Casa Alforja Training Experiences
Arboli & Waterfalls
Visit the ruins of the Galligant village, waterfalls of de Febro, Riu Siurana & Arboli. From the casa quite a long run, through diverse terrain, nice water features. Arboli has a water spot, plus some bars for supplies and nice places to have lunch. https://www.strava.com/routes/2936003144405612266 (28k, 1550m+-)
Logistics: Start from the house, or make the route easier by driving to Arboli.
What is in it for companions: Arboli is small but worth checking out. The first waterfalls are just 4km away from there, easy walking there and back.
Alforja Ridges
Technical half-loop around the ridges of the Alforja valley. These are rugged trails for true explorers. There will be a mix of steep, nearly off-trail parts, with rocky trails and some nice flowing forest trails as well.
https://www.strava.com/routes/2936000731367649002 (18k, 1100m+-)
Logistics: Start from the house
What is in it for companions: Nothing: best find some other plans
La Morera - Toll D’ou - Montsant Circuit - Classic Montsant
Swimming spots at Toll D’ou, otherwise it is quite remote and rugged, so need to carry plenty of water.
Logistics: Drive to La Morera
What is in it for companions: Stay in Cornudella, take a wine tour, or explore Morera. Morera has a nice shop with local products and some nice bars for a drink or snack.
Vilaplana Full
This is a nice experience of the three key routes up to La Mussara from Vilaplana. La Mussara is an old ruined village on top of a cliff. Amazing views from the top. There are three main routes up, so this route is going up the left side, down the center, up from the right, and down from the center again. Lots of verts. (21k, 1400m+-). This is well protected from north winds, except at the top. Can be very sunny and hot. There is a swimming spot in the rightmost part of the route and a fountain or two nearby on the left route. The village has water spots and some services.
Logistics: Drive / cycle to Vilaplana
What is in it for companions: There is a swimming spot on the rightmost trail, only 2-3 km into the route that’s pretty nice.
UTSM
Classic UTSM route. 100k around Montsant, through some key villages and nice routes.
https://www.strava.com/activities/208892242 (100k, 4000m+-). Can also be split into segments.
Logistics: Drive to Cornudella. Accommodations in Margalef if in segments
What is in it for companions: The route goes through many nice spots, could follow by car and visit the different towns.
Ulldemolins - Montsant Mid
Very nice circular long run route around Montsant. Some fountains along the way, also access to villages. Easy to modify the route to be a little longer too.
https://www.strava.com/routes/2936008860329669782 (42k, 2000m+-)
Logistics: Drive to Ulldemolins
What is in it for companions: There is a refuge along the route, that has some services and BBQ places, OK place to hang out a bit. Along the canyons there is a little river, that has some nice swimming spots and nice views.
L’Albiol - Mont-Ral - Niu D’Aliga
Great route, with nice climbs, lots of water features along the way. The far point of the route is the Roca Forada, nice spot for pictures. Awesome swimming spots on the way. Mas de Foret also has a WC, vending machine and drinking water. Mont-Ral also has drinking water and a nice refugi for overnight stays.
https://www.strava.com/routes/2938149257074188826 (23k, 1200m+).
House - Corbatera
This is a really nice “afterwork” run. First up to Arboli, then Siurana and finally topping off at Roca Corbatera - the highest point of Montsant (1,168m). The final climb is very technical and steep. From there nice descent to Cornudella de Montsant, nice place for dinner, for example at the Lo Refugi.
https://www.strava.com/routes/2936011287578634390 (27k, 1,600m+)
Logistics: Start from home, this is a one-way trip, so get someone to meet you in Cornudella and buy them a drink / meal. Or just run back home.
What is in it for companions: This is a nice one, Cornudella is a cool town, lots of climbers usually there, and they hang out at the Lo Refugi. Also visit to Siurana is legendary and the Siurana lake is great for hanging out, they rent kayaks too.
Logistics: Drive to L’Albiol. Alternatively you can drive to La Ermita Del Remei and start from there, then have an awesome lunch at the Ermita.
What in it for companions: Mas de Foret is worth seeing, the Ermita is really awesome and great spot for lunch. Just walking along the water, Niu de Aliga is very accessible walking.
L’Escaladei rollercoaster run. Some of the best parts of Montsant, a couple of nice climbs. The top of Montsant is very runnable and fast, also the second half of this run is nice and easy. Awesome scenery most of the way. La Morera has water. https://www.strava.com/routes/2938151622475519324 (28k, 1450m+)
Logistics: Drive to the L’Escaladei monastery and start from there. The village of L’Escaladei has some nice restaurants, wine shop and worth checking out.
What in it for companions: The monastery is very much worth seeing, also just wandering around L’Escaladei itself can be good for a couple of hours of fun.
Pratdip - Llaberia - Colldejou - Pratdip. This run is in the Llaberia mountains, rather wild place, very rocky and can be windy. Goes through the tiny village of Llaberia, in the middle of the mountains. The Colldejou peak is a famous local peak with a defense tower on top. Can be a bit technical at times. https://www.strava.com/routes/2938154234893925724 (23k, 1350m+)
Logistics: Drive to Pratdip
What in it for companions: Pratdip is an interesting town, surrounded by mountains. There is a little mini-mountain in the middle of town, worth climbing up to check it out.
Pont del Diable. This run is right next to Tarragona, easily combined with a visit into the city or their beaches. Lots to see in the park, the highlight is the roman era aqueduct, very famous. https://www.strava.com/routes/2938155830968777242 (12,5k, 350m+)
Logistics: Drive to Tarragona, look for the parking lot at the route starting point and park there.
What in it for companions: Loads. This is a very nice park, the aqueduct is legendary. There is a cafe in the middle of the park and lots of old ruins, statues and all kinds of surprises.
Puigcerver basic. This is my pretty standard 10k run at home - Puigcerver monastery and back. https://www.strava.com/routes/2938157115894475290 (10k, 650m+).
Logistics: From home and back.
What in it for companions: The Puigcerver monastery has a bar / restaurant open in the weekends, it’s worth visiting and also checking out the chapel.
Puigerver tempo route. This is mostly very easy, both in grade and terrain, e.g. everything very runnable. The beginning is essentially a 12km easy uphill route, perfect for steady hard efforts. The downhill from Puigcerver is also nice, allows for some faster extended downhill running. Not the most interesting of routes, but optimal for training. https://www.strava.com/routes/2938157934488313370 (18,5k, 800m+).
Logistics: From home and back.
What in it for companions: Nada
Tarragona cliffs, beaches and forests. This is a fun route, a bit urban, through varied scenery, awesome castle, etc. Totally worth doing. https://www.strava.com/routes/2938160090980952412 (21,5k, 210m+)
Logistics: Drive to the route start point and park there. You’ll find some services along the way if needed.
What in it for companions: Hang out at any of the beaches.. I would recommend Waikiki and that area, also Platja Larga is pretty interesting.
Calafat infinite coast run. This trail follows along the coast, starting from Cala Calafat and goes on for as long as you want. You can also go the other way and not run out of trail anytime soon. It can be somewhat technical and has bits of climbing too. Superb scenery, stunning swimming spots along the way. Lots of nice food in the towns you pass. https://www.strava.com/routes/2938161257220195866. (infinite, just keep going).
Logistics: Drive to Cala Calafat, plenty of parking there.
What in it for companions: This route is excellent also for walking, lots of nice houses, views are stunning non-stop and plenty of top tier beaches and clear water.
Alforja - Cambrils. This is a long and fast downhill run. Only the beginning has some technical trails, the rest is slight downhill and very, very fast. Good sustained fast run, plenty of good stuff waiting in Cambrils. Going the other way is much more painful, often with nasty headwinds too. https://www.strava.com/routes/2938162341602735324 (23k, 230m+, 700m-)
Logistics: This run ends at our apartment in Cambrils. Organize a ride back home somehow.
What in it for companions: Awesome restaurants in Cambrils, Sundays the atmosphere is spectacular and it’s great time just hanging out there.
