LIVE from the Camino Montserrat to Manresa

[Vacajoe]

Wow! While so many pilgrims are fighting snow and rain on the CF, my wife and I got sunburned on a beautiful 15 mile walk down from Montserrat to Manresa today!

Albergue at the abbey was nearly empty last night (only one other pilgrim, so we had a private room with lots of bunk choices) and only 6€ - excellent pilgrim dinner at the hotel next door was only 10€ for three delicious courses and a seltzer water.

My wife and I received a truly moving pilgrim blessing and then enjoyed the peace and quiet of the mountaintop once the tourists left. There even was a free concert by a visiting choir! Wonderful, wonderful stay.

The walk to Manresa follows the route of St Ignatius (which is a bonus for the Catholics in the crowd) through lush fields and tiny villages. We didn’t encounter a single pilgrim during the hike and barely saw any Spaniards either! Moderate degree of difficulty but worth it. Now we are in a private room (€28) at Alberg del Carme (another renovated monastery!).

In short, great history, cheap accommodations, beautiful weather, and NO ONE AROUND!!!!

 

[Sakami]

Montserrat must be one of the most unusual and exotic spots in Spain. Several years ago Barcelona was too busy and expensive for us. We found an apartment at Montserrat for two nights and had a blast. It would be wonderful to start walking from there.

 

[Cayou]

Did a day visit in Aug 2016 and absolutely loved it - hiked all over the hills above after the funnel car to the monastary. As much as we enjoyed Barcelona, Monserrat was our pick of the litter!

 

[intrepidtraveler]

@Vacajoe, which camino are you following?

 

[KinkyOne]

@Vacajoe, which camino are you following?

He mentioned it in OP. It's Camino Ignaciano:
http://caminoignaciano.org/
https://es.wikiloc.com/rutas-cicloturismo/camino-ignaciano-completo-loiola-manresa-5635253

 

[Vacajoe]

Yes, it was the last stage of the Ignacio, but it’s also part of several others including one that leads all the way to SdC.

Today we bussed from Manresa to Jaca; in the a.m. we start walking the Camino Arragones to Santiago!

 

[Vacajoe]

Here’s the view after walking 15 miles... really makes one appreciate the distance and the descent!