From El Bruc to “Refugi Vicenç Barbé” (Mountain retreat)

As you head out of the square of the town council, “Plaça de l’Ajuntament”, on an uphill grade, you will turn right on the second street, just in front of the school. This street leads to Can Salses, as indicated by the local street sign.

Local street sign

Go down the hill and then follow the paved street as it begins to climb. Turn to the left on a very sharp, 180º curve, and then follow the directions of the Park sign, towards the Refugi Vicenç Barbé, along the paved trail.

Natural Parc signposted

You will leave the Mas Grau development behind you on the right, and a bit further down the road, you will pass the Mas Can Rovira estate, which will be on your left, as you enter the forest trail. Just 20 metres ahead, you will come to a crossroads with a turning on the right that leads to Can Salses. Ignore this sign and continue straight on, along the trail that leads to Les Agulles - Refugi Vicenç Barbé - Can Maçana.

Crossing Paths

As you walk along this pleasant and wide trail, you will pass by a house on the left and cross the stream known as the Torrent de la Diablera, veering to the left and turning slightly uphill, until you reach the intersection with the trail that leads to the Refugi Vicenç Barbé mountain retreat. This crossroads is signposted.

Crossing Paths

You will immediately pass a cattle crossing, and you will probably see cows along the sides of the trail. These animals form part of an initiative known as Guardabosc, which uses grazing cattle to clear out the forest undergrowth, as a means to prevent forest fires.

After a wide flat section of the trail, you will see that the trail widens a bit more. This is the starting point of a small path that runs alongside a section of the Torrent de la Diablera streambed and then meanders up and into the forest, until it reconnects with the trail, which in turn climbs upward in a sharp curve to the right, bringing you closer to the Els Pallers area.

Crossing Paths to Els Pallers area

After that climb, you will come to a plateau known as the Era dels Pallers. On the right, you will see the lovely and peculiar pinnacles of Els Pallers, and if you wish to enjoy them from closer up, you may take the small path that forks off to the right.

Return to the plateau to continue your itinerary. From here, you can also view the group of pinnacles that form the Les Agulles area. You will now continue to climb upward, along the narrow path that will soon bring you alongside the streambed of the Torrent dels Cirerers, as you wander into a lush holm oak forest. From different rocky clearings, you will see a white house in the distance: that house is the Refugi Vicenç Barbé mountain retreat.

Refugi Vicenç Barbé mountain retreat

Finally, you will reach a signposted crossroads. On your left is the trail that comes from the Coll de La Portella (pass) and Can Maçana, yet here you will need to take the trail on the right, which, in just five minutes, will leave you directly in front of the Refugi Vicenç Barbé mountain retreat, marking the end of your route. From here, you need only retrace your steps back along the same trails to return to your starting place.

Crossing Paths

Route Map

Route Map

Map of services on Montserrat

Map of services on Montserrat

Park Rules and Regulations

Basic Tips When on the Trail

Further information

Contact the office of the Montserrat Mountain Nature Park:

Plaça Abat Oliba, s/n,
Tel. 938350644

Visit our website:

www.muntanyamontserrat.gencat.cat
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