Funicular(1924). Town, named by Arabs, alleged by some to be connected with that well-known Catalan, Columbus. Blessed by the modernisme of early C20th urbanites then cursed by their politics. Baronial C16th fortified town house, C10th-18thcastle & church. Wonderful damp natural forests. Farms (1/2/3). Limestone hills, lime kilns (1/2), quarries, caves. Stupendous views over the Penedes plain (aka the pre-litoral depression) and of the Montserrat (1/2/3/4/5) and Sant Llorenç del Munt ranges. Pylons and power (1/2/3/4). Castle (mentioned in context of C10th Moorish battles) and chapel (1/2) with unusual cemetery and cross dug into rocky outcrop. Steepish and brambly descent (views back to route’s start (1/2) to cava village (1/2) with C10th church and C16th renaissance-gothic tower (1/2). Small portion of marshy gorge with (2003-4) bridge for AVE high speed train from Madrid to Barcelona. Optional look at cava facilities in Sant Sadurní.
| your group | |
|---|---|
| number of people in your group (kids 0-2 don't count, kids 3-16 = 0.5) |
This is the total size of the group. Unlike other (city) tours, you won't have to share your guide with a couple of dozen strangers. |
| Grade | strenuous |
| Base | Barcelona |
| Location tags | Alt Penedès, Catalonia, Gelida, Sant Sadurní, |
| Theme tags | architecture, gastronomy, nature, |
| Your guide | Mr Baldie |
| Walking distance | 18 km / 11.18 miles |
| Walking time, excluding breaks | 4.30 hr |
| Total return travel time from base to walk | 1.45 hr |
| Total time from "hello" to "goodbye" | 6.40 hr |