Frontier Holidays

Type: Independent Walks in Spain
Price: From £485 - £590 per week B&B (based on two sharing).

Medieval walled towns, monasteries, vineyards and delightful views over a fertile rolling landsacpe.

View Ruta del Cister in a larger map

THE AREA
This is arguably one of Spain's richest regions both in historical, architectural and gastronomical terms.  Walled medieval towns such as Montblanc still retain their original cobbled feel, and the land is dotted with numerous small villages.

Formerly part of the powerful kingdom of Aragon and Catalunia, all three Cistercian monasteries along the route were built within 25 years in the mid 12th Century.  Their dominance over the landscape was absolute both in social and political spheres.  The pantheon in the monastery of Poblet is a veritable who's who of Catalan monarchs.

Today the land is still mainly under arable or vine with many of Spain's top wine producers having recognised the merits of the soil especially for making sparkling wine.  The lush fields are occasionally broken by low ranges of hills where native oak and pine woodland dominate.

THE ITINERARY
The Ruta del Cister follows a triangular pattern with a monastery at each corner.  We've chosen the following order for visiting each of these monuments.

Day 1 Arrive Reus Airport and transfer to Montblanc.

Day 2 Walk to l'Espluga de Francoli via the Monsatery of Poblet, the richest working monastery of the three.  Your route takes you up into the hills on paths past the cave hermitage of Sant Joan before descending gently on a mix of dirt tracks and paths through deciduous woods to the vines tended by the monks of Poblet. 
13kms  4hrs Total Ascent 470m - Medium

Day 3 Continue on to Vallbona and its monastery inhabited by only a handful of nuns.  Today you quickly leave the bustle of the town behind, passing more vineyards before traversing the low escarpment to the north of Poblet.  Drop gently into another world on wide tracks through terraced wheat fields into the interior of the Tarragona countryside.
21,5kms 6hrs Total Ascent 450m Easy – Medium

Day 4  A morning visit tio the Monastery of Vallbona.  Then the compass swings ninety degrees east still following idyllic tracks through shady stands of oaks.  Regaining the escarpment the views open up over the Conca de Barberá, an area famed for its  wines and tasty cheeses.
10.7kms 3hrs Total Ascent 370m  Easy

Day 5 A gradual ridge ascent to the highest point of the week with an outstanding panorama of your itinerary.  The descent towards the village of Pont d'Armentera on the river Gaia winds through mediterranean scrub and aromatic vegetation.
19kms 5hrs 30mins Total Ascent 500m Medium

Day 6 A pleasant morning's walk through riverside vineyards and arable fields to the monastery of Santes Creus and back. Though no longer in working order, it houses an visitor centre with excellent guided tours in English.  The audio visual installation also in English should not be missed.
10kms 3hrs  Total Ascent 50m Easy
Transfer to Tarragona.

Day 7 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.

Day 8 Transfer to Reus Airport.



THE ACCOMMODATION
You'll get a real flavour of warm Catalan hospitality from our hand picked hostelries. 

Some are old, others new, but they all take pride in their lodgings and the fare they provide, and will all welcome you as one of their own. 
All rooms with ensuite facilities.

Montblanc – Pension  Angels.  Family run and definitely the preferred eatery for the lunchtime locals.

l'Espluga -L'Ocell Francoli. Opened just 10 years ago, but Carlos and his wife take great pride in their kitchen and affordable wine list.

Vallbona Monastery.  The sisters have always opened their doors to the public.  The rooms are sparsely furnished as you would expect, but clean and comfortable with en suite facilities.  Meals served at nearby inn.

Rocafort de Queralt.  A family run Hostal where the food is excellent. 

Pont d'Armentera – Beautiful country house set in its own riverside vineyard producing internationally renowned wines. 

Tarragona – Hotel Plaça de la Font.  Situated on the old Roman forum right in the heart of the old town.

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When to go: All year except August
Transfer Options: Reus or Barcelona Airport. Train to Montblanc.
Grade of Difficulty: Mediano - Rolling Hills
What's included.: 6 days walking with full notes and maps. 6 nights half board with en suite bedrooms. 1 night 3 star hotel B&B in Tarragona.
Linear - multi based: Yes