Siurana and Priotat Trekking | History and Wine Tasting

7 Days

Overview

An idyllic cocktail of history, culture trekking and wine tasting in the Priotat region of Spain with a visit to Siurana. Trekking up to 20km per day and 2 wine tastings included, walking for 4-5 hours on average. Hotel, apartment and mountain refuge stays. This playground and climbers paradise won’t disappoint! We finish in Cambrils on the coast after wine tasting in Gratallops.  This trip runs with 4 people.

About:

Siurana was the last Moorish stronghold in Catalonia and fell in 1153 Between Camp de Tarragona and was the last Muslim enclave to fall to the Christians in Catalonia.  Today a Natural Park, we find areas of great beauty and natural interest: the area of Siurana +700m, and the Sierra of Llaberia. It is a route that crosses the most emblematic mountains of the Costa Daurada, joining the Natural Park of the Serra de Montsant (Priorat) with the Prades Mountains (Baix Camp), full of surprising places surrounded with peace and harmony. Cornudella where we start walking boasts an Art Nouveau cooperative wine celler built in 1919 by Cèsar Martinell, student of Gaudí as well as a Renaissance church dedicated to Saint Mary. Siurana also conserves remains of the Moorish castle, the military buildings or “hisn” which were built around 9th century as a control centre. They belong to an extensive territory dominated by the Moors and located in a strategic position of defence at the entrance to the village. The conquest of this castle by Ramon Berenguer IV was planned before those of Tortosa and Lleida, but was not completed until 1153.Once conquered, it was passed to Bertran de Castellet and later on to Albert de Castellvell. It served as dowry for the Catalan royalty, to guarantee pacts amongst other functions. The Priorat is a place associated with world-renowned wines and a living agricultural landscape of outstanding beauty, with Siurana and the Carthusian monastery of Escaladei as its biggest attractions.

The Priorat is a land of contrasts, infused with peace, with typical countryside of agriculture and a very hilly geography which hides its’ charming vineyards and olive groves. In Spain, and nowadays in the whole world the name of Priorat already a synonym of wonderful and powerful wines. Moreover, here in this small region we find two different appellations of origin of wines (DOQ Priorat and DO Montsant). We will have plenty of opportunity for a wine tasting en route.

Itinerary

Arrivals in Tarragona
We take the short journey from Reus airport to Tarragona. Visit Tarragona roman amphitheatre. The first occupation of Tarragona is attributed to Gneus Scipio, who founded a Roman military camp here in 218 BC. It grew quickly and was named a colony of Rome in 45 BC by Julius Caesar. Tarragona is considered the most important Roman town in Spain.
The Roman Amphitheatre is situated on the coast, just off the Rambla Nova. At Tarragona’s highest point sits the 12th century cathedral; located within cathedral is the Museu Diocesà, housing an interesting collection of Catalan art.
The Archaeological Museum can be found at Plaça del Rei 5, overlooking the sea and the Necropolis Museum, just outside of the main town, displays one of the most important Christian burial sites in Spain, which was used between the 3rd and 5th centuries. Hotel

Cornudella de Montsant – Siurana, St Maria 730m– Arboli
We climb up to Siurana (706m) after having delighted in the Panta Siurana lake. La Siurana is the Christian name for the town. Originally, it was known by the Latin name of La Seviriana, but was changed to Xibrana after being conquered by the Umayyads. A memorial cross was erected in 1953 to commemorate the reconquest of Siurana 800 years before in 1153, the last Muslim enclave to fall to the Christians in Catalonia. We pass the Siurana de Prades reservoir and castle.
We will stay in B&B accommodation. 9.8km, 6hrs including lunch and dip.

Starting from the chapel of St Paul we contour until there is the opportunity to climb up Puig Gallicant to an abandoned village, occupied until 1965 when the resident farmers moved down to Arboli. Local people made a living from farming wheat, oats, rye and chickpeas in their farms and vineyards, in the flatter areas of lower height. We then pass the spectacular Gorg del Mas des Frares before entering the deep sided canyon walls of of Febro and reaching the refuge de Mussara. 11km, +487m – 234m (B,L,D)

An easy day through beautiful forest via pont de Goi and Covas de les Gralles from where we will walk down until to Prades village (in the Major square we will find one of the most famous fountains in the country).

Spectacular route via the quaint village of Albarca. Magnificent views of Montsant and an intriguing and photogenic path. Albarca was depopulated after the Spainish Civil war. In Arabic it means blessed mountain and was the high peoint for the high road between Llieda and Fraga. The chapel la mere de Deu you can see was founded in the 12th centuary. We spend this night in Cornudella and enjoy its vibrant, multicultural charm. Well known also as a hub for climbers there are many fine bakeries and cafes. Apartment/B&B accommodation. (B,L,D)

In the morning we catch a bus to Falset which takes around 40 minutes from where we take a 2 hour walk from Falset to Gratellops before our vinyard visit and coastal finish.
On your walk you will discover the ancient bridle paths that linked Falset with Gratallops, a village located deep in the heart of Priorat and well known for centuries for its excellent wines. This will be your first stop, having time to savour the delicious wines of the DOQ (Apellation) of Priorat. Celler Devinssi is a small artisan wine producer in Gratallops established in year 2000. We elaborate DOQ Priorat wines and we are determined about the quality of our products. Try at least 3 wines during a guided tasting with a local winemaker, on the vineyard with breath-taking views, tasting included. Following this we will get a taxi to the train station in Falset and catch a train to Reus at 17.59 where we will spend the night or be tranported there. If on public transport we use the local bus to get to the train station, leaving this small wine country.
Hotel in Reus. Let me know if you prefer to stay in Cambrils. (B,L)

Beach morning or departures. The Catalonian town of Cambrils is up in northeastern Spain, along the glamorous Costa Dorada. It’s a polished fishing village that’s retained its old town charm, which means a great mix of markets in the old town, nightlife on the promenade and Michelin-starred restaurants on tucked-away side streets. We depart in the morning or early afternoon according to your flight time. (B)

Included in this trip:

  • Accommodation and food as specified in the programme;
  • Transport to and from airport on a single timed transfer per group;
  • Local transport as per the itinerary;
  • Guiding by a qualified International
  • Mountain leader 1:10 maximum ratio.

Not included in this trip:

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Mountain snacks
  • Phone calls
  • Any additional transport or accommodation needed if you have to leave the group for a medical or fitness reason

Accommodation

We will stay in 3* hotels at the beginning and end of the trek and mountain / village auberges or refuges during the walk.

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

Siurana and Priotat Trekking | History and Wine Tasting
From £1,125
/ Adult
From £995
/ Child aged 5-12 years