Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac Natural Park

Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac Natural Park is in Barcelona (province) of Catalonia. It is made up of the massif of Sant Llorenç del Munt and the Obac range. Its main peaks are Montcau (1,056.7 m) and Mola (1,101.9 m), where the Romanesque monastery of Sant Llorenç del Munt is located, along with other structures such as lime kilns graves.

Understand

The Natural Park of Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac is made up of the massif of Sant Llorenç del Munt and the Obac range. It has a protected area of ​​13,694 hectares distributed between the counties of Bages, Vallès Occidental, and Moianès.

• 1 Main Tourist office, Ctra. BV-1221, km 14,8. Mura (t is accessed by a short forest track that leaves km 14.8 of the BV-1221 road that goes from Terrassa to Navarcles, right in front of the Coll d'Estenalles Interpretation Centre), ☏ +34 938 318 350, p.santllorenc@diba.cat. daily 09:00-14:00. (updated Dec 2023)
• 2 Estenalles pass Tourist office (Centre d'Informació del Coll d'Estenalles), Ctra. BV-1221 de Terrassa a Navarcles, km 14,8, Mura, ☏ +34 938 317 300, p.santllorenc.estena@diba.cat. daily 10:00-15:00. Located in the heart of the natural park, in an old walkers' pedestrian hut rehabilitated in 1980 by the Diputació de Barcelona, it is a facility intended to provide information and advice to the general public and the school groups that visit it. Publications related to the natural park can be purchased there. Start of the SL-C 54 route in La Mola from the Estenalles pass. Equipment services: Sale of publications, Permanent exhibition, Personalized information, Signposted route, Guided walk, WC. (updated Dec 2023)
• 3 Sant Llorenç del Munt monastery tourist office (take the signposted trail SL-C 50 to la Mola from Can Robert, it is a 1-hr walk.), ☏ +34 937 435 454, info@lamola.com. M-F 10:00-18:00, Sa Su 09:00-18:00. Services: viewpoint, bar, restaurant, guided visits to the monastery, (updated Dec 2023)
• 4 Marquet de les Roques information point (Punt d'Informació al Marquet de les Roques), La Pahissa del Marquet, Vall d'Horta, Sant Llorenç Savall, ☏ +34 937 141 362, +34 693 504 713, p.santllorenc.pahiss@diba.cat. services: parking, WC, information point, museum. (updated Dec 2023)
• 5 Casa Nova de l'Obac information point (Punt d'Informació de la Casa Nova de l'Obac), Ctra. BV-122 de Terrassa a Rellinars, km 9,8, Terrassa, p.santllorenc.obac@diba.cat. daily 09:00-14:00. (updated Dec 2023)

Landscape

The park encompasses two massifs: that of Sant Llorenç del Munt, culminating in the mentioned peaks of La Mola and Montcau, each over a thousand meters, and the Serra de l'Obac, not as elevated; its highest peaks are Castellsapera (939.3 m above sea level), the hill of Castellar (931 m above sea level), and the hill of Tres Creus (929.7 m above sea level). Both mountain ranges are separated to the south by the Riera de les Arenes (a tributary of the Riera de Rubí) and to the north by the Estenalles stream. The central point of the park is the Estenalles pass (870.4 m), where there is an information centre.

The topography of this entire area is very rugged, full of cliffs and channels, with torrents and streams in all directions. Geologically, conglomerates predominate, forming a relief similar to the neighbouring massif of Montserrat.

Flora and fauna

Predominantly Aleppo pine forests give way to Scots pine and Austrian pine at higher elevations. Holm oak forests dominate, enriched above 800 meters with species like rowan and boxwood. Cliff areas host unique plants such as living fossils like Ramonda myconi and endemic Saxifraga callosa. Spring brings a vibrant display of wildflowers, including thyme, lilies, tulips, and narcissus.

The park boasts extensive forests, stunning cliffs, and towering crags, providing optimal conditions for refuge, breeding, hibernation, and migration for numerous vertebrate species. The diverse ecological environments within the park support distinct faunal communities, ranging from typical rock-dwelling inhabitants to animals found near farmsteads and woodland fauna. With nearly two hundred vertebrate species, including carnivorous mammals like the stone marten, genet, fox, and badger, the park plays a crucial ecological role. Wild boars have notably increased, leaving traces despite hunting pressure. Squirrels, rabbits, and diverse bird species, such as blackbirds, pigeons, and jays, are commonly observed. Raptors like the short-toed snake eagle, hawks, and falcons occasionally grace the sky, while rare sightings may include vultures and possibly the golden eagle. Noteworthy are wintering colonies of the Schreibers' long-fingered bat. Reptiles like the Montpellier snake and Lataste's viper inhabit rocky ridges, and amphibians, including colourful salamander larvae and various toad species, thrive in mountain springs.

Climate

It has a subhumid Mediterranean climate. Therefore, the main forest that develops here is the evergreen oak forest, and there are also pine forests, although there are significant cork oak forests, such as those of Les Teixoneres or Sot de la Bóta.

Get in

Motorways

•  E-9   C-16  (Barcelona-Terrassa-Manresa), exits 41 and 49

Roads

•  B-122  Terrassa-Rellinars
•  BV-1221  Navarcles-Talamanca-Terrassa
•  B-124  Terrassa-Castellar del Vallès-Sant Llorenç Savall

Fees and permits

It's free to enter.

Get around

Parking

• 1 Alzina del Sal·lari, Ctra. BV-1221 de Terrassa a Navarcles, km 11. Mura. free. (updated Dec 2023)
• 2 Camí dels Monjos, Carrer del Camí Moliner, s/n, Matadepera. free. (updated Dec 2023)
• 3 L'Obac, Ctra. B-122 de Terrassa a Castellbell i el Vilar, km 9,8, Terrassa. free. (updated Dec 2023)
• 4 Casa nova de L'Obac (Ctra. B-122 de Terrassa a Castellbell i el Vilar, km 9,8, Terrassa, there you has to go towards Casa nova de L'Obac). free. (updated Dec 2023)
• 5 L'ermita de les Arenes (Mare de Deu de les Arenes), Ctra B-124, km 13,2. (updated Dec 2023)
• 6 Parking Sot de Matalonga, Ctra B-124, km 13,1. free. (updated Dec 2023)
• 7 Àrea d'esplai de les Arenes, Ctra. B-124 de Castellar del Vallès a Monistrol de Calders, km 12,3, Castellar del Vallès. free. (updated Dec 2023)
• 8 La Barata, Ctra. BV-1221 de Terrassa a Navarcles, km 9,2, Matadepera. (updated Dec 2023)
• 9 parking Àrea d'esplai del Torrent de l'Escaiola, Carretera de Talamanca. free. (updated Dec 2023)
• 10 Marquet de les Roques (in B-124 take the trail to marquet de les roques.). (updated Dec 2023)
• 11 Parking de Ca n'Oristrell (access from BV-1224 Carretera d'Accés a Rocafort from Pont de vilomara.). (updated Jan 2024)

See

aerial view of Sant Llorenç del Munt

• 1 La Mola summit. The summit of the Mola has a maximum height of 1,103.25 m and culminates with the monumental ensemble of the monastery of Sant Llorenç del Munt, which includes the Romanesque church, the galilea (entrance hall) and the building of an old inn that houses a bar-restaurant and an outbuilding where there is a permanent exhibition dedicated to the history of the monastery and La Mola. (updated Dec 2023)
• 2 Monestir de Sant Llorenç del Munt. The old Benedictine monastery of Sant Llorenç del Munt is formed by the church and a closed enclosure, attached to the south, which gives access to the inn, built on the foundations of the old monastic outbuildings. The church, built between 1045 and 1064, has a Greek cross plan, with a cupola in the transept, although internally the impression of a basilica-style building with three naves and three apses predominates. (updated Dec 2023)
• 3 Marquet de les Roques (GR5 and SL-C 56 trails passes by the place.). Manor house of stately character. It presents an architectural core made up of different juxtaposed bodies. The old farmhouse attached to the main building is still preserved. Once the summer residence of the poet Joan Oliver, where he organized literary gatherings, the exhibition La Colla de Sabadell: between the noucentisme and the avant-garde is permanently on display. On weekends in the morning there are guided tours, and on Saturday evenings in July the "Summer Cycle" takes place, during which you can enjoy musical and literary performances in the main courtyard of the house . See information points in #understand section (updated Dec 2023)
• 4 Mare de Déu de les Arenes (Road 124, km 13.3, les Arenes). The Chapel of Our Lady of Les Arenes is located at the foot of the Sant Llorenç de Munt mountain, on the eastern side, and on the right side of the Ripoll river. The site of Les Arenes is already mentioned in documents from the 10th century and was therefore part of the parish of Sant Feliu del Racó. Despite not having much news from the medieval period in the area of ​​Les Arenes, it is believed that the presence of the Church of Santa Maria seems to obey the religious worship needs of a village of farmers. The documentation of the church dates from the twelfth century. In 1126 it is found as the work of the Monks of Sant Llorenç de Munt. In 1141 it is documented as a chapel built by a certain Guillem d'Horta. (updated Dec 2023),
• 5 La Barata. The manor house of La Barata has been owned by the family since its establishment. Located on the old road from Barcelona to Manresa, it forms a set of juxtaposed buildings that extend over a plain. The oldest part, the Hostal, is located by the road and preserves the oldest arches, almond point, work of the twelfth century. (updated Dec 2023)
• 6 Sant Roc de la Barata. The chapel is dedicated to Sant Roc, patron saint of La Barata. Located on a hill, 71 steps from the portal called "Major", it was built by the house master Ramon Sorís and his son Joan in 1622. It is accessed by a long stone staircase framed by two rows of cypress trees. (updated Dec 2023)
• 7 Castle of Talamanca. The castle of Talamanca belonged to the network of medieval castles built to defend the colonists who settled in the lands conquered by the Saracens. Demolished by Borbonic troops in 1717, it was later turned into a stately home by the Castellbells. (updated Jan 2024)
• 8 Casa Nova de l’Obac (Masia Nova de l'Obac) (Road from Terrassa to Manresa B-122, km 10). It is located on a hill, overlooking the entire mountain range that took the name Serra de l'Obac. It has attached other annexes dedicated to agricultural work. The farmhouse has a rectangular plan, almost square. Its physiognomy recalls the architecture of a manor house from the end of the 18th century, the facade treated with sgraffito and the drawing of the frames and corners with a different color tone to the rest of the painting. (updated Jan 2024)
• 9 Sant Pere de Vallhonesta (Road from Sant Vicenç to Pont de Vilomara). is a Romanesque church in the municipality of Sant Vicenç de Castellet, in the Bages region. He exercised the parish functions of the old term of Vallhonesta. It is a church that has undergone several remodelings: with elements from the 11th century, Lombard Romanesque, clearly visible in the apse, and subsequent reforms from the 12th and 13th centuries, when the bell tower should have been built on the west wall . The sacristy would correspond to the Baroque period. Those who understand also say that it could be an initially pre-Romanesque church, which had a wooden roof. (updated Jan 2024)
• 10 The Ricardo Wine Vats (Tines d'en Ricardo). It is a complex made up of six circular tubs and two huts. The bottom of the tubs is made of stone and lime mortar and the inside is covered with slightly curved glazed ceramic tiles. In the upper part, the walls are made of stone without joining material and the entrances are located there. The overhang extends over the walls, built with flatter stones. The cover is made using the row approximation method, and a layer of sand and gravel is spread over it. (updated Jan 2024)
• 11 Mura. The small rural village of Mura is known for its houses and streets made of stone, and its caves, springs and upwellings. Different signposted paths can be taken from the Information Centre: SL-C 69 Mura Cave, SL-C 67 Caverns, Country Houses and Mills, SL-C 66 The Thousand Springs of the River Nespres, and the Three Mountains. (updated Jan 2024)

Viewpoints

• 6 la Mola. 
• 7 Morral del Drac. 
• 8 Turó de la Pola. 
• 9 Morral Gran. 
• 10 Roca de les Onze Hores. 
• 11 Mirador del Bolet. 
• 12 Miranda del Castellar. 
• 13 Morral del Llop. 
• 14 Turó de Prunera. 
• 15 Roca del Corb. 
• 16 Pujol de la Mata. 
• 17 Mirador Sud del Turó de les Pedritxes. 
• 18 el Gurugú. 
• 19 Mirador de la Coma de l'Abella. 
• 20 Mirador de la Roca Salvatge. 
• 21 Mirador de la Resclosa de la Muntada. 
• 22 Mirador de la batalla de Talamanca. 
• 23 Mirador dels Òbits a la Mola. 
• 24 Mirador de la Canal de Tanca. 
• 25 Mirador de Roca Mur. 
• 26 Mirador de la Canal del Bosc. 
• 27 Cingle Gros. 
• 28 Mirador del Morral del Drac. 
• 29 Mirador del Morral de la Codoleda. 
• 30 Pedestal de la Miranda dels Cavalls. 
• 31 Mirador del Mal Pas de can Pobla. 

Do

Hiking

• GR-5 enters the park in Rellinars and leaves it in Sant Llorenç Savall
• SL-C 56 Castell de Pera.6.5 km, mid level. Starts in the parking of Marquet de les Roques (See #Get around)
• SL-C 69 Cova de Mura. 5.6 km, mid level. Starts in Mura Village. near Àrea d'esplai de la riera de Nespres. See #eat
• SL-C 67 Balmes, masies i molins. 4.8 km, mid level. Starts in Mura Village. near Àrea d'esplai de la riera de Nespres. See #eat
• SL-C 66 Les mil fonts de la riera de Nespres. 7.5km mid level. Starts in Mura Village. near Àrea d'esplai de la riera de Nespres. See #eat
• SL-C 65 Camí de les Arenes. 5km, easy. Starts in Àrea d'esplai de les Arenes. See #eat
• SL-C 63 La font de la Portella. 3.5km, easy. starts in Casa Nova de l'Obac information point. See #Understand
• SL-C 62 La font del Janet. 2.5km, easy. Starts in the village of Talamanca.
• SL-C 61 A Sant Jaume de Vallhonesta pel camí dels Maquis. 6km, mid level. starts in Pont de Vilomara.
• SL-C 58 La riera de Talamanca. 4km, easy. Starts in the village of Talamanca.
• SL-C 57 La pedra seca. 6.5km, easy. Starts in the village of Rellinars.
• SL-C 54 A la Mola des del coll d'Estenalles. 5,8km. only go, you have to return. starts in Estenalles pass Tourist office. See #Understand
• SL-C 53 De Sant Vicenç de Castellet a Sant Pere de Vallhonesta. 7km, mid level. Starts in the village of Sant Vicenç de Castellet.
• SL-C 52 Les tines de la vall del Flequer. 5.4km, easy. starts in Pàrking de Ca n'Oristrell. (See #Get around).
• SL-C 51 La Torrota de Vacarisses. 4km, easy. Starts in the village of Vacarises.
• SL-C 50 A la Mola des de Can Robert. 10.2km, mid level. Starts in can Robert, near parking Àrea d'esplai del Torrent de l'Escaiola. (See #Get around).

Climbing

The natural park has been divided into three areas. In each of them the type of activity allowed and its regulation is determined.

Areas where you can climb all year round

Climbing and the opening of new routes will be allowed at any time of the year in the following areas:

• Zone 1 From the Agulla de Can Robert cliff to the Castellassa de Can Torres (Agonies, Cap del Faraó, Rock of the Eleven Hours, Cap de Mort and Plecs del Libre).
• Zone 2 From the cliff of the Mal Pas de Can Pobla channel to the Mur de la Sibéria (Foradada de Can Pobla, Bolet de Can Pobla cliff, El Diafragma, Pi del Vent, Soleia fountain, Cova de les Ánimes and Revolt del Drac ).
• Zone 3 From Sescorts to the source of the Saüc (Sescorts, cliff of the Mico channel, cliff of the Horses, Roc Colom and Hort dels Monjos).
• Zone 4 Also included in zone A: the Cova del Drac, the Óbits, the Pola-Tres Creus-Agulles de Tanca area, the Placa Sibarit, the Morral del Llop and the Pedritxes-Foradades area.

Due to the fragility of the natural system and in order to respect the rock fauna of some of the climbing areas specified in this section, it is recommended not to climb from January 1 to July 31, on the cliffs between the Mal Pas canal and the Can Pobla canal; in the cliffs between the Squirrel channel and the Eleven Hours rock, and in the cliffs and monoliths from the Plecs del Llibre to the Gentil channel, as well as in the Siberian Wall.

Temporarily restricted climbing areas

Areas where it is not possible to climb during the breeding season of rock birds (from January 1 to July 31). New roads cannot be opened in these areas.

• Zone 1 Les Fogueroses (the Paller, the Giant and the Small Needle).
• Zone 2 Roca Mur (lower walls).
• Zone 3 The Cavall Bernat de la Vall, the Emprius and the Falconera or Sabatera.
• Zone 4 Roca Petanta

Areas where you cannot climb at any time of the year

• Zone 1 Western sector of the road from Terrassa to Talamanca (BV-1221) including the entire Sierra de l'Obac (except Morral del Llop, Placa Sibarit, Pola-coll de Tres Creus, les Foradades and les Pedritxes).
• Zone 2 All the cliffs in the North of the Serra de Sant Llorenç del Munt from the Cova del Drac to the Vall (except the Óbits and, temporarily, the Fogueroses, the Roca Mur, the Emprius and Cavall Bernat de la Vall.
• Zone 3 Eastern slope of the Camí de la Senyora (including the Roja cave and the Castellassa del Dalmau).

Consequently, climbing is not permitted in the following places: Can Pèlecs, Cova Roja, el Mugró, túró dels Cabrits, túró del Boc, túró de les Nou Cabres, la Morella, paret de les Foguerosses (except those mentioned in section B), Llor channel, Serrat de la Coca spiers, Montcau, Mata-rodona, Mata-rodona spires, Bócs Castle, El Paller de Tot l'Any, Roca Salvatge, Castellsapera, Roques de la Coca, les Cortins, Castell de la Serra de l'Espluga, Mal Pas de Puigdoure hill, Les Formigues, Castellassa del Dalmau and La Pallera, Roca del Corb, Morrals de la Mata, Morral de la Bassa, Morral d'en Bens.

Caving

Caving is a specialised sporting activity, for the practice of which it is recommended to have training before carrying it out. It is important to communicate which cave or chasm you will go to, as access to the cavities is often complicated.

In the Natural Park of Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac, access to some cavities is regulated in order to protect the cave fauna.

• Cova Simanya: access only allowed with the guided tour. Visiting period: all year round. More information here.
• Cova de Mura: access only allowed with the guided tour, from April 1 to November 30. More information here.
• Cova de les Ànimes (municipal term of Matadepera) will be closed, until further notice, for archaeological excavations by the Archeology and Paleontology Service of the Generalitat de Catalunya.
• Avancs del Daví and Castellsapera: access prohibited between October 15 and May 15.

Mushroom picking

The tradition of going mushroom picking is very popular in Catalonia. Often, however, they are unknown characteristics and not enough care is taken when pick some, The mushroom is the reproductive organ of an organism filamentous, the fungus, which lives in the forest floor. The fungi perform an essential recycling function: the decomposition of leaf litter. When you go mushroom hunting, besides being respectful with the environment and avoiding the abandonment of waste, you should follow the following recommendation: there are mushrooms that are poisonous. Pick only those that know well but respect them all.

Eat

• 1 Restaurant La Pastora, Ctra. B-122 de Terrassa a Rellinars, km 9,8, ☏ +34 937 435 472, +34 609 703 734. (updated Dec 2023)
• 2 Cal Carter, Pl. Tomàs Viver, 1, Mura, ☏ +34 938 317 036, restaurant@calcarter.net. (updated Jan 2024)
• 3 Can Vinyers, Pompeu Fabra, s/n - Club de Golf La Mola, Matadepera, ☏ +34 937 870 619, info@canvinyers.es. from 22€. (updated Jan 2024)

Picnic

• 4 Àrea d'esplai de les Arenes, Ctra. B-124 de Castellar del Vallès a Monistrol de Calders, km 12,3, 08211 Castellar del Vallès, ☏ +34 619 330 827, p.santllorenc.arenes@diba.cat. Equipment services: sanitary / WC , Recreation area, bar / restaurant, personalised information, signposted route. (updated Dec 2023)
• 5 Àrea d'esplai del torrent de l'Escaiola, Ctra. de Terrassa a Navarcles, km 7,5, 08230 Matadepera, ☏ +34 627 319 648, p.santllorenc.escaio@diba.cat. Equipment services: Bar service. Rental of tables and grills. Sale of firewood. Sanitary facilities and garbage collection, Sanitary / WC , Recreation area, personalised information, water source. (updated Dec 2023)
• 6 Àrea d'esplai de la riera de Nespres, ☏ +34 674 434 354, p.santllorenc.nespr@diba.cat. Apr-Jul & Sep-Nov: daily 10:00-17:00. Located on the outskirts of the historic center of Mura, close to the Nespres creek. It has a table and grill rental service, sale of firewood and drinks and snacks. sanitary Users must recycle and take the bags to the nearby municipal bins. Reservations are required, the area cannot be used when it is closed. Sanitary / WC , Recreation area, Personalised information, water source. (updated Dec 2023)
• 7 el Puig de la Balma. (updated Feb 2024)
• 8 El Racó de Can Brossa. (updated Feb 2024)
• 9 Mas Pinetó. (updated Feb 2024)
• 10 Braseria El Teix, plaça dels Caus 1,. Th-Su 08:00-18:00. (updated Feb 2024)

Drink

Springs

• 1 Font dels Trons. (updated Feb 2024)
• 2 Font del Plàtan. (updated Feb 2024)
• 3 Font de Sant Jordi. (updated Feb 2024)

Sleep

The easiest way is to look for lodging is in nearby cities of Terrassa or Manresa. Even Barcelona is close enough.

Camping

• 1 La Tatgera, Ctra. BV-1221, km 29,2. 08278 Talamanca (road BV-1221 between Navarcles and Talamanca.), ☏ +34 696 608 244, campinglatatgera@hotmail.com. (updated Jan 2024)

Stay safe

• Plan the route you want to take and always bring a map to guide you. Bear in mind that online maps can not be used if there is no data coverage. Use downloadable maps on your phone.
• Always try to walk on clearly marked or signposted paths or trails.
• Bring suitable footwear, water, a supply of groceries, comfortable and warm clothing, as well as a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• If you go in a group, don't lose sight of the rest of your colleagues. Never abandon or leave a fellow traveler behind.
• Strong winds can cause branches and other items to fall. On crests or ridges, the risk of accidents can increase. Avoid exposed areas in strong wind conditions.
• In fog it is easy to get disoriented, do not leave the main path.
• In downpours or electrical storms, leave summit ridges, isolated trees, and cave entrances. A dense forest can serve as a shelter.

Go next

• Montserrat Natural Park
• Montseny Natural Park