Overview
Length: 15.5km
Elevation: 670m
Type: Loop
Time: 2hrs 20m
Introduction
We’d been building up to this moment for years, but it took one unexpected day in November to finally make it happen. Markus and I were buried in a huge sauna installation project—one of our biggest yet. Markus had been running himself ragged trying to oversee everything, which allowed David (our new hire) to manage a separate build on his own. It was flawless. I looked at Markus that evening and said, “This means we can take a break now, right?”
Of course, Markus wasn’t convinced right away. He’s not exactly one for stepping back easily. But a few hours later after supper, he said, “Fine, I’ll go—but only if we climb Montserrat.”
You bet I was showing him gorgeous Air Bnbs in Barcelona’s gothic quarter within minutes!
Markus has a soft spot for Montserrat. He first visited the mountain as a 19-year-old backpacking through Spain, and it changed his life. Standing among those jagged peaks, he decided to leave Copenhagen and start fresh—a decision that eventually shaped everything about our lives today. For him, going back was like coming full circle. For me, it was the break we’d been talking about for years.
About Montserrat
We had a week in Barcelona…and while I imagined lazy mornings and aimless wanderings through markets, Markus had other plans. Being Danish, he can’t sit still unless he’s putting every hour to “practical use,” as he calls it. So instead of lazing about in a hotel, we signed up for a week-long Spanish course. After searching for Spanish courses in Barcelona, we found a fantastic school right on the edge of Ciutat Vella, just a short walk from our Airbnb.
It turned out to be the perfect mix of structure and fun—and a great excuse to finally start mastering the language of our adopted home.
When we weren’t practising our Spanish, we were planning our adventure to Montserrat, a place that’s famous for its jagged, otherworldly peaks and incredible history.
Just an hour from Barcelona, Montserrat is home to the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey, a Benedictine monastery that houses the Virgin of Montserrat. The Virgin is one of Catalonia’s most important religious icons. Pilgrims from all over the world come here—but for us, it was also about the natural beauty of the area.
The mountain is part of the Montserrat Natural Park, which offers incredible hiking and trail running routes through its unique limestone formations. With peaks that seem to pierce the sky and trails that wind through dense forests and panoramic ridges, it’s a playground for anyone who loves the outdoors.
Markus couldn’t wait to trail run to the summit of Sant Jeroni, and I, well… I couldn’t wait to survive it.
The Trail Running Route
There are so many routes up Montserrat that it’s hard to know where to start. But we found a fantastic one on Wikiloc that checked all the boxes.
It took us past:
- Santa Cecilia, a picturesque old monastery.
- The iconic Montserrat Monastery.
- The Pas dels Francesos, a historic pathway steeped in legend.
- The Ermita de Sant Joan, a serene hermitage nestled in the cliffs.
- And, of course, the summit of Sant Jeroni, the highest peak at 1,224 meters.
We started at Santa Cecilia, following the Camí de l’Arrel, a beautiful trail with views that immediately set the tone for the day.
The first stop was the Ermita de la Trinitat and then the Refugi de Sant Benet, a peaceful spot where the trail becomes narrower and winds through the forest towards Pla dels Ocells.
From here, the route climbs steadily along the Camí Vell de Sant Jeroni, with a detour leading up to the summit of Sant Jeroni. Naturally, Markus insisted we take the detour—how could we not? The trail up was steep, but the panoramic views from the top were absolutely worth it. You could see everything: rolling hills, jagged peaks, and the Catalonian countryside stretching endlessly into the distance.
It’s the kind of place you want to “screenshot” in your own mind…and save it for later.
After descending from the summit, we rejoined the main trail near the Funicular de Sant Joan and continued towards the Ermita de Sant Joan and Sant Onofre. This stretch was one of the highlights of the route, with breathtaking cliffside paths and incredible views.
The descent took us past the Pla de les Taràntules and onto the Ermita de Santa Anna, before winding back down to the Montserrat Monastery. We finished the loop along the Camí dels Degotalls. We even spotted a few mountain goats watching us from the rocks above.
With fountains along the way for a quick refresh, this route was as magical as Montserrat itself.
It’s impossible to leave without feeling energized and already planning your next visit.
Wikiloc route
Views from the summit of Sant Jeroni.
Mountain goats.
The Montserrat monastery itself.