EXCURSIONS FROM THE COSTA DORADA - MONTSANT NATURAL PARK

Serra Del Montsant Natural Park

The Serra del Monsant mountain range, in the inland county of Priorat, is one of the most impressive landscapes in Tarragona province.

It is home to a wide biological diversity, thanks to de unusual relief of the region, which is characterised by cliffs and ravines that makes access to the park difficult, helping to preserve its isolation.

There is a wide range of vegetation, from mountain holm -oak woods to shady ravine vegetation and the tree formations typical of very dry zones. This combination is the result of a relief that given rice to the existence of microclimates and a spectacular network of ravines.

The Monsant is home to one of the most abundant population of fauna in Catalonia. It should be mentioned that the area is located near the River Montsant, where we can find mammals such as the weasel, the genet, and the wildcat. The cliffs are breeding ground for various types of birds of prey, including some rare species such as Bonelli’s eagle and the Eurasian eagleowl. The river is noteworthy for its profusion of reptiles, amphibians and fish, including Lataste’s viper, the fire salamander, the barbell, and the European eel.
The Montsant (Sacred Mountain) is also known for its hermitage chapels, which are often located in improbable spots and demonstrate the symbolism of the area’s recent past. At the foot of the range we find the first Cartusian monastery established on the Iberian Penisula – Scala Dei – a reaffirmation of the mystical value of these mountains.