On a recent trip to the Pre-Pyrenees, I had the chance to experience hiking the Congost de Montrebei, one of Spain’s most thrilling trails. In this post, I’ll share all the tips and essential details for anyone planning to explore this incredible adventure.
- This post contains affiliate links from which I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you). For more info, please read my disclosure. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Hiking in Congost de Montrebei, Catalonia
What is Congost de Montrebei
Congost de Montrebei is a breathtaking gorge that straddles the border between the Spanish regions of Aragon and Catalonia. With towering cliffs rising up to 500 meters and narrowing at certain points to under 20 meters, this awe-inspiring canyon offers an unparalleled natural beauty. It is the only gorge in Spain easily accessible to visitors, thanks to a historic bridle path carved into the rock.
The striking landscape of Montrebei Gorge is home to several remarkable hiking trails that offer panoramic views unlike any other, making it a must-visit for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.
How to Get to Congost de MontRebei
To visit Congost de Montrebei, renting a car is essential. The gorge is located about 3 hours from Barcelona, 2,5 hours from Andorra, and 1h15min from Lleida. It’s the perfect addition to a Pyrenees Road Trip Itinerary, a weekend in Lleida, or a weekend in Sierra de Guara in the Pre-Pyrenees, offering a seamless blend of nature and exploration.
The most important thing to know about Congost de Montrebei is that you must book your parking spot in advance, ideally a few days before your visit. The only parking option available is La Masieta, which tends to fill up quickly, especially during the summer months. You can reserve a spot for 8 euros through the official website.
On a personal note, I had the pleasure of visiting Congost de Montrebei this past April during a weekend in Sierra de Guara. However, this was my second attempt. My first visit was last October, when I tried to stop by during a trip to the Pyrenees of Catalonia. Unfortunately, I couldn’t secure a parking spot the day before, so I opted not to risk arriving without a guaranteed space.
When I finally made it in April, I found that the parking lot wasn’t full, although the entrance fee had increased slightly to 10 euros. On a weekday in April, parking without a prior reservation was still possible. However, La Masieta Parking is small and can’t accommodate all visitors, especially during Spain’s summer peak season, so it’s always better to plan ahead.
One thing worth mentioning – if you encounter the same issue I did – was the difficulty I had booking the parking in English due to a glitch in the system. Once I switched the language to Spanish, everything worked smoothly. La Masieta Parking operates from 7:30 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. during the high season and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. for the rest of the year. You can check the schedule here.
Hiking in Congost de Montrebei
Hiking in Congost de Montrebei is a truly unforgettable experience for all ages, with a variety of trails to explore. Although I wasn’t hiking with children on this occasion, I did notice many families enjoying the trails. My only word of caution is that the gorge has no safety barriers, so it’s essential to remain vigilant and keep a close eye on young ones. There are four main hiking trails to choose from in Congost de Montrebei:
- 1 – Alsamora Trail (4,8 km one-way / 3h 15 mins)
- 2 – Gorge Trail
- Option 1: 3,5 km one-way / 1h 45 mins (only the Montrebei Gorge)
- Option 2: 5 km one-way / 2 h 45 mins one way (till the Montfalco Walkways)
- 3 – Altimiris Trail (3,4 km one-way / 2h 10 mins)
- 4 – Obaga Grain Trail (4,7 km one-way / 2h 30 mins)
Most visitors opt for the Gorge Trail to experience the breathtaking beauty of Congost de Montrebei and its famous wooden walkways, the Pasarelas de Montfalco. I chose Option 2 of the Gorge Trail, which turned out to be a moderately challenging hike. The first section of the trail (Option 1) is an easy, shaded walk, perfect for a leisurely pace. However, once you reach the end of the gorge, the second part (Option 2) takes you on a more demanding ascent, with some steep climbs under the open sun as you make your way to the Montfalco Walkways. The walkways themselves are truly awe-inspiring, and if you’re in good physical condition, the extra effort required for Option 2 is absolutely worth it.
Tips for visiting Congost de Montrebei
- Book your parking in advance here (no vehicles are allowed beyond the parking area)
- Bring sun protection, enough water, and some layers (check my hiking essentials here)
- Do not leave the marked trails (especially for 4-Obaga trail: it might be dangerous)
- Dogs must be kept on a leash
If you like birdwatching in Spain bring binoculars. The walls and crags of Montrebei are full of unusual plant life (such as Pyrenean violet) and raptors (like bearded vultures and golden eagles). Also, the 3-Altamiris trail will take you to the ancient settlement of Altamiris (from the Vth-IXth centuries), which you will not see on a popular Gorge Trail.
Is Congost de Montrebei worth visiting?
Congost de Montrebei truly earns its spot among the top hiking destinations in Spain and the best trails in the Pyrenees. While this trail can’t quite be considered one of Spain’s hidden gems – given its popularity, even in the off-season of April – it remains an unforgettable experience.
The first part of the gorge trail offers a delightful, easy walk with stunning panoramic views, while the second half, leading towards the Montfalco Walkways, becomes more demanding due to the steep ascent and the midday sun. Despite the challenge, the journey was absolutely worth it. I’ll undoubtedly return to Congost de Montrebei one day.
You can check out the video from my visit on IG and TikTok.
Video from Congost de Montrebei
Read more about the Pyrenees:
- Top Adventurous Things to Do in the Pyrenees (read it)
- Beautiful Small Towns in the Spanish Pyrenees (read it)
- Exploring The Pre-Pyrenees of Spain: A weekend in Sierra de Guara (read it)
- Epic 7 Days in the Pyrenees of Spain (read it)
- 10-Day Pyrenees Itinerary: An Ultimate Road Trip from Madrid (read it)
- Hiking Trails in The Pyrenees You Can Not Miss (read it)
- Top Beautiful Places to Visit in the Spanish Pyrenees (read it)
- Exploring the Pyrenees of Catalonia (read it)
- 5 Epic Reasons to Visit the Pyrenees with Kids (read it)
- Top Romantic Things to do in Andorra (read it)
- The Spanish Pyrenees Road Trip 4-Day Itinerary (read it)
- Skiing in Spain: Our Baqueira Beret Family Getaway (read it)
- Top Things to Do in Andorra (read it)
- Best Foods in the Pyrenees of Spain (read it)
- 3 days in the Pyrenees of Aragon with Seniors & Kids (read it)
Pin it:
For more Spain travel tips check out my Pinterest board Spain Travel Collection and Flipboard Travel to Spain.
- Accommodation: For short stays, I usually book via Agoda, Booking, and Hotellook
- Tours&excursions: My favorites for guided tours are GetYourGuide and Viator
- Museums&attractions: Get mobile tickets for attractions via Tiqets (use ATC5 code for a 5% discount via this link)
- Semi-private & private tours: LivTours is my favorite place for unique & crafted experiences in Europe
- For Foodies: Eatwith is a unique platform for finding culinary experiences with locals around the world
- Audio guides: Book audio excursions & tours in 35+ countries via WeGoTrip
- Flights: Find the best deals with Skyscanner, WayAway, and Kiwi
- Driving in a new country? – Check out Tripiamo guides (do not miss Tripiamo Driving in Spain Guide)
- Train&bus tickets: Currently, I book via Trainline, Busbud, and Omio
- Car rental: To find the best deals, I use Rental Cars and Discover Cars
- Top E-Sim: To avoid roaming fees, I like Saily (use AtLifestyleCrossroads for for a 5% discount)
- Internet Security on the road: Connect safely to public Wi-Fi and bypass censorship with NordVPN
- Transfers: For individual transfer services, I like GetTransfer and Kiwitaxi
- Suitcases&Luggage: Discover where to store your luggage on the go with Radical Storage
- Travel Insurance: Find the best trip insurance plans via VisitorsCoverage and EKTA
- Compensation for delayed/canceled flights: Check out AirHelp and Compensair
- Renting Bikes: To find motorcycles, scooters, quads, and bicycles, I use BikesBooking
- Package Tours: Head to CheapOair and Expedia
- For Bloggers: To monetize my blog, I work with Travelpayouts and Stay22
- Website Owners: For hosting services, I work with and recommend Lyrical Host (get 10% off with my code ATC10)
What is the best time of year to hike the Congost de Montrebei? Can you also combine this with other nearby hikes (if any?) Thank you for all the Spain tips!
Despite not being a secret hike in Spain, the photos of the gorge look beautiful and well worth a visit.
This hike looks epic, I am used to hiking in Scandinavia a lot, so the climate in Spain would actually be a welcome change! 😀 PS, I have also had that issue with language in ATMs, that choosing English create some kind of problem :/ Weird!
This hike sounds great! I’ll be visiting Spain this summer for the first time. Unfortunately, I won’t have time for this hike. Maybe another time!
I love going hiking when I’m on a trip! It’s so much fun to get outside the city and do something unique. I missed this when I was in Spain, need to go back!