day trippin’: Montserrat
Montserrat is the mountain home of a famous Benedictine abbey, about an hour’s train ride from Barcelona. It’s also home to some pretty kick-ass hiking. Which is what lured me. Barcelona is wonderful, but I needed a little time out of the city.
According to my trusty pedometer, at its summit (San Jeroni, pictured at bottom left), I’d taken about 17,000 steps — roughly 9 miles. The hike was amazing and exhilarating and the natural beauty of the place just can’t be captured with words. Sometimes, even a camera couldn’t do it.
Details: The trip itself is very easy to make (visit the Tourist Information kiosk at Placa Espanya for tickets, train times, and easy to follow directions). Basically, you take an FCG train (Line R5) towards Manresa, hop off at Monserra Aeri, take the cable car up, up, up the mountain to the monastery and then follow the signs to the trail heads. Or, if you’re not feeling up to the hike, take the funicular up to St. Joan, and take any of the paths you find up there. They offer amazing views with much, much less effort.
Note: Currently, the train station at Placa Espanya is closed. But the tourist center there will sell you a train ticket that includes a subway pass, so you can get to the station now running the R5 line. It’s easy peasy.
Amazing pics. Just the pick-me-up I needed in the middle of working on snooze-fest type tasks, whilst fighting a cold. OK a brisk walk outside would have worked too, but more fun at the moment to live vicariously through you.. Thoroughly enjoying your trip, thanks for sharing!
Ooo that first picture gives me goose bumps. How beautiful
What amazing views! I love that you included photos of the honey with comb still in it and the mushrooms! Travel isn’t just pretty sights but good local food as well!!
Been there. It’s amazing!
I would have taken the long path, too. I never would have guessed you for a trekker!
Great site, be the way. I’m loving the photos and advice.