stone walls as it seemingly skims the rocks in flight. in rocks the skims seemingly it as walls stone

derside of its leaves are downy. downy. are leaves its of derside

- lime the on falls shadow its and sky the against figure

- un the and shoots new its gests,

7. 6.

visitors to enjoy the spectacular scenery. spectacular the enjoy to visitors flight, as its golden body and black wings cut a splendid splendid a cut wings black and body golden its as flight, - sug name Latin the As forests.

8. Illustrations: ToniLlobet

Catalonia is found in highland highland in found is rebei. Here one can fully appreciate the majesty of its its of majesty the appreciate fully can one Here rebei. allowing rock, the into cut been has that path bridle a by

up to 25 metres high and in in and high metres 25 to up

bearded vulture, nests along the cliff faces of the Mont- the of faces cliff the along nests vulture, bearded only crossed is It visitors. to accessible easily also is that

A deciduous tree that can grow grow can that tree deciduous A

jackdaws. The most threatened of our raptors, the the raptors, our of threatened most The jackdaws. but state pristine nearly a in remains that gorge great last

Quercus pubescens Quercus

eagle-owl, along with noisy yellow- and red-beaked red-beaked and yellow- noisy with along eagle-owl, country’s the is It metres. 20 than less to points at rows Downy Oak Downy 8.

Egyptian vulture, the golden eagle and the Eurasian Eurasian the and eagle golden the vulture, Egyptian - nar that span a with metres, 500 of heights reaches that

with the autumn rains. rains. autumn the with such as the Peregrine falcon, the common vulture, the the vulture, common the falcon, Peregrine the as such canyon a of depths the through runs river Ribagorçana

shrivels before sprouting again again sprouting before shrivels

The cliff faces are dotted with the nests of birds of prey prey of birds of nests the with dotted are faces cliff The Noguera the gorge, Mont-rebei the through passes it As

on various violet hues, and then then and hues, violet various on

Cliff-dwelling birds Cliff-dwelling other any unlike gorge A

blooms from May to July, taking taking July, to May from blooms

the eastern half of Catalonia. It It Catalonia. of half eastern the

and mountanous regions of of regions mountanous and

5.

shaded rocks in the Pyrenees Pyrenees the in rocks shaded

4.

It grows in the cracks between between cracks the in grows It

Ramonda myconi Ramonda

Pyrenean violet Pyrenean 7.

May and August. and May

substrates. It flowers between between flowers It substrates.

in rock fissures on calcareous calcareous on fissures rock in

and the Pre-Pyrenees, living living Pre-Pyrenees, the and

A plant endemic to the Pyrenees Pyrenees the to endemic plant A

3.

Saxifraga longifolia Saxifraga

King of Saxifrages of King 6.

2.

for air. for

six minutes without coming up up coming without minutes six

can remain submerged for up to to up for submerged remain can

animals. A superb swimmer that that swimmer superb A animals.

on fish, frogs, and other aquatic aquatic other and frogs, fish, on

A carnivorous mammal that feeds feeds that mammal carnivorous A

Lutra lutra Lutra

European otter European 5.

bed in search of food. of search in bed

- stream the along creeps it where

waters of mountain streams, streams, mountain of waters

It lives in the cold, oxygen-rich oxygen-rich cold, the in lives It

Euproctus asper Euproctus

Palmate Newt Palmate 4.

and pit caves, home to bats and other subterranean fauna. subterranean other and bats to home caves, pit and

ows and scrublands. Rounding out the extensive biodiversity of the region are its caverns caverns its are region the of biodiversity extensive the out Rounding scrublands. and ows

spends the winter in Africa. in winter the spends - mead dry with covered is crest Montsec windswept dry, The scrublands. and boxwood,

carrion. It is a migratory bird and and bird migratory a is It carrion.

amphitheater of stunning cliff faces. cliff stunning of amphitheater sunny slopes are dominated by Mediterranean vegetation such as Holm oak, stands of of stands oak, Holm as such vegetation Mediterranean by dominated are slopes sunny

feeds on leftovers and small small and leftovers on feeds

tion of the mountainside. Dense oak groves are found on the shaded slopes, while the the while slopes, shaded the on found are groves oak Dense mountainside. the of tion

The smallest European vulture; vulture; European smallest The the Mont-rebei gorge, which opens on the South into an an into South the on opens which gorge, Mont-rebei the

- orienta the to according vary that niches ecological other are there seen, be sometimes

Neophron percnopterus Neophron

eagle and the common vulture. In addition to the cliff faces and the river, where otters can can otters where river, the and faces cliff the to addition In vulture. common the and eagle

river forms an immense series of vertical walls known as as known walls vertical of series immense an forms river

Egyptian Vulture Egyptian 3.

saxifrage, and offering nesting sites for raptors such as the bearded vulture, the golden golden the vulture, bearded the as such raptors for sites nesting offering and saxifrage,

the area, hosting unusual plant life such as the Pyrenean violet and the “corona de rey” rey” de “corona the and violet Pyrenean the as such life plant unusual hosting area, the As it cuts across the , the Noguera Ribagorçana Ribagorçana Noguera the range, Montsec the across cuts it As

in flight. in

The walls and crags of the narrow gorge make up some of the most unique habitats in in habitats unique most the of some up make gorge narrow the of crags and walls The

attain speeds of up to 240 km/h km/h 240 to up of speeds attain

Flora and fauna and Flora

hunter and a carrion bird. It can can It bird. carrion a and hunter

mountainous regions. It is both a a both is It regions. mountainous

A large eagle that lives in craggy, craggy, in lives that eagle large A

N42º05’47,61’’ E00º41’49,40’’ N42º05’47,61’’

1. Aquila chrysaetos Aquila part of the oak-covered, shaded side of the Montsec d’Ares. Montsec the of side shaded oak-covered, the of part

GPS coordinates: GPS

Golden eagle Golden 2.

of the river otter), the cliffs (habitat to large birds of prey), and and prey), of birds large to (habitat cliffs the otter), river the of Sarga ( Jussà) (Pallars Sarga

Catalan side: the gorge itself as well as the riverbanks (home (home riverbanks the as well as itself gorge the side: Catalan

Location: Sant Esteve de la la de Esteve Sant

them from great heights. great from them

Area:

598,71 ha 598,71

Fundació Reserve protects almost 600 hectares on the the on hectares 600 almost protects Reserve Fundació lows whole or breaks by dropping dropping by breaks or whole lows

Year purchased: purchased: Year

1999

- swal it which bones, on mainly

of the Catalan Pre-Pyrenees, from North to South. The The South. to North from Pre-Pyrenees, Catalan the of

Large and slim-framed. It feeds feeds It slim-framed. and Large

gorge gorge divides the Montsec range, the first major formation formation major first the range, Montsec the divides gorge

Gypaetus barbatus Gypaetus

Situated between and Catalonia, the Mont-rebei Mont-rebei the Catalonia, and Aragon between Situated Mont-Rebei Bearded vulture Bearded 1.

Mont-rebei gorge N 230 - I VIELHA How to get there? C 13 - POBLA DE SEGUR

PONT DE N-230 MONTANYANA C-1311 BENAVARRI N 123 - BARBASTRO Congost de Mont-rebei ALSAMORA C-13 LV-9124 GUÀRDIA DE NOGUERA N-230 ST. ESTEVE DE LA SARGA ALFARRÀS GPS coordinates: N42º05’47,61’’ E00º41’49,40’’ N 230 - C 13 - LLEIDA Facilities La Masieta, information center in the gorge. Open from February to mid-December, all Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and long weekends. From mid-July to mid-September, every day. Opening hours From February to mid-March 8.30–17.00 h From mid-March to mid-September 7.30–20.00 h From mid-September to mid-December 8.30–17.00 h Services:

La Masieta s/n, Sant Esteve de la Sarga [email protected] www.congostdemontrebei.cat Xarxa Espais Natura With the colaboration of:

Ajuntament de Sant Esteve de la Sarga

Space managed by: The Vertical Our commitment to society: Fundació Catalunya-la Pedrera, manager of Espai Natura Congost de Mont-rebei, helps people to build a better and fairer future. Therefore, we offer oportunities to people in need, we promote talent, creation and education and we preserve natural and cultural heritage. By purchasing this guide you are contributing to the environmental preservation and protection of this area. Landscape Map of the area +600 m +2.300 m

Main road Local road Asphalted road Forest track Side track Precarious track Restricted passage Cavern / pit cave Church / chapel Ruins of church / chapel

Ruins

Path

Narrow path

GR

Fundació Area

Natural areas protected

La Masieta (Information Centre) Car park

Reserve access

Village

Church

Peak

Historical monument

Panoramic view

Mountain hut

Tower Monumental tree Picnic area

Forest

Bridge

Gorge

Archaeological Site

Montfalcó walkways

Recommended routes Not to be missed

Gorge Trail The otter lookout 1 Alsamora Trail 2 Path excavated on the cliff 1h 45’ +125 m i –90 m 3,5 km Easy A panoramic view of the entire reserve can be had 3h 15’ +310 m i –220 m 4,8 km Medium (one-way) from the natural lookout point at the bend of the (one-way) Until the second Montfalcó walkway) Noguera Ribagorçana river, leading to Alsamora just A linear route offering access to an interesting 2h 45’ +250 m i -100 m 5 km Medium before arriving at Masieta, where the river’s rapids (one-way) and little-known section of the forested area on can be seen before entering the defile itself, with the the shaded side of Montsec d’Ares, cut through A linear route making it possible to cover the entire length of Mare de Déu del Congost chapel and the Xiriveta with deep gullies, and offering panoramic views the spectacular Mont-rebei gorge following the left bank of the castle. towards the Pyrenees. Noguera Ribagorçana. Note: hikers should be in good physical After leaving the path excavated on the cliff, it is possible to condition. There are some steep climbs. continue following the path until La Pertusa or taking the right detour to the Montfalcó walkways, passing through the Congost del Seguer bridge. Altimiris Trail Note: the narrow part of the trail cut from the rock must be The Altimiris settlement 3 taken very slowly and carefully. Persons who suffer from Situated atop one of the buttresses that dominate the 2h 10’ +510 m -70 m 3,4 km Medium vertigo are advised to avoid this route. (one-way) North face of the Mont-rebei gorge is this pre-Roman- A linear route that leads along a wooded crest esque site from a little-known era of Spanish history, to the ruins of the Altimiris settlement, a window 4 Obaga Gran Trail between the fifth and ninth centuries, linking late antiquity into the transition period between antiquity and with the High Middle Ages. The site consists of a settle- 2h 30’ +570 m -70 m 4,7 km Medium the High Middle Ages. This route also offers (one-way) ment and chapel that evoke Peru’s Machu Picchu. The magnificent panoramic views of the Mont-rebei Fundació works closely with the University of Barcelona A linear route leading into the shaded slopes of the Montsec, bro- reserve. to study this and other archeological sites within the ken up by multiple gorges and gullies. The oak groves of Obaga La Masieta Note: There are some steep climbs. Take care Mitjana and Obaga Gran are very interesting, and the Mont-rebei reserve, such as the Colomera cave and the Mort cave. not to disturb our archeological heritage. plain viewpoint offers a look back over the trail just covered. The remains of an old farm work to host the large amount of visitors of the Gorge. A plave you will find Monumental trees Note: expect some difficulty crossing the Sant Jaume gorge. when you arrive and where you will get all the infor- Hikers should be in good physical condition. Although the reserve is in a rela- mation you need. Besides, you will get a touch of the tively dry region that has been values and highlights offered by this natural spot. Recommendations for your visit worked by settlers for centuries, there are still some immense Bring warm clothes, sun protection, sunglasses and Camping in unauthorized areas is not permitted. trees of special interest to cap/hat or similar, as well as water and comfortable footwear and clothing suitable for walking. Lighting fires is totally prohibited. nature lovers. Especially no- table are some very large oaks Binoculars and guides for observation of flora and Take your rubbish away with you. (Quercus cerrioides), particu- fauna are recommended, if you have them. Don’t take any mineral nor fossil with you. larly in the Obaga Mitjana and No vehicles are allowed beyond the parking area. Don’t take any plant with you. along the banks of the Canelles Do not leave the marked trails (this is especially We remind climbers that they share the walls of the Mont-rebei defile with reservoir, between the Masieta dangerous on the Obaga del Montsec trails). vultures and other birds, and that their laying period is from December to and the Sant Jaume gorge. June; for this reason we recommend avoiding climbing at this time. Dogs must be kept on a leash. Also worthy of mention are the Holm oaks (Quercus ilex) at the Carlets country house. Useful information

La Masieta (Information Centre): WHERE TO EAT Did you know… Sant Esteve de la Sarga Village Council: Tel. 973 65 33 77 Restaurants in Pont de Montanyana, Cellers, Àger and Guàrdia de Noguera Pallars Jussà Regional Council: Tel. 973 65 01 87 WHERE TO SLEEP Noguera Regional Council: Tel. 973 44 89 33 La Clua Since 2005, the Mont-rebei gorge has been classified even identify the moment in time when the dinosaurs Tremp Tourist Office: Tel. 973 65 00 05 Casa Blasi. Tel. 973 25 22 44 as a Wildlife Refuge. became extinct; you might even spot some of their Taxis: Tel. 654 93 22 74 (Xavi Bergua) Casa Sidro. Tel. 616 80 28 09 Chemist’s: In Areny de Noguera, Benavarri, Àger o Tremp. footprints. El Casalet de la Clua. Tel. 650 276 169 The archeological digs at the Colomera Cave Pallars Regional Hospital (Tremp): Tel. 973 65 22 55 El Pont de Montanyana are now yielding data on prevailing environmental The Mont-rebei gorge is the last great gorge in RECREATION AND SIGHTSEEING Hostal Isidro. Tel. 974 54 21 55 conditions over the past 7,000 years, shedding light Catalonia that has not suffered the effects of any Tremp Tourist Office: (Epicentre): Hostal Condes de Ribagorza. Tel. 974 54 21 94 Tel. 973 65 34 70. www.pallarsjussa.net Collmorter on climate change. transportation infrastructure, and has remained virtually Kayaking Mont-rebei: Tel. 654 93 22 74. www.kmr.es Cal Soldat. Tel. 620 415 536 intact, unscarred by a single road or power line. Montsec Astronomical Observatory: Castissent A tour through Mont-rebei is like a stroll through 170 Tel. 973 45 52 30. www.oadm.cat Terra del Congost. Tel. 609 335 909 million years of the Earth’s history. You can observe Mur Castle: Tel. 677 70 18 20. www.castellmur.cat To get more information about lodging visit: www.pallarsjussa.net sediments accumulated over this time period, and Montanyana Medieval Site