AJUNTAMENT DE
SANTA MARGARIDA I ELS MONJOS
Circular walk starting and ending in els Monjos that allows us to get to know one of the main elements of the architectural and historical heritage of the municipality; the hermitage of Penyafel.
The walk brings us closer to discovering vineyards and Mediterranean woodland, characterized by Aleppo pine forests with a rich undergrowth of aromatic plants such as thyme, rosemary and lavender. Once at the hermitage you can enjoy exceptional views of the Penedès plain.
The walk starts at the municipal Tourist Information Point, located at the entrance to els Monjos. From here, we set off along Avinguda Catalunya, crossing els Monjos as far as the Town Hall where we turn left onto carrer Anselm Clavé. We continue to the end and turn left onto carrer de la Perla; then we turn right following the asphalt road, leaving els Monjos centre behind. We cross the Llitrán gully and pass under the railway and high-speed train bridges. We continue along this paved road parallel to the tracks and after about 200m turn right onto the first dirt road we find.
Soon we reach the place known as the els Pins Alts (Tall Pines), and we continue along the path about 200m as far as a crossroads. We turn left heading in a SE direction. Now the path climbs between shrubland to the right and vineyards to the left. From here we can enjoy good views over the Penedès plain.
We walk about 550m and take a path to the right that is raised, then after another 100m we take another to the left and shortly afterwards we turn left at a fork. Now the path heads downhill and crosses a pine forest whose undergrowth is rich in aromatic plants, such as lavender and rosemary. In parts of this section, the ruts left in the rock by cart wheels are still preserved. We arrive beside Penyafel source: to see the source you will need to go down a small path and look for the main path again.
We cross Mas Granell valley over a small bridge surrounded by Mediterranean hackberry trees and continue the way as far as Penyafel farmhouse and hermitage, passing in front of a recovered pond to encourage the breeding of amphibians in the Foix Park.
To return we will follow the asphalt road that leaves Penyafel in the direction of els Monjos, passing by the stream and source of Mata-rectores, a place notable for its great plane trees. At the end of the stream, we reach a junction and leave the main path to turn right, passing under the high-speed train bridge first, and then the regional railway bridge. Two large nut pines stand out on the left bank. The now dirt way continues northwards among vineyards and at the next junction, we turn left. After a few metres, we pass under the pont de l’Escarbina or Beetle bridge and reach the starting point of our walk.
