Montserrat Nature Hike Tour with Monastery and Museum
Description
Visit the fascinating Montserrat Natural Park and Monastery. We will enjoy a walk through the Mediterranean vegetation characterized by dense oak tree forest, boxwood bushes, and aromatic plants growing in the open meadows. We will tickle our sense of smell with wild rosemary, thyme, and lavender growing freely along the path. If we are lucky, we may spot the iconic wild goat of Montserrat confidently walking on the steep edges of the conglomerate rock. We will observe other animal tracks and signs of local fauna. We will visit the Basilica which hosts Saint Mary Virgin also called Black Madonna. At the end of our visit to Montserrat we will taste some locally produced cheeses and fig bread.
Tour Options
Itinerary
A small village on the foot of the Montserrat Mountain Range which provides access to the park.
Hike to our first viewpoint - the Saint Miquel's Cross, and enjoy the spectacular views of the Monastery, the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean. Discover a mountain trail passing by the chapel Saint Anna surrounded by dense boxwood bushes with wild boar tracks and signs where they feed on seeds and young plants.
Admire the Monastery & Saint Virgin Mary. We will enter the church to admire the impressive architecture. In the end, we will visit the farmers' market and taste some delicious locally produced cheese, honey, and fig bread.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Not recommended for travelers afraid of heights or travelers with vertigo
- Not recommended for travelers with low level of fitness and knee problems
Reviews(60)
We highly recommend the guides at World Adventour for your visit to Montserrat. Our knowledgeable guide: was always professional & congenial, listened to special needs anyone had, & included everyone in the group when explaining aspects of the area. The comfortable 1-hour drive from Barcelona to Montserrat was a pleasure. Yesterday our small group (6 people) had a very manageable hike while learning about many species of plants & trees; saw Mediterranean/Maltese falcons soaring above & below us; spotted an impressive Spanish Ibex ram; spent time in the art museum; toured the Basilica (& happened to see a wedding!); saw the Black Madonna in the Basilica; and tasted many different local cheeses & honeys at the Farmers’ Market at the end. We got back to Barcelona around 4pm, feeling much gratitude to Stepan for a beautiful day! ~Marilet & Liz
Stephan was a great guide. He offered the perfect amount of knowledge about local flora, fauna, history without taking away from the beautiful scenery of the hike. Be aware the first part of the hike is steep but after the initial climb it is a very easy walk. Would highly recommend if you enjoy hiking and beautiful views.
We were lucky to be able to get on this trip to Montserrat and have Stephan as guide. The weather was beautiful and especially the trekking in the mountains was fantastic. Stephan has a lot of experience and enthusiam which he gladly shared with us. Thanks a lot, Stephan. Highly recommended!
Stepan wad very friendly, knowledgeable and care for the seniors (6 of us). He gave us choice of what we would like to visit, guided and explained things in detail for us through out the tour. We hiked the Montserrat, visited the Basilica, visit the Black Madonna and listen to the boy's choirs. We also tasted cheese, honey and dried fruits in local farmer's market.
My sister and I had truly the best time with Stepan. The hike was invigorating and truly stunning. Stepan was such a great guide, he was very knowledgeable about the history of Monserrat, the wildlife, the Basillica, and he created a great atmosphere for my sister and I. He also provided the opportunities for us to try the local cheese, honey, fig bread, and make it just such an enjoyable trip. I cannot suggest doing this tour with Stepan enough!!
Great nature experience. Demanding with many stairs up, but it was worth the effort. Our guide Stephan was very good at keeping pace and knowledgeable about the area and the history associated with it. A tour we strongly recommend.
Stephan was awesome! First part of the hike was difficult but he set a great pace and took breaks along the way for pictures. So knowledgeable about the history but also nature of the surrounding area. Beautiful, scenic hike and a great workout too! We ended the hike with a museum tour and got so see some Picassos. The cheese and honey sampling at the end was a really nice treat.
Foremost, the meeting spot was simple to find. Stephen greeted us and a tour included a small group of 6 people. He was extremely knowledgeable about the history and small personal details of the heritage site. He had waters and walking sticks for individuals to use. This was a highlight of the trip. After visiting the basilica, we enjoyed a farmers market of cheese and honey tasting. Bravo!! Book this experience with Stephen Elizabeth and Nader California
Stephen was very excellent guide.we learned lots history about Montserrat and we got information from him about local food&wine . We enjoyed hike too.
A 'wow' part of our entire Spain visit...! Stepan, our superb guide (and English speaker), helped us experience the true and unhurried flavor of Monserrat, and surrounding trails and vistas, interwoven with history, religion, legends, flora and fauna, food - all with the grace and experience of someone who 'gets it' and helps maximize the joy of discovery. Would do this tour, again, in a heartbeat. Thanks Stepan...!
