Tarantulas
Once you leave the top station of the funicular, you will find yourself on the Tarantulas plane, from which several trails start.
On a glazed map in front of the exit door, you will see this route represented under the identification 3a and 3, successively.
Hermitages of Sant Joan and Sant Onofre
To start route 3a, walk towards the viewpoint of the Tarantulas plane, leaving the maps behind, and take a wide, uncovered path that you will find on your right, following the signs to the hermitage of Sant Joan.
If you pay a little attention to the map at the bottom of the page you will see that you can't get lost (follow the red line).
In a few minutes you will have reached the new hermitage of Sant Joan, from which you will be able to appreciate the remains excavated in the rock of the ancient hermitages of Sant Joan and Sant Onofre.
Jacob's Ladder
Walking through the ruins of Sant Onofre you reach the last section of Jacob's stairs, visible from the main path.
Climb these few steps using the side rope that serves as a handrail.
When you reach the end, you will see that the path becomes steep and full of obstacles (fallen trees), which makes the ascent a little difficult. Don't give up and continue climbing, the reward is worth it..
Hermitage of Santa Magdalena
When you reach the ruins of what was the hermitage of Santa Magdalena, go a little towards the cliff to enjoy the panoramic view... but do not slow down too much. The best is yet to come.
To the left of the viewpoint there is a somewhat demanding cobblestone slope. If you dare with it and reach the top that hides behind the needle called Magdalena Superior, you will find the most spectacular view of the peaks of Montserrat that you will see on this route. the most spectacular perspective of the peaks of Montserrat that you will see on this route..
Return to the funicular
To start the second and last part of the route, route 3, retrace your steps back to the Tarantula plane.
Sant Miquel Chapel
To the left of the station, there is a paved path that, after a slight climb, descends winding down to the hermitage of Sant Miquel, the patron saint of Montserrat.
Shortly after passing the building, you can take a detour to the right and reach the Cross of San Miquel, a viewpoint with privileged views of the Abbey of Montserrat.
Continue along the paved road until you cross a gate and you will reach the foot of the funicular where you started the route.
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, the funicular routes or the transit along this path (added in blue on the map at the end of the entry), are interchangeable. That is, you can do the entire route on foot (the same route there and back), or skip the hermitage and the viewpoint of Sant Miquel taking a round-trip ticket by funicular (13 €).
Its hours of operation vary depending on the time of year, 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...).
- Mountain boots or, failing that, sneakers that grip your foot well (the downhill of the route to Sant Miquel can end up with your nails purple if you do not have the instep well fastened).
- A long sleeve or windbreaker even on the hottest days. In Montserrat the temperature is 3 to 5 degrees lower than in the villages at the foot of the mountain and the gusts of wind are strong on certain peaks.
- 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?
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.
- Hotel offers in the surroundings of Montserrat.
And now, some places near Montserrat that I can tell you about in first person:
- Circular route through Montserrat: Sant Jeroni.
- Salt del Salent circular route.
- Hiking route in the Alta Garrotxa: Beget-Rocabruna.
- Break your schemes in the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueras.