Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac Natural Park

Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac Natural Park is in Barcelona (province) of Catalonia. It is made up of the massif of Sant Llorenç del Munt and the Obac range. Its main peaks are Montcau (1,056.7 m) and Mola (1,101.9 m), where the Romanesque monastery of Sant Llorenç del Munt is located, along with other structures such as lime kilns graves.

Understand
The Natural Park of Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac is made up of the massif of Sant Llorenç del Munt and the Obac range. It has a protected area of ​​13,694 hectares distributed between the counties of Bages, Vallès Occidental, and Moianès.



Landscape
The park encompasses two massifs: that of Sant Llorenç del Munt, culminating in the mentioned peaks of La Mola and Montcau, each over a thousand meters, and the Serra de l'Obac, not as elevated; its highest peaks are Castellsapera (939.3 m above sea level), the hill of Castellar (931 m above sea level), and the hill of Tres Creus (929.7 m above sea level). Both mountain ranges are separated to the south by the Riera de les Arenes (a tributary of the Riera de Rubí) and to the north by the Estenalles stream. The central point of the park is the Estenalles pass (870.4 m), where there is an information centre.

The topography of this entire area is very rugged, full of cliffs and channels, with torrents and streams in all directions. Geologically, conglomerates predominate, forming a relief similar to the neighbouring massif of Montserrat.

Flora and fauna
Predominantly Aleppo pine forests give way to Scots pine and Austrian pine at higher elevations. Holm oak forests dominate, enriched above 800 meters with species like rowan and boxwood. Cliff areas host unique plants such as living fossils like Ramonda myconi and endemic Saxifraga callosa. Spring brings a vibrant display of wildflowers, including thyme, lilies, tulips, and narcissus.

The park boasts extensive forests, stunning cliffs, and towering crags, providing optimal conditions for refuge, breeding, hibernation, and migration for numerous vertebrate species. The diverse ecological environments within the park support distinct faunal communities, ranging from typical rock-dwelling inhabitants to animals found near farmsteads and woodland fauna. With nearly two hundred vertebrate species, including carnivorous mammals like the stone marten, genet, fox, and badger, the park plays a crucial ecological role. Wild boars have notably increased, leaving traces despite hunting pressure. Squirrels, rabbits, and diverse bird species, such as blackbirds, pigeons, and jays, are commonly observed. Raptors like the short-toed snake eagle, hawks, and falcons occasionally grace the sky, while rare sightings may include vultures and possibly the golden eagle. Noteworthy are wintering colonies of the Schreibers' long-fingered bat. Reptiles like the Montpellier snake and Lataste's viper inhabit rocky ridges, and amphibians, including colourful salamander larvae and various toad species, thrive in mountain springs.

Climate
It has a subhumid Mediterranean climate. Therefore, the main forest that develops here is the evergreen oak forest, and there are also pine forests, although there are significant cork oak forests, such as those of Les Teixoneres or Sot de la Bóta.

Get in
Motorways
 * (Barcelona-Terrassa-Manresa), exits 41 and 49

Roads
 * Terrassa-Rellinars
 * Navarcles-Talamanca-Terrassa
 * Terrassa-Castellar del Vallès-Sant Llorenç Savall

Fees and permits
It's free to enter.

See




Hiking

 * GR-5 🇵🇱 Poland enters the park in Rellinars and leaves it in Sant Llorenç Savall
 * SL-C 56 Saxony Castell de Pera.6.5 km, mid level. Starts in the parking of Marquet de les Roques (See )
 * SL-C 69 Saxony Cova de Mura. 5.6 km, mid level. Starts in Mura Village. near Àrea d'esplai de la riera de Nespres. See
 * SL-C 67 Saxony Balmes, masies i molins. 4.8 km, mid level. Starts in Mura Village. near Àrea d'esplai de la riera de Nespres. See
 * SL-C 66 Saxony Les mil fonts de la riera de Nespres. 7.5km mid level. Starts in Mura Village. near Àrea d'esplai de la riera de Nespres. See
 * SL-C 65 Saxony Camí de les Arenes. 5km, easy. Starts in Àrea d'esplai de les Arenes. See
 * SL-C 63 Saxony La font de la Portella. 3.5km, easy. starts in  Casa Nova de l'Obac information point. See
 * SL-C 62 Saxony La font del Janet. 2.5km, easy. Starts in the village of Talamanca.
 * SL-C 61 Saxony A Sant Jaume de Vallhonesta pel camí dels Maquis. 6km, mid level. starts in Pont de Vilomara.
 * SL-C 58 Saxony La riera de Talamanca. 4km, easy. Starts in the village of Talamanca.
 * SL-C 57 Saxony La pedra seca. 6.5km, easy. Starts in the village of Rellinars.
 * SL-C 54 Saxony A la Mola des del coll d'Estenalles. 5,8km. only go, you have to return. starts in  Estenalles pass Tourist office. See
 * SL-C 53 Saxony De Sant Vicenç de Castellet a Sant Pere de Vallhonesta. 7km, mid level. Starts in the village of  Sant Vicenç de Castellet.
 * SL-C 52 Saxony Les tines de la vall del Flequer. 5.4km, easy. starts in Pàrking de Ca n'Oristrell. (See ).
 * SL-C 51 Saxony La Torrota de Vacarisses. 4km, easy. Starts in the village of Vacarises.
 * SL-C 50 Saxony A la Mola des de Can Robert. 10.2km, mid level. Starts in can Robert, near parking Àrea d'esplai del Torrent de l'Escaiola. (See ).

Climbing
The natural park has been divided into three areas. In each of them the type of activity allowed and its regulation is determined.

Areas where you can climb all year round
Climbing and the opening of new routes will be allowed at any time of the year in the following areas:


 * Zone 1 From the Agulla de Can Robert cliff to the Castellassa de Can Torres (Agonies, Cap del Faraó, Rock of the Eleven Hours, Cap de Mort and Plecs del Libre).
 * Zone 2 From the cliff of the Mal Pas de Can Pobla channel to the Mur de la Sibéria (Foradada de Can Pobla, Bolet de Can Pobla cliff, El Diafragma, Pi del Vent, Soleia fountain, Cova de les Ánimes and Revolt del Drac ).
 * Zone 3 From Sescorts to the source of the Saüc (Sescorts, cliff of the Mico channel, cliff of the Horses, Roc Colom and Hort dels Monjos).
 * Zone 4 Also included in zone A: the Cova del Drac, the Óbits, the Pola-Tres Creus-Agulles de Tanca area, the Placa Sibarit, the Morral del Llop and the Pedritxes-Foradades area.

Due to the fragility of the natural system and in order to respect the rock fauna of some of the climbing areas specified in this section, it is recommended not to climb from January 1 to July 31, on the cliffs between the Mal Pas canal and the Can Pobla canal; in the cliffs between the Squirrel channel and the Eleven Hours rock, and in the cliffs and monoliths from the Plecs del Llibre to the Gentil channel, as well as in the Siberian Wall.

Temporarily restricted climbing areas
Areas where it is not possible to climb during the breeding season of rock birds (from January 1 to July 31). New roads cannot be opened in these areas.


 * Zone 1 Les Fogueroses (the Paller, the Giant and the Small Needle).
 * Zone 2 Roca Mur (lower walls).
 * Zone 3 The Cavall Bernat de la Vall, the Emprius and the Falconera or Sabatera.
 * Zone 4 Roca Petanta

Areas where you cannot climb at any time of the year

 * Zone 1 Western sector of the road from Terrassa to Talamanca (BV-1221) including the entire Sierra de l'Obac (except Morral del Llop, Placa Sibarit, Pola-coll de Tres Creus, les Foradades and les Pedritxes).
 * Zone 2 All the cliffs in the North of the Serra de Sant Llorenç del Munt from the Cova del Drac to the Vall (except the Óbits and, temporarily, the Fogueroses, the Roca Mur, the Emprius and Cavall Bernat de la Vall.
 * Zone 3 Eastern slope of the Camí de la Senyora (including the Roja cave and the Castellassa del Dalmau).

Consequently, climbing is not permitted in the following places: Can Pèlecs, Cova Roja, el Mugró, túró dels Cabrits, túró del Boc, túró de les Nou Cabres, la Morella, paret de les Foguerosses (except those mentioned in section B), Llor channel, Serrat de la Coca spiers, Montcau, Mata-rodona, Mata-rodona spires, Bócs Castle, El Paller de Tot l'Any, Roca Salvatge, Castellsapera, Roques de la Coca, les Cortins, Castell de la Serra de l'Espluga, Mal Pas de Puigdoure hill, Les Formigues, Castellassa del Dalmau and La Pallera, Roca del Corb, Morrals de la Mata, Morral de la Bassa, Morral d'en Bens.

Caving
Caving is a specialised sporting activity, for the practice of which it is recommended to have training before carrying it out. It is important to communicate which cave or chasm you will go to, as access to the cavities is often complicated.

In the Natural Park of Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac, access to some cavities is regulated in order to protect the cave fauna.


 * Cova Simanya: access only allowed with the guided tour. Visiting period: all year round. More information here.
 * Cova de Mura: access only allowed with the guided tour, from April 1 to November 30. More information here.
 * Cova de les Ànimes (municipal term of Matadepera) will be closed, until further notice, for archaeological excavations by the Archeology and Paleontology Service of the Generalitat de Catalunya.
 * Avancs del Daví and Castellsapera: access prohibited between October 15 and May 15.

Mushroom picking
The tradition of going mushroom picking is very popular in Catalonia. Often, however, they are unknown characteristics and not enough care is taken when pick some, The mushroom is the reproductive organ of an organism filamentous, the fungus, which lives in the forest floor. The fungi perform an essential recycling function: the decomposition of leaf litter. When you go mushroom hunting, besides being respectful with the environment and avoiding the abandonment of waste, you should follow the following recommendation: there are mushrooms that are poisonous. Pick only those that know well but respect them all.

Springs
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Sleep
The easiest way is to look for lodging is in nearby cities of Terrassa or Manresa. Even Barcelona is close enough.

Stay safe

 * Plan the route you want to take and always bring a map to guide you. Bear in mind that online maps can not be used if there is no data coverage. Use downloadable maps on your phone.
 * Always try to walk on clearly marked or signposted paths or trails.
 * Bring suitable footwear, water, a supply of groceries, comfortable and warm clothing, as well as a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
 * If you go in a group, don't lose sight of the rest of your colleagues. Never abandon or leave a fellow traveler behind.
 * Strong winds can cause branches and other items to fall. On crests or ridges, the risk of accidents can increase. Avoid exposed areas in strong wind conditions.
 * In fog it is easy to get disoriented, do not leave the main path.
 * In downpours or electrical storms, leave summit ridges, isolated trees, and cave entrances. A dense forest can serve as a shelter.

Go next

 * Montserrat Natural Park
 * Montseny Natural Park