Hiking to the Elefant of Montserrat

Montserrat Trail Overview

L’elefant (the elephant) is one of the gems of Montserrat and not only for climbers, but also for hikers. When you have a look at this curious summit you can perfectly imagine an elephant in the south face and you may think that is impossible to reach the summit without climbing the 200m wall. But from Sant Salvador Hermitage there is a path that links with the scrambling section of Elefant. If you haven’t climbed before or you have acrophobia is better to avoid this last part. Reaching Sant Salvador Hermitage and arriving at the scrambling part is incredibly gorgeous so don’t hesitate!

Montserrat Monastery – Sant Benet

Starting the hike in the Monastery of Montserrat the path that is taken begins at the end of the monastery, where there is a fountain and steps going up.

This path is the same than the one taken for doing the Sant Jeroni hike so at first has to be followed the marks of the GR… and climb up through the canyon until the path arrives at the point where it is marked the path to Sant Benet to the right. The path keeps going up but with fewer stairs for arriving at a point where it is marked a trail to the left indicating Refugi de Sant Benet.

This mountain hut is an old hermitage that now is a shelter for mountaineers and it is a good place to overnight.

Sant Benet – Elefant de Montserrat

Once you see the hermitage to the left, to the right there is a small path that crosses an old door and goes through the forest. It quickly splits into 2 and the path on the left arrives at Sant Salvador Hermitage, a small shelter for hikers used during many years by monks to do spiritual retires. It is located at the bottom of L’elefant and like many other shelters in Montserrat, a carved cave with a fire, a small window, a bench and a door. In Sant Salvador Hermitage is possible to overnight. At the left, there is a small and slippery path that goes up until a very nice viewpoint.

Before arriving at the viewpoint, at the end of the way up, to the right there is a small trail that leads to the wall that has to be scrambled. The first 10m goes straight right up through a dihedral that has a bush in the middle. When it arrives at the area of the trees has. to be climbed a small wall to the right and quickly go through the bushes until the last chimney pass that leads to the summit.

Scrambling to the top of the Elefant of Montserrat

The Pass in the chimney is around III climbing difficulty and it’s possible that you require some equipment to scrambling the last 5m. For experienced climbers is very easy but not recommended for those who are not used to climb often. The way down is on the same way and all the scrambling area has to be done in the same way because all the other walls are vertical walls.

This route can be linked with the route to Sant Jeroni Summit, the highest peak of Montserrat.

The way back to the monastery of Montserrat can be done following the same path. It is also possible to follow the GR to the “Canal de la Font Del Gat” and it arrives at the free parkings area.

Recommendations

-Be careful with the weather conditions because it can change quickly and in an unexpected way, especially during spring and summer. In case of bad weather conditions is better not to hike around the area due to rockfalls and floods. 

-In case of setting up a tent, avoid the camping areas and nearby without permission and notice that is illegal to set up a tent in Spain. If it is wanted to take the risk, set up the tent in a remote place at sunset and wake up early to avoid forest rangers. During summertime, there are more controls.

-Your safety is our concern but always your responsibility, Hiking requires a minimum of preparation and wearing proper clothing as warm clothes, proper boots…