Sant Miquel de Montserrat & the Degotalls Trail
While most visitors head straight for the monastery, the Degotalls trail loops west from the main square through fragrant Mediterranean scrubland to the Sant Miquel hermitage — offering solitude, wildflowers in spring and the best full-frontal view of the monastery complex from a distance.
The Degotalls Path
The circular Degotalls route (PR-C 151) is just 3.5 km and takes about 90 minutes at a leisurely pace. It passes through stands of Aleppo pine and strawberry trees, with interpretive panels explaining the geology of the conglomerate rock — essentially ancient river pebbles cemented into cliff faces by geological pressure.
In April and May the path edges are thick with cistus, lavender and wild thyme, and you will likely spot blue rock thrushes and short-toed eagles riding thermals overhead. This is one of the richest spots for birdwatching in the Barcelona province.
Sant Miquel Hermitage
The tiny Sant Miquel hermitage sits on a projecting ledge with a jaw-dropping unobstructed view of the full monastery facade and the vertical walls of the massif behind it — the classic postcard shot that most visitors never find because they stay in the main plaza.
The hermitage itself is usually locked but the terrace is always accessible. Bring a picnic and sit on the stone wall as the light changes across the rock face; the late afternoon glow is genuinely spectacular.
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