Poblet Natural Park
Discover Poblet Natural Park
Poblet Natural Park is a specially protected natural area, on the northern slope of the Prades mountains in Tarragona (province) of Spain. The park corresponds to the headwaters of the Francolí River, in the Conca de Barberà. There is the Poblet monastery in the park which is in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and an a stage in the Catalan Way of St. James and in the Ruta del Cister (GR175). The nearby village of Rojals is also in UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the Rock Art of the Iberian Mediterranean Basin. This area offers many possibilities for excursions and walks or simply to stroll enjoying the landscape and a hundred natural springs, many of which have ferruginous water. A section of the GR 175 trail passes through this natural area. It is one of the best preserved natural areas in the Tarragona region and is home to the only community of Pyrenean oak (Quercus pyrenaica) in Catalonia.
Taste of Poblet Natural Park...
Camping is not permitted. Camping is only permitted in the areas expressly indicated and authorized.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Poblet Natural Park into what it is today.
The Poblet Natural Site owes its name to the Cistercian monastery that was founded in the 12th century on land given by Ramon Berenguer IV to the monks of the Cistercian order. The place where the current monastery was built was known as hortus populeti (a place of orchard surrounded by a forest of poplars, Populus alba) and this is where the name Poblet comes from. With the foundation of the monastery, the monks began the rational use of the forest and built different farms there. The monastic domain lasted until 1835, It was declared a natural site of national interest in 1984 with the aim of conserving and defending the environment, preserving the landscape and restoring the heritage of the natural setting that surrounds the monastery of Santa Maria de Poblet. In 1998, the Partial Natural Reserves of the Trinitat ravine and the Tillar ravine were declared. Both are managed jointly by the Poblet PNIN. The protected area is part of the Conca de Barberà county, specifically within the municipalities of Vimbodí i Poblet and l'Espluga de Francolí. In the Poblet natural park, two major types of relief are clearly distinguished: in the sector of the northern slope of the Prades mountains, the relief is markedly mountainous (Prelitoral mountain range), while the northernmost part of the park is characterized by a set of flatter lands around the valley of the Sec river (Central Catalan depression)....
Climate
The climate is typically Mediterranean, but with nuances. It has a tendency towards continentality and also the logical effects of altitude. The general orientation of the place towards the north influences its climate, appearing as a great shadow. The average annual temperature is 13.2°C and the average annual precipitation is between 550 and 600 mm. The Poblet forest is an important protected forest station and contains a very varied and leafy vegetation: holm oak and holm oak with marfull; oak groves of small-leaved oak, holm oak and smoky oak and also small communities of red pine, stone pine, stone pine and white pine. Also noteworthy are the yew and holly box, which are protected species. It has the largest holm oak reserve in the country. The Baltasana hill is the highest point of the Prades mountains. The fauna is typical of the Mediterranean mountains.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsNearest airport is Reus REU near Tarragona. Poblet is 42 km (26 mi) away following C-14 and N-240 Barcelona El Prat Airport BCN is 112 km (70 mi) by C-32 and AP-2 High speed train station Camp de Tarraona is 37 km away from Poblet by N-240 . You can Connect to Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, or further away with rest of Spain cities connected by high speed or even the rest of Europe using Barcelona as connection. In the Paraje Natural de Poblet (Poblet Natural Site), the following activities require prior permits or authorisation: General access, hiking, and parking (if regulated) do not require permits, but follow signage and regulations (no fires, no off-trail vehicles). Contact the management office or Conca de Barberà tourism for applications. The park is in the north section oh Prades mountain range, so expect ups and downs when moving around. Poblet Monastery houses an array of artistic and cultural artifacts: There are several mountain bike routes....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The park is in the north section oh Prades mountain range, so expect ups and downs when moving around. Poblet Monastery houses an array of artistic and cultural artifacts: There are several mountain bike routes. you can try: There are more than 90 bird species in the park, not counting those that are only there during migratory passages. The species of forest environments stand out, with numerous nocturnal and diurnal raptors, such as the goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), a relentless hunter that maneuvers quickly between the trees.
Where to Stay
Camping is not permitted. Camping is only permitted in the areas expressly indicated and authorized.
Money & Budget
Camping is not permitted. Camping is only permitted in the areas expressly indicated and authorized.