Ascent and descent of the Cami dels Monjos to the Monasterio de Sant Llorenç del Munt (La Mola)
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 4.28 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,558 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Easy
- Elevation loss
- 1,552 ft
- Max elevation
- 3,599 ft
- TrailRank
- 43
- Min elevation
- 2,168 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Moving time
- one hour 49 minutes
- Time
- 3 hours 59 minutes
- Coordinates
- 1169
- Uploaded
- March 11, 2018
- Recorded
- March 2018
near Matadepera, Catalunya (España)
Viewed 987 times, downloaded 46 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
Sandwiched between Barcelona's satellite towns of Manresa and Terrassa is La Mola, a prominent rocky outcrop on whose top is located the Monasterio de Sant Llorenç, a once isolated monastery built in the XI century, which overlooks nearly the whole of Catalonia.
The steep ascent that starts at the allocated car park in Matadepera is straightforward and well signposted. Depending on your fitness, and on the amount of people descending or ascending, it takes about one hour to get to the monastery from where you are rewarded with stunning views but little else.
And here comes the VERY BIG negative: the whole experience is tarred by the share amount of litter and dog shit (wrapped in plastic or in its natural state) left on the side of the path. The intriguing small cave which you will encounter during the ascent is an open latrine, and the monastery on the top is overrun and has very little information to offer, with people being far more interested in its busy restaurant than learning about its history. Venture around this once isolated and spiritual place and the smell of diesel fumes, emanating from the motor which powers up the kitchen, takes the illusion that you have escaped the XXI century away for good.
Despite its monumental sourrounding scenery this is a walk I would not repeat: it has served as a warning to avoid anything in relative proximity to the industrial belt of Barcelona. Catalonia has a wealth of pristine landscapes and stunning places and those who venture there tend to respect the environment and its silence. So, until the Cami del Monjos cleans up my advice is go somewhere else.
The steep ascent that starts at the allocated car park in Matadepera is straightforward and well signposted. Depending on your fitness, and on the amount of people descending or ascending, it takes about one hour to get to the monastery from where you are rewarded with stunning views but little else.
And here comes the VERY BIG negative: the whole experience is tarred by the share amount of litter and dog shit (wrapped in plastic or in its natural state) left on the side of the path. The intriguing small cave which you will encounter during the ascent is an open latrine, and the monastery on the top is overrun and has very little information to offer, with people being far more interested in its busy restaurant than learning about its history. Venture around this once isolated and spiritual place and the smell of diesel fumes, emanating from the motor which powers up the kitchen, takes the illusion that you have escaped the XXI century away for good.
Despite its monumental sourrounding scenery this is a walk I would not repeat: it has served as a warning to avoid anything in relative proximity to the industrial belt of Barcelona. Catalonia has a wealth of pristine landscapes and stunning places and those who venture there tend to respect the environment and its silence. So, until the Cami del Monjos cleans up my advice is go somewhere else.
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