Circular of the arch and hermitage in Prades, Spain

The hike starts at the tourist office, as you need to pick up and return the key to the Mare de Deu de l'Abellera hermitage there.

(S/E) Leave the tourist office and turn right onto Rue de la Cavallada, which ends when it meets Rue Pablo Picasso. Note the sign on the left indicating Ermita de San Roc, pass the school on the right, and continue east until you reach a bend where you will see a small chapel, Ermita de Sant Antoni.

(1) Follow the unpaved path heading south and turn east at the first intersection to stay on the main track. Walk 100 metres until you reach a small dry pond on the right and a fork in the road immediately after.

(2) Ignore the track on the right that descends towards the Ermita de San Roc and climb 50 m up the bend on the left until you reach a green sign indicating the Roca foradada on the right via a path that is closed to vehicles.

(3) Take this path through the woods until you reach a very faint trail with no sign.

(4) Ignore this shortcut and continue straight ahead on the main path, which heads northeast and leads to the arch, the Roca Foradada.

(5) After viewing the arch, continue climbing a few metres until you reach a sign pointing to the right towards a path that will take you to the edge of the small lake, which you will follow to rejoin the path you took on the way there. Retrace your steps to the start of the shortcut.

(4) Take the small path on the left that climbs through the woods to a marked trail with steps carved into the rock. Continue left until you reach the road.

(6) Look for the sign indicating the direction for the return journey and the Ermita de San Roc, which you will reach after about 200 metres along the tarmac road.

(7) Leave the clearing of the hermitage by walking south on a path that runs below the tarmac road. When you reach the car park, turn left towards the east, pass an orientation table and head for the Mare de Deu de l'Abellera hermitage.

(8) Retrace your steps to reach the Sant Roc Hermitage.

(7) Continue along the road until you reach the next fork, which you already passed on the way there.

(6) Leave the road at the start of the trail, ignore the shortcut and continue on the main trail until you reach the return track

(2) Take the same route back to the Prades tourist office (S/E).

There is no water or shelter along the route.

Be sure to bring appropriate gear for walking on trails that can be rocky in places.

The Mare de Deu de l'Abellera hermitage is closed, but you can obtain the key from the tourist office, which will lend it to you for two hours in exchange for a deposit. The key gives access to the terrace in front of the hermitage, but not to the interior of the chapel, so the key does not offer much advantage.

Observe the turtles in the lake.

There are tables set up near the lake.

The tourist office provides a map for visiting the town of Prades and a map of hikes ranging from 4 to 27 km.