Montsant Natura

Montsant Natura is a team of young people from Cornudella de Montsant, in the Priorat, who have built a small ecosystem in the village for those who come to cycle, walk, climb or drink wine: a refuge with a gastrobar, rural accommodation, an activity centre and a 4x4 taxi service. Their base is at calle Major, 37, right in the centre. The website does not say how long they have been operating or publish a tourist registration number.

What it offers

The bike hire is the broadest part: electric mountain and e-gravel bikes, non-motorised mountain bikes, road bikes and gravel bikes, from brands such as Cannondale, Canyon, Mondraker, Coluer or Berria, with daily prices ranging from about €30 up to €95 depending on the model. As extras it hires out GPS units, day insurance and a gastrobar picnic. It delivers and collects the bike wherever you say, and its taxi with bike racks does transfers so you do not have to pedal back.

The 4x4 taxi serves two audiences. It takes climbers to sectors far from the road. For everyone else it offers a circular route among the vines that leaves Cornudella along country tracks, crosses estates in the DOQ Priorat and the DO Montsant and ends at one of its Grenache estates with a cheese and wine tasting. It is a made-to-order activity, for a maximum of six people, suitable for all ages and open all year, priced per vehicle rather than per person.

It also sells maps and climbing guides for the area, suggests walking and cycling routes and works with several Priorat experience partners, such as Pedals del Priorat, Via de Montsant or La Ruta dels Refugis. It has offers for groups, families and wine tourism.

Where to sleep and eat

LoRefugi is a restored former four-storey family house, with rooms for two to ten, shared bathrooms, a dining room with a kitchen area for guests and heating. Designed for climbers and cyclists, it has bike parking, a washing area and tools. A night costs €18 and the set dinner €15; bed linen is hired separately. Pets are not allowed. Reception is open from 17:00 to 23:00 from October to March and from 18:00 to 23:00 from April to September; on Wednesdays the gastrobar is closed and arrival must be arranged before 16:00. The gastrobar serves market cuisine, with vegetarian and vegan options, and a list of Priorat wines. The group also has equipped rural accommodation on the edge of the village.

Booking, deposit and cancellation

Activities are booked in their online shop, by phone (977 821 313) or at [email protected]. When you pick up the bikes, a €100 deposit per bike is charged by card and returned once the workshop has checked them; the hirer is responsible for the use of the bike and for obeying the highway code. The website does not say whether a helmet is included or give the minimum hiring age, so it is worth asking.

At LoRefugi you pay 30% to book and the rest on arrival; on long weekends, at Christmas and at Easter full payment and a minimum stay may be required. Cancellation is free up to ten days beforehand; between ten and two days you lose 30%, and with less than 48 hours' notice, everything. The website is in Catalan, Spanish and English, but does not say in which languages the 4x4 route is guided.