Hiking in Catalonia: Discover Rupit i Pruit

I step out of the car and it feels like I've traveled back in time by 100 years. Fairytale houses from the Middle Ages stand beautifully against a backdrop of hills surrounded by vibrant green trees. I begin my journey in the Spanish village of Rupit, where I take a stroll before heading up Mount Cabrera.

^{Photo: Héctor J. Rivas/Unsplash} 

It seems like the houses cling to the hillside, the castle towering above the rest of the village, and before I know it, I've found myself at the end of the village. Rupit is incredibly small, and before you know it, you're through it! It's no wonder that Rupit, together with the next village, Pruit, forms one municipality. Together, they count no more than 300 inhabitants. You can find the municipality a half-hour drive from Barcelona, and you can easily park your car in Rupit or Pruit. As I climb over a suspension bridge on my way to a cozy-looking terrace on the other side, I look out over the banks of the beautiful Rupit River. I indulge in some typical Spanish tapas, such as garlic shrimp, Spanish ham, and fried squid, before embarking on my hike through the surrounding mountains.

Then it's time for the climb. I follow 'Route 1', towards Mount Cabrera. Narrow paths winding along old city walls take me deeper into the trail. The sun shines, making the view over the vast countryside even more beautiful. I can hear the wind blowing gently, but otherwise, it's completely quiet. I pass a farm at the foot of the mountain. Perfect timing, because the farmer is just urging the cows to change pastures. The cows happily leap over the path. Such a delightful sight!

We continue our way, and the climbing begins. Beautiful sandy-colored stones amidst rough gray rocks make the climb smooth. The gentle wind has now turned into a strong wind. And just as I think I need to pause because of the heat, I feel the first drop. A refreshing mini-shower.

A narrow path along the cliff edge takes us further, and in the distance, a staircase emerges. After trekking through forest paths, it's the staircase that leads me to the highest point and place of worship: Santuari Mare de Deu de Cabrera. The building dates back to the 13th century, but little remains of the original structure. In the 16th century, there was such a severe earthquake that the building was almost completely destroyed. It was rebuilt in the 17th century. Unfortunately, the place of worship is closed today, and the restaurant is also closed. However, there are three Catalan donkeys on the mountain. How did they end up here?

The view is breathtaking, the clouds hang gracefully in the sky, and the sun allows us to gaze far into the distance. The gentle breeze is back, accompanied by the sound of more than 50 cowbells. I never knew that their tinkling could be so soothing.

Also read: Over Ancient Footpaths to Santiago de Compostela