Autumn in Ripollès: the iron route from Sant Joan to Ripoll

• Past Excursions

DATE: November 12 at 8:30 a.m.

A complete excursion to the heart of medieval Catalonia, land of abbots and counts, which combines a pleasant and easy 10km walk completely flat along the old railway line, a guided walk in Ripoll and an optional visit to the monastery of Sant Joan de les Abadesses and the Conde Arnau Interpretation Center.

– IRON AND COAL ROUTE
The “Iron and Coal Route” connects Sant Joan de les Abadesses and Ripoll along the old railway line that transported coal and iron from the Ogassa mines to Ripoll. The path, 10km long, is very flat and passes through very beautiful places, often next to the river.

– MONASTERIES OF SANT JOAN DE LES ABADESSES AND RIPOLL
Sant Joan de les Abadesses, a town with a recent past of marked industrial character, has been able to maintain its medieval legacy and preserves many buildings, streets, walls and medieval nomenclature. Located on the banks of the Ter, in the Girona region of Ripollès, the town preserves a good number of monuments, especially Romanesque. Among them, the monastery of Sant Joan de les Abadesses, the parish church of Sant Pol, the Old Bridge, the palace of the Abbey, the wall and the main street stand out. Sant Joan is also closely linked to the legend of Count Arnau, the best known and most popular of all the spirits and souls in pain in Catalonia. A mythological and literary character, it has its origins in a traditional Catalan song, possibly appearing in Ripoll at the end of the 16th century.

– “COMTE ARNAU” INTERPRETATION CENTER
Ideal for understanding the magic that surrounds the figure of Count Arnau and the importance and influence that this legendary character has had and has in Catalan folklore, history, music and literature.

THE PLAN:

– 8:30h: We will meet at Plaza Universitat to take our private bus

– 10-10.30h: Brief breakfast/coffee in Sant Joan de les Abadesses

– 10.30-11.30h: Guided tour of Sant Joan de les Abadesses. Optional visit to the monastery

– 11.30-14.30: Hike to Ripoll along the greenway (old railway line)

– 14.30-16.30h: Free time to eat in Ripoll

– 16.30-17.30h: Guided tour in Ripoll

– 17.30h: Return bus, arriving in Barcelona around 7:00 p.m.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE WALK:

– Level: Easy (but a minimum of physical condition is required)
– Total distance: 10km
– Accumulated unevenness: Negligible (it is a wide and completely flat path)
– Duration: 2-3 hours approx.

If the weather forecast is bad, the excursion will be postponed.

DATES: November 12, 2022

ACCOMPANYING GUIDE: Toni Bellido

LANGUAGES: Spanish and Catalan (if you need translation in English there is no problem)