Easy Montserrat Hermitage Circular Hike from Monastery

About this Easy Montserrat Hermitage Route

This route is ideal for visitors who want to spend two hours exploring the Montserrat Monastery before setting out on a 7 km EASY circular hike through the Montserrat mountain range. The trail starts and finishes at the monastery, making it perfect for a family-friendly day trip from Barcelona.

For a detailed guide to the monastery itself, including the Black Madonna and basilica highlights, see the dedicated Montserrat Monastery page.

Allow 3 to 4 hours to complete the hike at a relaxed pace, including time to enjoy the viewpoints and hermitage ruins along the way.

If you are looking for a more challenging climb to the highest peak of the Montserrat mountain, try the Sant Jeroni summit hike, which offers panoramic views across Catalonia.

Easy Montserrat Mountain Hiking Route Description

The hike begins at Montserrat Monastery, which can be visited before setting out. Start from Plaça de l’Abat, where you’ll find a large drinking water fountain — the only reliable source along the trail. Carry at least two litres of water.

From the fountain, climb the steps behind it to a statue in an alcove, then turn left across the bridge onto Pas de les Franceses. This path follows the Santa Maria River valley, ascending via concrete steps cut into the mountain before reaching the Santa Anna hermitage, a ruin with views back down towards the monastery.

Continue past Santa Anna along a forest trail towards the Sant Joan Funicular upper station, passing small hermit caves known as Santa Anna Cova Vella. At the funicular station, it’s worth visiting the upper floor patio viewpoint, which offers dramatic panoramas, and you’ll also find vending machines for drinks and snacks.

From here, follow the gravel and concrete road uphill towards Sant Joan Chapel. A short detour leads to the cliff‑side ruins of Santa Onofre and Sant Joan hermitages, built into the rock face. After exploring, return to the main road.

Back at the funicular, continue along the Camí de les Hermitages, a rural gravel and concrete track. This section climbs gently before descending towards the Sant Miquel chapel. To the right of the road, a ridge path offers superb views down towards Colbató and across the Montserrat mountain range — a scenic alternative to the gravel track.

Past Sant Miquel chapel, look for a narrow track on the right leading to the Creu de Sant Miquel, an iron cross monument with commanding views of the monastery complex. This viewpoint is a highlight of the route and should not be missed.

Return to the main trail and continue downhill past several monuments back to the monastery. The paths are well marked, but occasional junctions can be confusing, so I recommend following the Wikiloc hiking trail map linked below.

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Visiting Easy Montserrat Hermitages Walking Route

Arrive at the Montserrat Monastery around 10:00h to avoid the busiest crowds. Begin with a visit to the basilica and, if you wish, see the Black Madonna statue behind the altar. Access is via a side door to the right of the basilica and requires a small fee of 3.50€.

The Montserrat mountain range is extremely dry; rivers only carry water briefly after heavy rainstorms. Do not discard cigarettes and note that fires, including for cooking, are strictly prohibited.

Carry at least 2 litres of water and apply sun cream throughout the hike. Shade is limited along the trail, especially near the hermitage ruins and viewpoints.

Hiking the Easy Montserrat Hermitages Route with a Dog

This circular hike is suitable for dogs. The first section towards Santa Anna hermitage is quieter, while the area around the Sant Joan funicular and Sant Joan chapel can be busy with hikers. Ensure your dog is comfortable around people and other pets.

On the return via Sant Miquel chapel, you may encounter a feral cat colony. Take care at the Creu de Sant Miquel viewpoint, as there are steep drops from unprotected ledges. The mountain is covered with mixed woodland — oak, beech, and occasional pines — so the risk of encountering Pine Processionary Caterpillars in spring and summer is low compared to other Montserrat hiking trails.

Where to Eat in Montserrat

From the main square, follow the descending ramped street lined with orange trees into Plaça Abat Oliba. Here you’ll find the Queviures supermarket, selling sandwiches, drinks, and local food gifts such as honey. Opposite is a small cafeteria, and there is also a public drinking fountain in the square.

Opposite the Cremallera station is the Montserrat Buffet Restaurant, a cafeteria‑style venue offering traditional Catalan dishes, sandwiches, cakes, and drinks — ideal for refuelling after your hike.

What to take for Easy Montserrat Hermitages Walking Route

This is an easy circular walking route around the Montserrat mountain. Carry a small rucksack with essentials, including a basic first aid kit. An emergency waterproof jacket is optional, depending on the weather forecast.

Bring at least 2 litres of water, as there are no refill points along the trail. Comfortable footwear is recommended — lightweight hiking shoes or boots are ideal for the rocky and uneven paths near the hermitage ruins and viewpoints.

Tickets for Easy Montserrat Hermitages Walking Route

Getting to Easy Montserrat Hermitages Walking Route

Address: Monestir de Montserrat, Monistrol de Montserrat, 08199

The easiest way to reach the Montserrat Monastery is with the Trans Montserrat ticket, which includes train ticket from Barcelona to Monistrol de Montserrat and then a transfer on to the Cremallera rack railway from Monistrol up to the monastery. This option is convenient and covers multiple transport modes in one pass.

Alternatively, you can ascend using the Aeri de Montserrat cable car, which offers dramatic views of the mountain as you approach. Both options connect directly to the monastery complex.

For a detailed comparison of ticket types and prices, see the Montserrat day trip prices section.

About Sant Joan Funicular

Wikiloc Trail for Easy Montserrat Hermitages Walking Route

a0158 - Easy Montserrat Walking route

A circular walk from Montserrat monastery via Santa Anna Hermitage ruins, Sant Joan Chapel and hermatige, Sant Miquel chappel and cross viewpoint.

Transport: FGC & cable car Fare: €33.45 Distance: 7.07 Difficulty: Easy

What is Wikiloc?

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Weather for Easy Montserrat Hermitages Walking Route

Mountain Forecast weather for Montserrat Mountain

Where to stay near Easy Montserrat Hermitages Walking Route

At Montserrat Monastery, there are three hotels and one campsite.

Montserrat Abat Marcet
Hotel Abat Cisneros
Apartamentos Montserrat Abat Marcet
Area Esportiva i d'Acampada de Montserrat Is a simple and cheap campsite (3.5 Euros per tent + 4 Euros per adult) about 10 minutes walk from the Monastery via the Sant Miquel path towards Creu de Sant Miquel. Only open in the summer months and can be booked by calling (+34) 93 77 77 77. Popular with mountain Climbers.