Montserrat - training

Last week I visited Montserrat - a beautiful mountainous area near Barcelona - twice with my family to continue my training for longer mountain runs. Both started from the parking area near the hermitage "La Salut" in Collbató.

The first day we went walking, my wife Montse, Jordi and me, first along the edge of the mountains and then going up. I loaded my backpack with extra water and carried some 8kg extra weight to add a training component to the walk.

Jordi balancing on a big flat rock

Time for "bocata" and drinking water

Going up

Here we are!!!  And in the picture above as well ...

High enough to see most of Catalunya

Almost back in the village Collbató

The second day I went with Emma running and scrambling. After initially not finding the right path we went up very steep and then I made a mistake taking the wrong path what cost us half an hour. Once back on the track we maintained good pace and soon the hermitage of St. Joan was close enough for a good picture.

St. Joan

Emma in front of St. Joan
 

After the hermitage St. Joan the road is easier. First we run down to the place where the funicular ends that goes up from the Montserrat monastery. And there we take the path to the highest mountain in the area, St. Jeroni. In the end I miss the indication that indicates the last climb to this top and we end up on the top just next to it, but for today reaching summit at 1200 high and doing more than 1000m climbing is enough and we leave that St. Jeroni summit for another day.

Emma at the summit, behind her on the left the mountains near St. Joan

 Amazing views up here

Going back down, now knowing the way went quickly though it was very very warm and we arrived at the village Collbató rather tired, but very happy with the experience.

Collbató