Best Hike on a Day Trip to Montserrat: The Hermitage Trail

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Thinking of visiting Montserrat just for the famous monastery? Think again. While the monastery is impressive, the real magic lies beyond the crowds—on the scenic Hermitage hiking trail.

During my visit, I was overwhelmed by the number of tourists at the monastery. Luckily, I took public transport, which gave me the time to explore more than just the main attraction. I discovered an amazing hiking trail that led me past peaceful hermitages, away from the crowds.

If you’re looking for a serene escape into nature, with stunning views and fewer tourists, this guide will show you how to make the most of your Montserrat day trip—by hiking the hidden gem that is the Hermitage Trail.

Table of Contents

How to Get to Montserrat

I recommend doing this day trip from Barcelona by public transport so you can spend as much time hiking as you’d like.

There are two ways to reach Montserrat: by cable car or funicular. Both require taking the R5 train from Barcelona’s Plaza España station first. Follow the signs for the R5 in the station, and you’ll soon see Montserrat advertisements.

At the station, you’ll find two information desks, one for the cable car and one for the funicular, but you’ll need to buy your combined train and cable car/funicular return ticket at a ticket machine and not the information desk.

Note: The cable car and funicular depart from different stops, so decide which to take before buying your ticket.

Montserrat Cable Car or Funicular: Which to Choose?

If you’re deciding how to reach Montserrat, you have two main options: the cable car or the funicular. Both offer unique experiences, so here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide:

If you’re up for a bit of adventure and breathtaking views, take the cable car. It only takes 5 minutes and offers a stunning ride up the mountain. However, if you’re not a fan of heights, the funicular is a more grounded option, like a tram going uphill.

Cable Car to Montserrat

A bright yellow cable car ascending the rugged cliffs of Montserrat, offering a panoramic view of the mountains. The cable car is a common way to reach the Montserrat hiking trails on a day trip from Barcelona. — How cool is the Montserrat Cable Car?

If you’re up for an adventure, I highly recommend the cable car from the Aeri de Montserrat station. While you might have to wait a bit for your turn, as each gondola only holds a limited number of people, just waiting there and seeing the gondolas come and go looks pretty cool.

The ride takes just five minutes and offers breathtaking, panoramic views of the mountains and the monastery. It’s an exciting way to begin your journey to the monastery.

Funicular to Montserrat

A green Montserrat funicular train arriving at the station, surrounded by rocky cliffs and lush greenery. This funicular is a popular mode of transport for hikers and visitors to reach the Montserrat Monastery. — The Funicular to the monastery

If heights aren’t your thing, the funicular offers a more grounded alternative. It looks like a tram climbing uphill and departs from the Montserrat Cremallera station, one stop after the cable car stop.

The funicular may not be as thrilling, but it’s a safer option for those who prefer a less dramatic ascent to the monastery and you still get some nice views along the way.

Montserrat Hiking Trails

Hiking at Monserrat — Popular trail to the top of the mountain

Montserrat is a stunning multi-peaked mountain range with trails for all fitness levels, from easy hikes to challenging climbs. While some choose to hike up to the monastery, I recommend starting your hike from the monastery itself.

Taking the cable car is an experience on its own, and from there, you can choose from different shorter hikes in Montserrat. So, you get breathtaking views without it being too exhausting.

My favourite Montserrat hike is the Hermitage Trail as you don’t just get stunning views of the scenery you also walk past some cute hermitages. It’s a perfect hike on a day trip if you’re spending a few days in Barcelona.

Sant Joan Funicular

Montserrat Monastery is considered to be one of the best day trips from Barcelona by train — View of *Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey* from the *funicular de sant joan*

To get to the starting point of the Hermitage Trail take the Sant Joan Funicular, this shortens your hike even further. With a higher starting point, you don’t have to walk that many altimeter before you get to a mountain peak.

Don’t miss out on the viewing platform at the top funicular station. You can visit it even when you don’t use the funicular.

I got a return journey, but I would recommend walking down instead. The scenic way down takes about 40 minutes according to the way signs.

The Hermitage Trail

A small, rustic chapel overlooking the scenic hills of Montserrat, surrounded by tall agave plants and dry grass. This picturesque stop is a highlight for hikers exploring Montserrat on a day trip from Barcelona. — View of a hermitage

Steep stone steps carved into a rock face on a hiking trail in Montserrat, with a rope handrail for hikers. This rugged path is part of the challenging but rewarding hiking routes in Montserrat, perfect for a day trip adventure. — View of a hermitage

One of the best hikes for beginners is the Hermitage Walk, which takes you past the hermitages of Sant Joan, Sant Onofre, and Santa Magdalena.

As soon as you exit the Sant Joan Funicular station, head right—the signs make the path easy to follow. Just continue along, and you’ll stay on track.

The hike took me about 45 minutes from the funicular stop to the mountain top, and about 20 minutes on the way back, thanks to a shortcut down the steps (you can’t miss it). The walk is fairly easy, but make sure to wear good shoes and be comfortable with heights.

What to Bring on Your Montserrat Hike

To fully enjoy your hiking Montserrat adventure, be sure to pack these essentials for you day trip:

Good Hiking Shoes: Make sure to wear sturdy shoes that have good grip if you want to go hiking.
Water: Bring enough water to stay hydrated, and refill your water bottle at the monastery before you set off on your hike.
Snacks: Pack light snacks like granola bars or fruit to maintain your energy. If you’re vegan, I recommend bringing your whole lunch from Barcelona since vegan cafeteria options are very limited.
Layered Clothing: The weather can change quickly, and because Montserrat is so high up it’s often chillier than when you set off in Barcelona.
Sunscreen: Protect yourself from UV rays, even on cloudy days, with sunscreen, and sunglasses.
Map or Hiking App: While trails are well-marked, a offline map or hiking app is helpful for extra peace of mind.

Montserrat Monastery

A building next to an archway, it looks like the building is in the sky but it's just on a high mountain — The facade of the church is inside the courtyard

Don’t miss visiting the Montserrat Monastery itself even you came mainly for hiking. The location is stunning, it’s impressive to imagine how such a large structure was built in the mountains.

Though the monastery’s exterior may seem a bit underwhelming at first, the church hidden inside is beautiful, especially when you consider the stunning mountain setting.

The church is open for visits most of the time, you’ll only need to book in advance if you want to see the Black Madonna up close.

Overall, I found the monastery very touristy, even in mid-October. With so many people around, hiking is really the best way to escape the crowds and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.

Veganderlust Profil Picture, Tina taking a selfie on the top of some mountains — Me on top of the Montserrat mountain

Best Tours for Visiting Montserrat

I’ll be honest, if you want to go hiking on your day trip to Montserrat a tour is not the best option because you’ll only have time for a short walk.

But a tour is a great option if you want to combine the visit to Montserrat with a visit to another attraction in the area like a wine tasting.

Top Pick

Montserrat mountain range near Barcelona

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Montserrat with Cogwheel train, Tasting in a Boutique Winery with Tapas

✅ Visit Montserrat monastery

✅ Wine tasting

✅ Regional tapas lunch

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Final Thought: Is Montserrat Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! Montserrat is more than just a monastery—it’s a perfect blend of breathtaking landscapes, cultural heritage, and outdoor adventure.

While the monastery itself can feel a bit crowded and touristy, the hiking trails offer a peaceful escape and stunning views that make the trip truly worthwhile.

If you’re looking for a different hiking day trip from Barcelona, consider the beautiful coastal walk from Sitges to Vilanova.

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Hiking at Montserrat — Hiking in Montserrat: A great day trip from Barcelona