Deep in nature in the Valley of Silence
This itinerary through the Priorat, from the village of Ulldemolins to the Hermitage of Sant Bartomeu via the Fraguerau Gorge, has it all: forests, unusual rock formations, wells, waterfalls, springs, rivers running between astonishing walls, caves, the hermitage of Sant Bartomeu, set in the hollow of a gorge, and more. In short, it is one of the most varied routes in the Tarragona comarques. Some call this valley the Valley of Silence. The Fraguerau gorge is named after a monk who lived in these parts and who was called abbot of the nearby Scala Dei charterhouse. Although the first part of the route is fairly busy, it lets you enjoy the nature, silence and meditation offered by the northern part of the Serra de Montsant. Before reaching Ulldemolins from Cornudella de Montsant along the C-242, a dirt track marked with an “ermites” (hermitages) sign takes you to the hermitage of Sant Antoni. This track, paved on its final stretch, lets you reach Sant Antoni without trouble. It is the starting point of the route, where you can leave your car.
- Distància
- 5.35 km
- Durada
- 2 hours
- Punt de partida
- Ulldemolins
- Punt d'arribada
- Hermitage of Sant Bartomeu
- Tipus de ruta
- Linear route
Route description
Route type: Linear route
Starting point: Ulldemolins
End point: Hermitage of Sant Bartomeu
Distance: 5.35 km
Duration: 2 hours
Cumulative elevation gain: 700 metres
Points of interest: We recommend visiting the Hermitage of Santa Magdalena, on the shady side of the Serra del Montsant, very close to those of Sant Antoni and Santa Bàrbara. It is known as the “Cathedral of Montsant” because of its large size: it has 6 chapels, a choir, galleries and a crypt, and is the work of the priest Jaume Amigó. Just above Santa Magdalena there is a spring that feeds the hermitage and which, together with other nearby springs, supplies water to the village of Ulldemolins. This village, at an altitude of 651 metres, is also worth a visit. Many of its houses have beautiful doors from the 16th to the 19th centuries. If you like taking photographs in villages like these, you will have a great time! The Modernista-style Cornudella de Montsant Cooperative, signed by the architect Cèsar Martinell, will introduce you to the wine and farming world of the area.
At the Hermitage of Sant Antoni you will find a refuge and a leisure area with tables and fountains. If you want to eat at the restaurant, Manolo can prepare a grilled meat menu for you at the restaurant of the Hermitage of Sant Antoni.
After the route, we recommend visiting one of the wineries of the DO Montsant, as the villages of Ulldemolins and Cornudella de Montsant belong to this DO. Let the winemakers advise you and enjoy the poetry that flows from the earth.
At the restaurants of the Priorat comarca, don't forget to ask for the truita amb suc (omelette with sauce), one of the traditional dishes of the area.
