| grade | medium |
| region(s) | Alt Penedès |
| walking distance | 16 km / 9.9 miles |
| walking time, excluding breaks | 5 hr |
| travel time there and back | 2 hr |
| travel costs there and back per person | €3.96 / £3.14 / $6.12 (rates from ECB) |
|
Fine village bar. C18th neo-classical church. Saturday market. C13thsemi-fortified hospital (marble losing its Roman) at junction of two riverson old pilgrims’ road from the eastern Mediterranean via Barcelona andVilafranca to Santiago de Compostela. Garraf Natural Park. Geology dominated by limestone karst, dry hilltopsmingling with humid valleys and the occasional cave (we pass a 206m sink).Rich range of flora, morphing during walk from northern to southern Med-typescrub, inc Pistachia lentiscus, Olea europaea sylvestris, Ceratonia siliqua,Chamaerops humilis; fires in the mid-90s = young pine thickets. Similarlydiverse fauna: Monticola saxatilis, Galerida theklae, lots more birdsfeeding on the creepy crawlies about which I know less but which lurkin every crevice; big nasties include Bubo bubo and Lycosa tarentula (bothrare). Poke around in deserted farmhouses - and wonder at what German hippiesleave behind - if you’re not in a hurry to get to sun, sand and Sitges.Optional wander around main diurnal sights. Ornithologists will find that this combines wellwith a trip to the Llobregat delta, while the Aiguamolls de l’Empordàand the Ebro delta are not far. Ask me if you want to know more. Sourcesincluded the 1:50K ICC map. |
Hitting go! on this form sends me email telling what you're interested in. I'll then send you more information and a price, generally €30 per person + €20 fixed. There are ample discounts for large families or individuals with potential for generating interesting conversations with lazy old men along the way--star soccer players, pigeon fanciers and women in search of a haircut spring to mind. Minimum prices apply. Even cheaper walks here.
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