6 days, 5 nights
Hiking
Coast, Cultural, Gastronomic, Mountains, Nature
Self-guided
Step into a land where ancient empires, royal legacies, and vineyard-covered hills come together to shape an unforgettable walking holiday. This self-guided journey takes you from the peaceful cloisters of the Cistercian monasteries to the dramatic Mediterranean coastline, all while following historic pilgrim routes and Roman roads.
Begin your path in the heart of inland Catalonia, where the Ruta del Cister links three majestic Cistercian monasteries—Poblet, Vallbona de les Monges, and Santes Creus—each a masterpiece of medieval devotion and architectural splendor. Walk through sun-drenched landscapes dotted with olive groves, vineyards, and chapels perched on cliffs.
Along the way, you’ll savor local wines, visit historic villages, and sleep in charming rural lodgings—some just steps away from centuries-old abbeys. The journey culminates at the Balcony of the Mediterranean, walking along the Roman coastal route into Tarragona, the ancient Roman capital of Hispania Citerior and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Arrival at Poblet. Welcome meeting with our English-speaking guide who will introduce you to the area and will give all the documentation and things you need for your holidays. At 6 pm, enjoy a wine tasting of the wines of Conca de Barberà appellation of origin at the local shop of the monastery.
Distance: 10km | Total positive climb: +550m | Walking time: 3h 20min
Transfer in the morning from Poblet to Montblanc.
Walk from Montblanc to Poblet enjoying the views from Sant Joan chapel, on top of a cliff. Follow the GR (white and red paintings), walking past the Santíssima Trinitat, another chapel, and arrive at Les Masies, where your accommodation is located. From here you can decide to visit the Poblet monastery, which is about 10min away walking by the main paved road.
Distance to Vallbona: 8.5km | Total positive climb: +30m | Walking time: 2h 20min
Distance from Vallbona to Balneari de Rocallaura: 7.7km | Total positive climb: +200m | Walking time: 2h 15min
You will start the day with the transfer at 9am from Les Masies to the Tallat monastery with a local guide. From El Tallat, drop gently to Vallbona village, where you will enjoy a wine tasting at l’Olivera cooperative.
After the wine tasting and/or visiting the monastery, keep on walking following the GR and, before arriving at the village of Rocallaura, leave the GR and take a path on your right to the main road and again to your right until you get to the accommodation.
Distance: 16.3km | Total positive climb: +100m | Walking time: 5h
Today you will use the luggage transfer at 9am to shorten your trail a bit and explore new territories away from the GR. They will leave you in the little hamlet of Vallespinosa, and you will follow several tracks crossing woods and enjoying a wild and solitary territory until you get to Pont d’Armentera village. There you will find again the GR that will lead you to Santes Creus, the last monastery of the Cistercian order.
Distance: 15km | Total positive climb: +150m | Walking time: 4h
Departure day to Tarragona, and drop off at Punta de la Móra. Enjoy a beautiful coastal walk along the coast, the watch tower of la Móra and the beautiful coastal forest of la Marquesa. Arrive on foot at your accommodation.
A chance to explore the Roman remains of Tarragona as well as exploring the maze of boutiques in the old town. There are several beaches within walking distance of the town should you want to dip your toes in the Mediterranean.
Departure day by train or private transfer
The route winds through the mountains and vineyards of the Priorat region, along paths without technical difficulties. It requires a good physical condition, but it is suitable for anyone who enjoys walking. The level is considered easy to medium.
The total distance covered is 34 km, spread over 4 walking days, with a total of 15 to 20 hours of walking.
Airport: Barcelona
Airport 2: Reus
Barcelona Main Station: Sants
Transfer included from L’Espluga de Franacolí train station to Poblet first accommodation.
Arriving in L’Espluga de Francolí by train: https://venta.renfe.com/vol/search.do?c=_Fz3j
Regional train 2h15m approx.
How to get from Tarragona to Barcelona: https://venta.renfe.com/vol/search.do?c=_Fz3j takes 1h15 minutes to Sants Barcelona main station.
All information is available in Spanish, German, English, French, and Dutch.
Member Since 2025
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