Ulldemolins, Priorat

About the place:

Can you differentiate a cork oak from holm oak? Did you know that the wood of the Boix tree is used to make instruments because of its hardness and that the with Sorbus fruits you can make jams?

If you like botany or would like to go walking with your children and teach them some things regarding the flora you can find in the forest, approach Ulldemolins. In addition to exploring the uses, the type of leaf and fruits, during the mushroom period you’ll be able to find a few. And if you are lucky during the summer and until the first frost arrives, you can clash with Eliseu and his flock of sheep on the way to the hermitage of Santa Magdalena. An unforgettable experience for the children!

Direction tips:

To reach the starting point of the route you must go to the Ulldemolins by the C242. Between km 34 and 35 (a few meters from the camping Montsant Park), you will find a detour to the "Ermites". You should follow the road for about 4km towards the hermitage of San Antonio - Santa Magdalena. At a junction with the park information office, you turn left. At 300 meters you will find parking next to the chapel of Santa Magdalena. You leave your car here.

The walking route starts just outside the entrance of the chapel. Then take the road in front of you between the cypress untill you arrive at the indicator of the itinerary 1. After some minutes, you’ll pass a chain. Continue straight on following the track.  You will find explanatory panels next to the white pine, the Austrian pine and holly. At this point the trail makes a steep ascent followed by a slope. You'll see the small Oak leaf, the Corner and again a steep ascent. In 10 minutes from the starting point you will find a junction signposted to the right (just before reaching an esplanade with large rocks). Take it. After a while, you'll reach a fork; you continue along the trail to the left. You’ll enter a more wooded area. At a new off road, you continue straight, following the prompt. When reaching a fork, continue straight on. After the oak, you follow the path on the left that becomes increasingly narrower. You’ll pass a small construction where you’ll hear the noise of water. At this point the path is blurred. Continue straight up to reach a wider area with benches. In case of rainy periods, water may tear a lot in this area and you must dodge obstacles. At the end of the esplanade (40 minutes from starting point), you go passing by a huge stone to start the descent.

When you arrive to a house, you take the footpath left abandoning the main track.  Follow the path that takes you to a pool where you will find explanatory panels of Juniper. You have to climb between the two panels for skirting the pond above and  rediscover the old water pipes to the right. Follow the path until you reach a clearing and a garden. You get around the garden and get to the track. At the track you start the way back to the left. You go straight until you reach a crossroad. Continue straight.

The best season:

winter, autumn, summer, spring

Lunch tips:

If you want to picnic, you can do so at the hermitage of Santa Magdalena. The area has tables, children's playground, toilets, barbecue and fountains. The use of the tables has a cost of 1 € per person. You can buy firewood for 3 €. If you prefer so, Loreto can prepare a menu of grilled meat accompanied by a salad or snails (you need to book firs: 977 561 657). The service is only offered on weekends from Easter to 15/11. For typical local food, you can go to the Fonda Toldrà at the city center.

More info:

Difficulty: Easy
Type: semi-circular
Total distance: about 3 km
Duration: 1 hour 10 minutes (no breaks, roundtrip)
Accessibility: the vast majority of the route passes through a track with some slopes (50m drop).
Recommendations: use good shoes and take water with you.

Photo: © ExploraTgn.cat