Climb to Siurana from Cornudella by the old path

What it is

Long before the tarmac road, Siurana was reached on foot or by mule along a path that left Cornudella de Montsant, went down towards the river and climbed between the crags to the village. Turisme Siurana proposes it as a route, under the name "Recordant la bella Abdelazia", in memory of the Moorish queen of the legend. It is the most honest way to arrive: you watch the crag grow in front of you and enter the village over the stretches of ancient cobbling.

• Distance: 4.8 km, one way only.
• Positive ascent: 250 m.
• Time: 1 h 50 not counting stops.
• Signposting: white and yellow PR markings.
• Maps: Siurana 1:10,000 or Muntanyes de Prades 1:25,000, both from Editorial Piolet.

Where it starts and where to park

It leaves from Cornudella de Montsant itself. Leave the car in Cornudella, which is where the day ends if you walk back. If you are going for a swim later, the dam car park is on the way.

The route step by step

1. Leaving Cornudella. Take the Prades road to the turn-off on the right that leads to the reservoir dam.
2. The cart track. Let the first path on the left go by; a few metres further on, take the track on the left. It is the old cart road.
3. Down to the reservoir. Go straight down towards the reservoir, ignoring the access tracks to houses that leave on the left.
4. Going round the reservoir. The original path ended up under water. Follow the perimeter track to the left to go round it and rejoin the old path further on.
5. Coll de les Lloses. Leave the track and climb a ridge to the saddle.
6. Barranc de l'Estopinyà. Descend a little to cross the ravine.
7. Final climb. Climb again, cross the track that goes to Mas d'en Candí and Molí de l'Esquirola and carry on up the main path, which is very clear. It is the prettiest stretch: the path finds its way between the walls of the crag.
8. Arrival at Siurana. You enter over the stretches of cobbling that are preserved.

The return

The route is one way only. To go back you have three options: retrace the path (another hour and three quarters, almost all downhill), link up with the Camí de la Trona, which shares the last stretch of the old path, or leave a car at the top, in the Siurana car park. To go up by bike and come down on foot, or the reverse, in Cornudella there is the bike hire.

Water, shade and season

Turisme Siurana does not mention springs on the route: leave Cornudella with water for the whole route. Much of it is in the sun, especially the final climb between crags. The best time is spring and autumn. In summer set out very early and make use of the return by the reservoir for a swim. In the rain, the cobbling is slippery: wear mountain footwear.

With children or with a dog

The climb is continuous but not technical or exposed, and works well with children who already walk for a couple of hours. It is a good alternative to the Camí de la Trona for families who do not want ledges. With a dog, on a lead on the track sections and near the reservoir.

On arrival at the top

In the village, visit the castle and the church of Santa Maria and look out over the Salt de la Reina Mora. Turisme Siurana also recommends the small museum that the Siurana residents' and friends' association keeps in the old abbey. For lunch, in the village there are the Restaurant Siurana and Els Tallers.