Close to Siurana and the Prades mountain range, the Serra de Montsant stretches from east to west like a ribbon of sculpted cliffs. The loop proposed here covers an eastern section of the Serra, above Sant Joan de Codolar, following the upper slopes of the Cingles de Sant Joan. A very accessible itinerary, but with a few aerial or more technical passages. Preferably done outside the summer season, as the heat is already considerable in May. You can see the Mediterranean Sea and the village of Siurana just opposite, which is also well worth a visit.
Technical summary
► Starting point: Sant Joan de Codolar, Montsant, Catalunya, Spain ►Type of route: loop hike ►Distance: 8 km ►Cumulative elevation gain: +400 m ►Cumulative negative elevation gain: -400 m ►Estimated total time: 3h to 4h ► Min and max altitude: 750 m / 1110 m ► Marking: GR at start and return, unmarked trails on the vires ►Equipment in place: none ►Equipment required: GPS track may be useful
Difficulties:some aerial passages on the ledge, slightly technical descent on the return on unstable ground.
Access to the place
Go to Cornudella de Montsant, northwest of Reus and Tarragona, near Siurana. From here, take the mini road to the hermit church of Sant Joan de Codolar, located at the foot of the southern slope of the Serra de Monsant (very narrow and a bit bumpy, but passable with a normal vehicle).
From the parking lot, head west along the GR-174. Leave it fairly quickly at the 1st small fork in the road to go right up a small path which intersects the GR further on at a sign indicating the start of loop no. 5 to the Cova Santa.
Climb the GR, which gradually approaches the upper cliffs as it bends westwards. Finally, the GR passes between 2 walls at the Grau del Tomaset to emerge onto the upper undulating flats. Continue on the GR as far as the Cova Santa, where a small entrance under a rock gives access to a 200m underground caving course, well known to hermits from time immemorial.
2nd part: les vires de les Cingles de Sant Joan
Leave the GR in front of the Coca Santa and take the path a little further down, which descends to a wide flat, the Pla de Meloner. Before climbing up again on the opposite side, fork right, following a path that heads south-east and then east, towards the edge of the southern cliffs of Montsant. The further you go, the closer the path gets to the edge, threading its way along a wide ledge between the upper and lower walls. Further on, the passages become narrower but are never really exposed. You pass the Grau dels Tres Esglaons trailhead. Continue on the paths closest to the edge to pass under the Punta de la Serra Major (avoid the top on a scree section). At the end, you come out onto the ridge at the end of the Cingles de Sant Joan.
Part 3: return via the Liseras path
Descend the north-facing slope to reach the Grau del Montsant below and a large cement track. Take the track down to the east and quickly fork right to take the small path that winds down the south-facing slope until you reach the GR-174. Turn right onto the GR, which winds its way over a festoon-shaped rock formation to return along the undulating terrain to the hermitage church of Sant Joan de Codolar.
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