Camí del Pla and Pla de la Guàrdia circular walk

What it is

It is route 2 of the Prades fountains, which the Town Council calls Camí del Pla i Pla de la Guàrdia: an 11 km circular walk with 590 m of ascent that leaves the village, follows the long straight of the Camí del Pla and climbs to the summit of the Pla de la Guàrdia, at 1,125 m, with views over the Muntanyes de Prades. On the way you pass three constantly flowing springs, another that flows only sometimes and a monumental tree. It is free and self-guided, for people used to walking; allow half a day with stops.

The route step by step

1. The start and the Camí del Pla. You leave the village along the long straight of the Camí del Pla, a flat stretch towards La Febró and Capafonts.
2. Font del Victorino or Font Perers del Perdiu. 2 km from the village, in the Debeses area, on the mountainside. It flows constantly, although without a stone rim, and has a bench made from a large trunk next to it.
3. Font del Cap del Pla. At the end of the long flat straight, also constantly flowing.
4. The monumental tree, a centuries-old perelloner cisterer (Cistercian wild pear tree).
5. Font del Pu. Next to the path to the Pla de la Guàrdia, with benches and stone tables: a good place to stop for lunch.
6. The Pla de la Guàrdia. The summit, at 1,125 m, is the viewpoint of the route.
7. Font de Vila-Vella. On the way down; it flows only sometimes.
8. Back to Prades, closing the circle.

The Town Council publishes the route on its fountain routes page; also ask for the map at the tourist office and bring the route downloaded on your phone.

Water and season

The three constantly flowing springs let you refill your bottle, but the Town Council warns that the water from the springs outside the village has no health guarantee: it receives no treatment. Bring water from home for the whole route and, if you drink from a spring, do so knowing it is not monitored.

The best time is spring and autumn. In summer, set off very early and check the fire risk level on the Pla Alfa beforehand, which can restrict access to the woods. In winter it can freeze at the summit and it gets dark early: don’t start the route after lunch.

Who it is for

For teenagers and adults who walk regularly. Eleven kilometres with almost 600 m of accumulated ascent is long for small children; for them, the Roca Foradada, 1.5 km from the village, is better. It can be done with a dog; bring water for it too.

If the weather changes

The first part, along the Camí del Pla, is flat and close to the village: if the sky turns nasty before you start to climb, turn back there. In fog or storm, don’t climb to the summit.

Before and after

Call in at the tourist office first, on Carrer Muralla, and leave your car outside the centre. On your return, in the square you have DPrades Gastroteca or the Fonda Espasa, on Plaça de Sant Roc. If you stay overnight, the night can be rounded off at the Parc Astronòmic.