Mont-Rebei is a picturesque gorge in the northern part of Catalonia, known for its difficult trails and beautiful views that open from the tops of the neighboring cliffs. Over 100,000 people visit this place every year.
General information
The Mont-Rebei Gorge in Spain is located on the border of Aragon and Catalonia, and is considered one of the most picturesque attractions in the south of the country. Its length is several km, so local travel agencies have developed a lot of walking routes for tourists, allowing them to view this place from all sides.
In the gorge, located in the foothills of the Pyrenees, flows the Noguera Ribagorçana River, which for several thousand years made its way through the rocks. The water in these areas has an unusual, bright turquoise color, the shade of which can change depending on the viewing angle.
The gorge is very popular with travelers, and every year this place is visited by over 100,000 people, which does not please the inhabitants of Catalonia at all. It is quite possible that soon the Spanish authorities will limit the entrance to the gorge to 1000 tourists a day.
However, while the entrance is free and open to absolutely everyone, and due to the length of the gorge and the large number of ledges through which you can access the river, you are unlikely to get tired of the abundance of people here.
Routes
Since the gorge is located in the middle of the forest, there are very many tourists who want to admire nature and walk among the rocks. Different types of recreation are offered for different categories of the population, and below you will find a detailed description of the Mont-Rebei routes.
Route 1 (green)
The shortest and easiest route along Mont-Rebei, which is suitable even for beginners, starts at the parking lot, and its final point is considered to be the gorge.
The first part of the journey takes place on a wide gravel road in a lowland lying between rocks. Here you can meet donkeys and different types of birds. You will have to walk through this area for about 30 minutes, after which travelers will go to the observation platform, and will be able to see a small part of the Mont-Rebei gorge in Catalonia. By the way, this is a relatively new route, developed only in the late 1980s.
Then a suspension bridge awaits travelers, and after it the most interesting part begins – now you get right into the middle of the gorge, and by walking along narrow paths (it will take 25-30 minutes), carved right into the rocks, you can reach the final point. You can go back the same route, or you can go ahead to the next suspension bridge. After that, you need to turn right and go all the way.
Route features:
- there are no significant changes in altitude, so the road is easily transported;
- there are no protective installations on the route, so you should be vigilant;
- a strong wind blows in the gorge, so you should not go close to the edges of the cliff;
- the route is suitable for children and the elderly.
Practical information:
- Route length: about 5 km.
- Required time: 2.5 hours.
Route 2 (purple)
The second route is already noticeably longer than the previous one. It is classified as purple, which indicates an average level of difficulty.
First, extreme tourists overcome the entire path of route No. 1. Then there is a long climb to the neighboring rock (you can reach the top in 30 minutes), which offers stunning views of the Mont Rebey gorge. After that, tourists will see one of the few man-made structures here – a long wooden staircase (in Spain it is called a pisarella), which you can climb even higher.
The final stage of the journey is climbing another set of stairs and walking to Montfalco. This part of the route is really difficult, and only physically developed people can overcome it. Nevertheless, travelers who have passed this path say that the incredible beauty of the views opening from the mountains more than compensate for all the difficulties. The final destination of the trip is the Alberg de Montfalcó mountain shelter in Catalonia, where you can simply relax or even spend the night.
Route features:
- if you are afraid of heights, this route is definitely not for you – there are a lot of extreme climbs;
- if you feel that you are very tired, it is better not to risk it, and go back – the route is difficult;
- before you start your trip, make sure that you can get back to the parking lot before dark;
- it makes sense to bring a safety belt with you;
- if you have reached the end point, it is better to go back tomorrow;
- There is an Alberg de Montfalcó mountain shelter on the route, where you can spend the night.
Practical information:
- Route length: about 7.5 km.
- Required time: 4 hours (one way).
Route 3 (yellow)
The third route, according to tourists, is the least picturesque, but many choose it because you can go forward on foot, and go back part of the way by canoe or boat.
For those who still chose the third route, you must first go through the entire first one, and when you reach the second suspension bridge, turn left instead of right (as in route 1). There you will climb several rocks, descend from a long wooden staircase (pisarelyi) and walk through the meadow. The final point of the route is a cliff with a view of Montfalco.
Then you can go to the gorge and rent a kayak or boat.
Route features:
- the route is quite easy and suitable for the elderly;
- you should think about kayaking or canoeing in advance – it is best to contact one of the tourist companies in Agere;
- there are fewer people here than on previous routes.
Practical information:
- Route length: about 5 km.
- Required time: 2.5-3 hours.
Route 4 (red)
The fourth route is very different from the previous three, as it starts at the village of Alsamora, and ends at Altimir. This is a long route, and you can complete it in 5-6 hours.
The path that travelers will have to overcome is as follows. First you need to walk from the village of Alsamora to the Mont-Rebei gorge (on the way you will meet a suspension bridge and pass through a meadow). Then you need to climb the mountains and follow the narrow paths of the gorge to get to Altimir.
It is best to extend this route for two days, because you need to go very fast to cover the entire journey in a day.
Features:
- high altitude drop;
- a large number of ascents and descents, which is very exhausting for tourists;
- the route is only suitable for physically fit people.
Practical information:
- Route length: about 12 km.
- Required time: 6 hours.
Kayaking on the river
One of the best ways to see the Mont-Rebei Gorge in Catalonia is by swimming along it on the water. Such trips are very popular, so you should worry about renting a kayak in advance. You can rent sports equipment at the following locations:
- In hotels. There are very few hotels near the Mont-Rebei Gorge, but you can rent a kayak or boat in almost all of them. You should take care of this in advance, as the service is popular.
- In travel companies. A few days before the expected date of the trip, you can visit one of the travel agencies in the city of Angers, and agree on the terms of delivery of sports equipment.
- Right next to the gorge. If you are lucky, you can be included in the tour group. However, this option has a significant drawback – the time of a water walk will be very limited, and the cost will be higher.
Along with the kayak, you should be given life jackets, helmets and a detailed map of the area. Take a waterproof bag, camera, and sunscreen with you (if you’re traveling in the summer).
You can build a kayak route at your own request, but I advise tourists to include rafting along the narrowest part of the gorge (its width is only 20 m) and visiting the long pisarels (from the water they look even larger).
If you’ve never done kayaking before – don’t be afraid. Tourists say that it is quite easy to swim here, and there are no strong currents. Also, at the end of the day (approximately at 17.00-18.00), rescuers on a motor boat inspect the surroundings and ” collect” all tourists who themselves could not swim to the final point of the route.
Features:
- every 600-700 meters, pontoons float near the shore, to which you can tie a kayak and relax;
- especially for those who travel by water, the gorge has small stairs that allow you to climb to the sights;
- look into the water – it is very clear, and you can clearly see the fish swimming up to the kayak.
The approximate cost of renting a kayak is about 40 euros.
How to get to the gorge from Barcelona
Barcelona and the Mont-Rebei Gorge in Spain are about 200 km apart, so it is better to come to the natural attraction in the evening, and start the journey along the gorge in the morning.
By public transport
There is no direct connection between Barcelona and the neighboring cities of Mont-Rebei, and you will have to go with numerous transfers.
The best option looks like this: first you need to take a high-speed train from Barcelona to Lleida, then change to a train to Sellers. The rest of the journey (about 20 km) can be done either by bus (departs from the central bus station), or by taxi.
Cost of the trip: 26 euros (12 + 10 + 4). Travel time is 4 hours (1 hour + 2.5 + 30 minutes). You can view the train schedule on the official website of Renfe in Spain: www.renfe.com. As for buses, unfortunately, they don’t run regularly, and they don’t have an exact timetable.
Thus, getting to Mont-Rebei by public transport is very problematic and takes a long time, so if possible, rent a car. If you are traveling as part of a group rather than on your own, renting a car will be even cheaper than paying for travel on trains and buses separately.
By car
It is much faster and more convenient to get to the Mont-Rebei Gorge by car. This will take about three hours. Take the paved road to Agers or Sellers (LV-9124) and then follow the serpentine road for another 20 km.
Be prepared for the fact that the last few kilometers of the road may be closed due to landslides, which periodically occur here – In this case, you need to return to the asphalt road and reach your destination on the C1311 highway.
If you arrive in Spain without a car, you can easily rent it at one of the rental offices in Barcelona or any other city in Catalonia. Prices are low – you can find a comfortable car for four people from 23 euros.
Parking lots near the gorge
There are many parking lots near the gorge (even more than hotels), and the approximate cost for one parking space is 5 euros per day, which is quite inexpensive for Spain. There are no free parking spots in Catalonia. Parking spaces are always available, so you don’t need to arrive early in the morning to park your car.
The two most popular car parks are: Pàrking de la Pertusa (small but very well located) and Embarcadero (lots of parking spaces).
After paying for parking, you will be given a detailed map of the gorge with a description of routes and other useful information for free.
Where to stay
There are several localities where it will be convenient for travelers to stay:
- Ager also does not boast a large number of hotels – only one affordable housing. A double room in high season costs EUR 57.
- Sellers. This is a tourist village with only 2 hotels. Both are well located, so you should book your rooms in advance. A room for two people per night costs from 55 euros. Most foreigners choose this particular locality, because it is the most convenient place to get to the gorge.
- Tremp is a small town with 15 hotels. There are various accommodation options, ranging from spacious apartments to hostels in the center. The average price for a double room in high season is 60 euros.
The Alberg de Montfalcó Mountain shelter is also available for those who still reach the top and climb the highest cliff. This small, cozy hotel in an old building offers a beautiful view of the Mont-Rebei Gorge in Catalonia. The price per night for two people starts from 35 euros.
Useful tips
- Wear comfortable clothing (preferably not blown through) and soft shoes. It will be good if you take a raincoat with you – the weather in this part of Spain often changes. If you plan to go swimming, bring swimsuits and towels.
- The gorge is very hot in summer, so if you come here in July, take a panama hat and sunscreen with you.
- If possible, stay overnight at the Alberg de Montfalcó Hostel – which offers a very beautiful view of the river and mountain range.
- Remember that it is quite windy in the gorge, so do not go close to the cliffs.
- If you get lost, follow other travelers who will definitely lead you to the parking lot. In the evening, you can meet rescuers on the territory of the gorge.
- The most beautiful photos of the Mont-Rebei Gorge are obtained from the first suspension bridge and a long wooden pisarella.
- Bring something to eat and a few bottles of water.
- There are benches at almost every turn in the gorge, so you can take a break at any time.
- On the base, near which Parking lots are laid out, there are several lacquers with food and cooling drinks.
- Pay attention to the flora and fauna of Spain – the gorge is home to many species of birds and rare insects. And if you come to the mountains in late spring, you can see bright meadows and flowering trees.
- If possible, come here in the fall or spring, when it is not hot and there is no precipitation. Travelers at this time are also noticeably less.
- Do not try to get around all the interesting places in this area of Spain in a day – it is better to stay in one of the hotels for 2-3 days, and gradually explore the region.
Mont-Rebei is one of the most interesting and beautiful natural attractions in Catalonia.
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