Cami Catalan?

[talianamexicana]

Hello all,

Since my first mini Camino I've been bitten by the bug and have gone back annually at least once since. This year I re did the SdC -Fisterra - Muxia route with someone testing out a new knee, but am going to Barcelona in September and thought I'd try the BCN - Montserrat route. I'm finding it tough to get to get proper information (elevations/difficulty) on it, as that will dictate how far we can travel a day, plus we will need pensions/habitaciones etc as our group won't do albergues.

My thinking is L'aberint d'Horta - Les Fonts (although I'm thinking C'an Sola as there's only one hostal in Les Fonts and it appears to be booked out). Can we make that in one walk?

Then perhaps C'an Sola to Olesa de Montserrat which seems to be a shorter walk which would allow us to rest.

Olesa de Montserrat - Monestir Monserrat which sounds like a horrible walk by all accounts and also seems to have three routes none of which I seem to be able to find decent information on, the road seems to be the most recommended?

Thinking funicular down just for the experience/view and then walking around the bottom to either Igualada or Manresa but really not sure which to do yet?

The idea would be that from either of those towns we would train or bus back to BCN and pick it up from there in a few months when we're back as I'm likely to be spending quite a bit of time there over the next few years.

I've read @LTfit and @peregrina2000 account and also @lindam s but finding good altitude maps and lists of accommodation is super challenging! Any help EXTREMELY gratefully received thanks

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I'm looking for information on this too. I've seen two camino routes that I am exploring with Wikiloc.com. I don't have the information available right now but I'm replying to make it easier to find this thread next week.

 

[talianamexicana]

I'm looking for information on this too. I've seen two camino routes that I am exploring with Wikiloc.com. I don't have the information available right now but I'm replying to make it easier to find this thread next week.

Hi Rick and Peg,

Is this one of the Wikiloc tracks you're using?

Barcelona - Montserrat (CN Sant Andreu 2012)

Barcelona - Montserrat (CN Sant Andreu 2012) Hiking trail in Distrito Sant Andreu, Catalunya (España). Download its GPS track and follow the itinerary on a map. Sortida a peu des del barri de Sant Andreu a Montserrat organitzada pel CN Sant Andreu. Collserola-Sant Cugat-Rubi-Ullestrets-Olesa de...

www.wikiloc.com

Talia

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Somewhat. The one I am most familiar with does pass through Sant Cugat but the start point looks different.

I'm stuck with just my smartphone and cellular data for a few days. Things will be a lot easier for me to check next week.

 

[lindam]

Yes, finding information about this route is difficult. I have now walked the Camino twice from Barcelona, last year going all the way to Santiago and this year walking as far as Pamplona and then returning on the Ignatius Loyola route (in order to walk the route through Lleida for the first time). I just did a search on-line to find more detailed maps, etc. for the first couple of days from Barcelona and found this: http://www.senderosgr.es/SenderosDetalle.aspx?IdSendero=22. While I have never used this resource, it appears to follow the route we walked to Montserrat. Despite the fact that it does not provide much in the way of route information, the information here is generally up-to-date as far as accommodations and services available along the way: http://amicsdelspelegrins.org/camino-catalan-por-san-juan-de-la-pena. While walking this past spring, we sometimes found additional accommodations available on Airbnb. Do let me know if you have additional questions and I will try my best to provide some insights/information.

 

[JabbaPapa]

Somewhat. The one I am most familiar with does pass through Sant Cugat but the start point looks different.

The route via Sant Cugat has always seemed to me to be the least daunting upwards from Barcelona, but this year I simply decided to avoid Montserrat completely, but I grabbed the tarmac route directly from Manresa to Igualada -- which was a little bit painful, particularly in the heavy rain that day, except the last section down towards Igualada in better weather and more beautiful scenery. That shortcut saved me at least a whole day.

But truth is, most Compostela pilgrims completely avoid that hike up by starting there, whereas the Ignatian Way pilgrims have an easier climb in the opposite direction.

As for a route up to Montserrat, I had certainly decided that if I had walked up there, I was going to take the tarmac, but there's a confusing multiplicity of options.

Maybe try looking at mapy.cz, either the online map or the app ?

Information resources for Compostela pilgrims on the Cami Catalan seem to be unusually defective -- but I eventually discovered this site for the Ignatian Way ones : https://caminoignaciano.org/en/lodging/ ; and it is extremely helpful.

The Ignatian Way is virtually identical to the Catalan via Lleida between Montserrat and Logroño, or at least between Montserrat and Tárrega if you follow the Huesca and Aragones route instead.

And I'd recommend the route towards Igualada rather than Manresa -- support structures are a lot better, and you'll have a decent chance of bumping into other pilgrims, both Compostela and Ignaziano ones. But virtually nobody comes down via the northern Catalan/Roman route via Manresa, whilst the Ignaziano pilgrims are few in number.

The walk between Montserrat and Igualada is not that challenging physically, especially compared to the rest of Catalonia.

Honestly though, I'd really suggest that instead of Barcelona to either Igualada or Manresa, it'd be a far wiser choice to walk from Montserrat to Cervera or Tàrrega, or however far you can make it in the time that you have.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Thank you for the recommendations @JabbaPapa. I'll have to check out maps when back home.

In 2015 our goal was to walk completely across northern Spain. We did do the CF but didn't have time to walk the GR11. My upcoming camino is intended to complete the job with the goal this time to walk between the beaches of Barceloneta and San Sebastián via caminos and a bit of the GR11. San Juan de la Pena is a must but because of the time of year (mid-October to mid-November) I'm ready to sacrifice or reroute anything beyond Pamplona.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Hello all,

Since my first mini Camino I've been bitten by the bug and have gone back annually at least once since. This year I re did the SdC -Fisterra - Muxia route with someone testing out a new knee, but am going to Barcelona in September and thought I'd try the BCN - Montserrat route. I'm finding it tough to get to get proper information (elevations/difficulty) on it, as that will dictate how far we can travel a day, plus we will need pensions/habitaciones etc as our group won't do albergues.

My thinking is L'aberint d'Horta - Les Fonts (although I'm thinking C'an Sola as there's only one hostal in Les Fonts and it appears to be booked out). Can we make that in one walk?

Then perhaps C'an Sola to Olesa de Montserrat which seems to be a shorter walk which would allow us to rest.

Olesa de Montserrat - Monestir Monserrat which sounds like a horrible walk by all accounts and also seems to have three routes none of which I seem to be able to find decent information on, the road seems to be the most recommended?

Thinking funicular down just for the experience/view and then walking around the bottom to either Igualada or Manresa but really not sure which to do yet?

The idea would be that from either of those towns we would train or bus back to BCN and pick it up from there in a few months when we're back as I'm likely to be spending quite a bit of time there over the next few years.

I've read @LTfit and @peregrina2000 account and also @lindam s but finding good altitude maps and lists of accommodation is super challenging! Any help EXTREMELY gratefully received thanks

It looks like GR-6 is the route you are interested in. Lindam's route in post #5 is also the GR-6. Wikiloc has information on the following pages and that includes profiles. I have not yet analyzed the tracks. I imagine that there is lodging at the between points. If you download the tracks you can use other applications (OSMand, Maps.me, GPSVisualizer, GoogleEarth etc. to get different views.) Up in the top-right of Wikiloc's map you can specify the base map that the app should use. That may also help out.

GR-6 (Sender de Montserrat) Etapa-1 Barcelona - Les Fonts

Ruta GR-6 (Sender de Montserrat) Etapa-1 Barcelona - Les Fonts de Senderismo en Horta, Catalunya (España). Descarga el track GPS y sigue el recorrido del itinerario del sendero desde un mapa. OBSERVACIONES -Sendero tradicional que recorre en tres etapas Barcelona con el Monasterio de...

es.wikiloc.com

GR-6 (Sender de Montserrat) Etapa-2 Les Fonts de Terrassa-Olesa de Montserrat (Trazado antiguo)

Ruta GR-6 (Sender de Montserrat) Etapa-2 Les Fonts de Terrassa-Olesa de Montserrat (Trazado antiguo) de Senderismo en Les Fonts, Catalunya (España). Descarga el track GPS y sigue el recorrido del itinerario del sendero desde un mapa. OBSERVACIONES -Trak completo y realizado en Mayo de 2016...

es.wikiloc.com

GR-6 (Sender de Montserrat) Etapa-3 Olesa de Montserrat - Monestir de Montserrat

GR-6 (Sender de Montserrat) Etapa-3 Olesa de Montserrat - Monestir de Montserrat Hiking trail in Olesa de Montserrat, Catalunya (España). Download its GPS track and follow the itinerary on a map. OBSERVACIONES -Trak completo y actualizado en junio de 2016. -Ultima etapa del GR-6 con origen en...

www.wikiloc.com

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Hi Rick and Peg,

Is this one of the Wikiloc tracks you're using?

Barcelona - Montserrat (CN Sant Andreu 2012)

Barcelona - Montserrat (CN Sant Andreu 2012) Hiking trail in Distrito Sant Andreu, Catalunya (España). Download its GPS track and follow the itinerary on a map. Sortida a peu des del barri de Sant Andreu a Montserrat organitzada pel CN Sant Andreu. Collserola-Sant Cugat-Rubi-Ullestrets-Olesa de...

www.wikiloc.com

Talia

It is not a track I've seen. It may work for me; I'll look at it some more. The track I've seen through Sant Cugat goes through Terrassa and then to Montserrat. I've seen another. I'll see if I can find it again.

 

[peregrina2000]

I walked into Montserrat from Manresa, having walked the jerryrigged Cami Catala, which goes through Girona and Vic. Yes, the walk into Igualada is a long concrete slog.

One thing no one has mentioned is the monastery at Sant Cugat, that would be a pull towards that option for me. Ayyyyy, the romanesque cloister...... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monastery_of_Sant_Cugat (I haven't seen it, just in pictures).

And just to throw it out there, since it's kind of in the neighborhood -- the Ruta del Cister looks like a terrific short circuit to Cistercian monasteries. I have visited Santes Creus and Poblet, but not on foot. I told a guy I walked with several years ago about this route (he lives in Barcelona). His report back after he did it was one word -- WOW. (sorry, don't want to get us too sidetracked).

Presentación | La Ruta del Cister

La Ruta del Cister

www.larutadelcister.info

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

The route via Sant Cugat has always seemed to me to be the least daunting upwards from Barcelona, but this year I simply decided to avoid Montserrat completely, but I grabbed the tarmac route directly from Manresa to Igualada -- which was a little bit painful, particularly in the heavy rain that day, except the last section down towards Igualada in better weather and more beautiful scenery. That shortcut saved me at least a whole day.

But truth is, most Compostela pilgrims completely avoid that hike up by starting there, whereas the Ignatian Way pilgrims have an easier climb in the opposite direction.

As for a route up to Montserrat, I had certainly decided that if I had walked up there, I was going to take the tarmac, but there's a confusing multiplicity of options.

Maybe try looking at mapy.cz, either the online map or the app ?

Information resources for Compostela pilgrims on the Cami Catalan seem to be unusually defective -- but I eventually discovered this site for the Ignatian Way ones : https://caminoignaciano.org/en/lodging/ ; and it is extremely helpful.

The Ignatian Way is virtually identical to the Catalan via Lleida between Montserrat and Logroño, or at least between Montserrat and Tárrega if you follow the Huesca and Aragones route instead.

And I'd recommend the route towards Igualada rather than Manresa -- support structures are a lot better, and you'll have a decent chance of bumping into other pilgrims, both Compostela and Ignaziano ones. But virtually nobody comes down via the northern Catalan/Roman route via Manresa, whilst the Ignaziano pilgrims are few in number.

The walk between Montserrat and Igualada is not that challenging physically, especially compared to the rest of Catalonia.

Honestly though, I'd really suggest that instead of Barcelona to either Igualada or Manresa, it'd be a far wiser choice to walk from Montserrat to Cervera or Tàrrega, or however far you can make it in the time that you have.

Thank you again @JabbaPapa but I've had a chance to look at maps and I realize now that, although you quoted me, your advice was mainly for the OP, @talianamexicana.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I walked into Montserrat from Manresa, having walked the jerryrigged Cami Catala, which goes through Girona and Vic. Yes, the walk into Igualada is a long concrete slog.

One thing no one has mentioned is the monastery at Sant Cugat, that would be a pull towards that option for me. Ayyyyy, the romanesque cloister...... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monastery_of_Sant_Cugat (I haven't seen it, just in pictures).

And just to throw it out there, since it's kind of in the neighborhood -- the Ruta del Cister looks like a terrific short circuit to Cistercian monasteries. I have visited Santes Creus and Poblet, but not on foot. I told a guy I walked with several years ago about this route (he lives in Barcelona). His report back after he did it was one word -- WOW. (sorry, don't want to get us too sidetracked).

Presentación | La Ruta del Cister

La Ruta del Cister

www.larutadelcister.info

Thank you Laurie. I can't work the Ruta del Cister into my schedule this trip. I did want to see more about it and its location though so I looked the for the route (GR-175) on Wikiloc.

Ruta del Císter 'no empujing' GR-175

Ruta del Císter 'no empujing' GR-175 Mountain Bike trail in Rocafort de Queralt, Catalunya (España). Download its GPS track and follow the itinerary on a map. Primer agraïm a l'Alfons Sánchez l'haver compartit la seva ruta...

www.wikiloc.com

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

This wasn't the map that I saw with the two routes from Barcelona to Monserrat but it should do for now as it does have the way northwest from Barcelona to Sant Cugat that I saw and also the way west before turning north that I remember the other way doing (but maybe not this same one.) I found it by using Google search and putting in the words how to walk from barcelona to montserrat

If I'm good to myself I will quit looking further into the cami catalan for the rest of the day.

Oh, Laurie, I'm going to be bugging you more later about the catalan and the romanesque sights along the way.

Barcelona to Montserrat

www.google.com

 

[JabbaPapa]

Thank you again @JabbaPapa but I've had a chance to look at maps and I realize now that, although you quoted me, your advice was mainly for the OP, @talianamexicana.

Sure, but I thought that responding to you was a good means to that purpose.

 

[Steven Dwyer]

For maps, https://www.viamichelin.com/ is an excellent resource. It takes some getting used to, and unfortunately shows every trail out there. To get to the trails map, you have to use a browser, not the app. Along the left side is a series of boxes, the bottom one looks like a map, select it and Then the bottom choice “outdoors”. I find it helps to find the Camino in a city, then follow it from there.

 

[Steven Dwyer]

I too ran into problems with the Hostal in Les Fonts which was the best alternative to stay. My work around is to stop walking at the train station in Les Fonts, take the s1 train to Terrassa for the night, train back in the morning and resume walking from there. I’m also going via Monistroll de Montserrat ( I started planning with the Gronze.com stages ) with an overnight before the climb.

Following Montserrat, I will walk to Igualada which has an Albergue

Scribd

www.scribd.com

And a great restaurant
Somiatruites
MICHELIN 2019
DEL SOL 19, 08700 IGUALADA
Modern cuisine Bib Gourmand: good quality, good value cooking
Phone : +34938036626
Email : info@somiatruites.eu
Website: : http://www.somiatruites.eu
Meal prices : Menu 14 € - Carte 21/30 €
MICHELIN GUIDE
A unique restaurant with an interior that boasts tanned hides on the ceiling and a design that is a reminder of the building's former industrial purpose. Fresh and enjoyable cuisine, with its roots in traditional dishes but brought up-to-date through modern culinary techniques and presentation.

So here is the walking plan with wikiloc outer included.

Day 1 walking is from the Mundet metro to Les Fonts following the GR6, a distance of about 20 km.
https://da.wikiloc.com/vandring-spor/horta-mundet-metro-les-fonts-de-terrassa-pel-dret-4182815.

This crosses through the Parc de Collserolla (Spain’s largest urban park) before passing by the monastery in Sant Cugat des Valles.
Sant Cugat del Vallès Monastery
08190 SANT CUGAT DEL VALLÈS
Phone : +34936759951
Website: : http://www.museu.santcugat.cat
OPENING HOURS
Tue-Sat 10.30am‑1.30pm, 5pm‑8pm (4pm‑7pm Oct-May), Sun and Bank Hols 10.30am‑2.30pm - closed Mon, 1 Jan, 25-26 Dec
DESCRIPTION
The old Benedictine abbey, built over the tomb of St Cucufat, is found at the heart of the small town named after it. The church (12C) is a magnificent example of the transitional style between Romanesque and Gothic. Inside, you can admire the fine 14C All Saints' retable. In the cloisters 144 capitals by the master Arnau Cadell, incorporating several ornamental styles, encircle the garden.

The route appears to be a mix of roads and trails and is supposed to be well waymarked. I was hoping for a room at the Hostal de Carmen in Les Fonts, but they haven’t responded. I figure I can jump on the S1 commuter train to Terrassa and return to Les Fonts in the morning to carry on. Hotels in Sant Cugat were over 90 eur and made for too short of a day. I currently have reserved at the 1900 B&B Terrassa (65 eur single with Booking.com) which is in the center of town not far from the station and a restaurant I want to try.
Vapor Gastronòmic
MICHELIN 2019
DE LA PALLA 15, 08221 TERRASSA DRIVING DIRECTIONS
Regional cuisine
Bib Gourmand: good quality, good value cooking: ≤ £28 / 40 € (IRE)
Phone : +34659566136
Email : info@vaporgastronomic.com
Website: : http://www.vaporgastronomic.com
Meal prices : Menu 14 € - Carte 26/35 €
MICHELIN GUIDE
An understated and intimate restaurant. Its name and decor recalls the steam-powered industrial revolution experienced by this Catalan town from the early 19C onwards. Traditional cuisine with a contemporary touch, and a clear focus on grilled dishes.

A cheaper alternation in Terrassa is Hostal ROC Valles, reservable on what’s app or via email. Not sure of the rate – see their Facebook page for more info. https://m.facebook.com/pg/HostalRoc...um&album_id=461042797321771&ref=page_internal

Terrassa
Sant Pere Churches - La Seu d'Egara
PLAÇA DEL RECTOR HOMS, S/N, 08221 TERRASSA
Phone : +34937833702
Website: : http://www.terrassa.cat/seu-egara
OPENING HOURS
Tue-Sat 10am-1.30pm, 4pm-7pm, Sun 11am-2pm - closed Mon and Bank Hols
DESCRIPTION
Set in the centre of quite a diverse neighbourhood, this impressive group of churches, Sant Pere, Santa Maria and Sant Miquel, was built on the remains of the former Visigothic bishopric of Ègara (5C) and is one of the most remarkable ensembles built in the Catalan Romanesque style. Pyrenean in influence, they are of outstanding artistic interest and allow visitors to take a journey through 15 centuries of history, back to the deepest roots of Christianity.

Day 2 of walking will be Les Fonts to Monistrol de Monserrat. A combination of the GR 6and then on to the GR 96, about 24.5 km with some small hills and a combination of road and trails. I have a reservation at Hotel Restaurant Guilleumes at 65 eur which includes breakfast. There is also a Dia supermarket in Monistrol to pick up supplies for the next day.

Horta (Mundet metro) - Les Fonts de Terrassa (pel dret)

Horta (Mundet metro) - Les Fonts de Terrassa (pel dret) | Horta, Catalunya (España) rute Caminada de unes 5h per Collcerola i Sant cugat fins les fonts de Terrassa cal tenir en compte que hi ha un desnivell acumulat de uns 1000m. salut

da.wikiloc.com

Day 3 walking is Monistrol de Monserrat to Monastery de Monserrat.

Monistrol de Montserrat - Monastery de Montserrat

Monistrol de Montserrat - Monastery de Montserrat Hiking trail in Monistrol de Montserrat, Catalunya (España). Download its GPS track and follow the route on a map. Record your own itinerary from the Wikiloc app, upload the trail and share it with the community.

www.wikiloc.com

The distance is short, but it has a challenging climb. I didn’t want to do the climb at the end of a long day and I also want to have time at the Monastery. Also want to hear the boys choir at 13:00

Albergue de peregrinos de Nuestra Señora de Montserrat –The Pastoral Coordination Center is open all year, including Sundays and holidays, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
They facilitate the credential to start the pilgrimage. 938 777 766 ccpastoral@santuari-montserrat.com

Basilica open 07:30 – 20:00. Throne of Our Lady From 08:00-10: and 12:00-18:30 boys Choir 13:00

 

[lindam]

Hello Steven,

I read your post with interest as I have walked parts of the route you are planning, and in fact I live within a short walk of your starting point at the Mundet metro station. I will share with you a few random tips.

While walking this route, we have had some luck in booking reasonably priced accommodations through Airbnb (for example in Sant Cugat and Manresa). Let me know if you want additional details about specific bookings and I will share that information with you. I would recommend booking your stay in Montserrat in advance as I believe that the new facility there has space for only 12 pilgrims (2 rooms, with 6 beds each). I do not know if they will offer additional spaces for pilgrims within the shared facility in the event that these two rooms are full. Should you choose not to eat at the restaurant in Montserrat, the new albergue there has a wonderful fully equipped kitchen. Very limited foodstuffs can be purchased in the tourist/gift shop (e.g., pasta, sauce, fruit, vegetables, etc.). You may consider carrying food but that would mean towing it up the climb into Montserrat. Depending upon what time you arrive, you may also be able to purchase some wonderful local cheese (aged sheep cheese being my favourite) from one of the vendors in an outdoor market that stretches out along the main street in front of the monastery.

You may also find some helpful information on this site: https://caminoignaciano.org/en/ although you will be walking this route in reverse. It is marked in both directions (I know this as I have now walked it both ways) but as always, the frustration is the disappearance of markings when one reaches a town or population centre.

When do you plan to start walking? All the best to you with your planning and do let me know should you have any additional questions.

 

[JabbaPapa]

While walking this route, we have had some luck in booking reasonably priced accommodations through Airbnb (for example in Sant Cugat and Manresa).

Good stuff for Sant Cugat, @ Steven (where the food BTW is wonderful, so don't cook your own), but as for Manresa, the default cheap places to stay are either the Camino Ignaciano accommodation there (need to book in advance, except perhaps in some cases where you're alone and so on), but more generally the youth hostel.

I'll repeat my link to :

Lodging – Camino Ignaciano

caminoignaciano.org

... for emphasis -- it is a FAR better resource for lodging information than the Gronze (which can have outdated / non-updated info) for the Cami Catalan, between Manresa and at least until Tàrrega if you're on the Huesca > Aragonès variant, but all the way to Logroño and the Francès if you go via Lleida.

I see that lindam has referenced the same site. Real Pilgrims think alike ...

 

[Steven Dwyer]

When do you plan to start walking? All the best to you with your planning and do let me know should you have any additional questions.

Lindam,

Thank you for the tips. I plan to arrive in Barcelona on Sept. 16th and will start walking from the Mundet metro station. I am thinking of walking from the beach in Barcelona to the Mundet metro on either the 16th or the 17th, which would make it a Coast to Coast Camino if I manage to reach Santiago and continue on to Muxia.

The information about the market at Montserrat is new to me. I should be there early in the day so hopefully I will get to try the cheese. The information about the kitchen there is good to know, but if the Restaurant has a pilgrim’s menu, I will do that.

I am adding the info from the Camino Ignaciano to my notes. It has some places to stay that I had not seen before.

Thanks again,
Steven

 

[lindam]

Yes, the restaurant in Montserrat offers a pilgrim's menu (I always prefer to prepare my own food).
Happy trails and do let me know if you have any further questions with your route planning! It will be a long but rewarding trip if you make it as far as Muxia. We walked from Barcelona to Santiago last spring (via Huesca).