Ulldemolins, Priorat

About the place:

If you want to test the physical condition of your kids (and yours), the route to the hermitage of Sant Bartomeu in Ulldemolins will not disappoint you. With constant rises and slopes you will penetrate into the territory of the gorge of Fraguerau in the Montsant: an itinerary that has everything. From the oriel, you will be able to see the fishes swimming in the crystalline water of river Montsant, you will enjoy of the smell of fresh forest, you will forget to breathe rising the rocks to the gorge of Fraguerau and even for the adventurers there is the incentive of crossing the wooden bridge hanging on the river Montsant.

An itinerary that will take you to a place where you will enjoy of some impressive views.

Direction tips:

To arrive to the staring point of the itinerary, you have to arrive to Ulldemolins by the C242. Between km 34 and 35 (just few meters away from the camping Montsant Park), you will find a diversion towards the "Ermites" (hermitages). You have to follow the path almost during 4 km in direction of the hermitage of Sant Antoni. On arriving to a fork where you will find the information office of the Montsant Park, you have to turn towards the right. In 500 meters you will find the hermitage of Sant Antoni. From here the paved path becomes a track.  Continue aprox. 1,6 km until you arrive to a parking. Leave the car here.

Continue on foot crossing the chain. In 8 minutes you will arrive to the oriel of Cadolles Fondes, after passing over a big stone in the middle of the path exactly under an apple tree. You have to take the stairs on your left side in direction Margalef. But before this, approach the oriel in front of you. You will have an exceptional view of the Montsant River. Return to the stairs and continue the path. 15 minutes later after passing through the rock "Balladora" you will arrive to a bifurcation. Take the path that rises on your left side in direction Sant Bartomeu. The path becomes narrower now. After a while you will have to step over some rocks. At this point the path turns towards the left. About 15 minutes later there will be a new bifurcation. Follow the white and red marks of the GR65-5 which you will see on the path that goes down the right path. Some time later you will find an other fork. Continue straight on.  You will enter in a path that follows a forest. When you’ll be walking about 50 minutes from the start point, you’ll find a new indicator to Sant Bartomeu. In front of you, you’ll see a wooden hang bridge. Continue straight on for a few meters. On your right (behind a rock), you’ll find the acess to the bridge. Cross the 2 bridges.

In approximately 20-25 minutes you will have arrived to the hermitage of Sant Bartomeu, going to a gorge of stones. In this part it is recommended to follow the lila marks which will indicate you the way up to the hermitage. At the end you’ll arrive to a stone wall constructed under the rock. Follow the path to the right. It will turn up to the hermitage.

To enjoy of some impressive views, you have to return the th stone wall and follow the wall in the opposite direction of Sant Bartomeu. Just in the curve, you’ll have a spectacular view over the Montsant Mountains.  To return to the start point, you have to follow the same way you came.

The best season:

autumn, summer, spring

Lunch tips:

You will find a picnic area and shelter in the hermitage of Sant Antoni. The area has tables, a play zone, WC, barbecues and sources. The use of the tables costs 1€/person (kids younger than 10 do not pay). You can buy wood for 4€. If you prefer, Manolo can prepare you a menu of meat on the ember in the restaurant of the Hermitage of Sant Antoni.

More info:

Difficulty: high
Type: linear route
Duration: aprox. 2 hours and a half (two ways without stops)
Accessibility: to access to the start point from the hermitage of Sant Antoni, you will have to take a track. Drive very slowly so that the travelers and the unevenness of the territory won’t surprise you. Only in the last part of the itinerary (almost arriving to Sant Bartomeu), the route is a little more complicated and you will need your hands to maintain the equilibrium. However it is a route of high difficulty because of the prolongation of rises and slopes.
Recommendations: take water with you and use adequate footwear to walk on gravel.

Photo: © ExploraTgn.cat