TREKKING NEAR BARCELONA: the Agulles of Montserrat (Can Maçana to Coll del Port and Agulles trail)

Impressive walk with impressive views of the rocky Montserrat mountains with vertiginous rocky walls and a funny path where in some points, makes necessary to climb the rocks.

This route starts at Coll de Can Maçana which can only be reached by car.
The route follows paths, trails and precarious trails and in some points, it is needed to climb up rocks. It is not complicated by probably not adequate for beginners and children (if they are not habituated). However, alternatives exist to avoid these passes and I will also propose you.

The battery of GPS ended before the end the route, so, take into account that the real route is 4h30-5h long.
Take into account that in summer there is not water along the trail. Take enough water for the walk.

To reach the coll of Can Maçana, take the route BP 1101 from the Hostal del Bruc to Manresa and Montserrat monastery and park the car at large parking of the Coll de Can Maçana. From here, take the trail GR 172 direction the Montserrat monastery. After 20’ a bifurcation indicates you the path to the Roman chapel Sant Pau Vell (5’). Take the path and look the chapel and return to the main trail and continue in direction to the monastery. After 10’, take right the trail at the bifurcation, following the path PR C-78 direction to the Vicenç Barbé refuge. You will cross the mountain slope and climb the rock to La Portella pass (easy pass). From here, follow the path and in 10’ minutes you arrive to the refuge (there is a bar in it). From Coll de can Maçana to the refuge you will spend one hour.
Follow the easy trail until the Coll del Port (1 hour more). You cross a nice Mediterranean forest with evergreen oaks.

From Coll del Port take the path down on northern slope direction to the GR-172. At this point of the route you have splendid views on the impressive and vertiginous rocky walls of the northern slope and it is probably you will see climbers on them. At the next bifurcation, takes the path to Portell Estret (short but hard walk mountain up: 20’).

Arriving to this point, you have two options. If you do not want to climb the rocky passes, take the trail to the Refugi Vicenç Barber (it is indicated on signals). But if you prefer to have nice views of the rocky Agulles walking between them, take the path right. In the signal it is indicate that it is a technical path equipped with ropes in some points (I have not found any rope!). The path is not complicated (except in one point) but it goes up and down continuously and it is tired. In the indication it is written that the path is 40 minutes long but do not hesitate if you need 1h or a bit more to complete it.

You must follow the red signals painted on trunks and rocks. Take care because in some places it is not easy to find them!. Look for them attentively as if you loss the trail, the area could become bit complicated and dangerous to cross between rocks and high walls.

Look at the map and when the GPS signal ended (at the top of a rock) turn left and walk slope down. At this point, the red signals are not clear but you must walk down into the forest and after 15’ you will find white signals marked in a small trail. Follow these signals down and you will arrive to a bigger trail. Follow it right and in 1’ you arrive again to the La Portella pass. Follow the trail direction to the coll de Can Maçana (whicj is well indicated)