The sanctuary of Mare de Déu de Cabrera, (Santa María de Cabrera) is a cliff top mountain chapel built in the in Pla (plains) d’Aiats in an area of mountains called Collsacabra within the Osona region near the towns of L'Esquirol and Cantonigròs.
This 12km autumn or winter hiking route of spectacular natural beauty traverses rural lanes passing several pretty, heritage farmhouses before ascending a cliff side path to the top of the Cingles de Aiats where there are multiple viewpoints from the mountain plains of Aiats on the way to the Santuari de Cabrera.
The current building of the Sanctuary of Santa María de Cabrera was built between 1622 and 1641 to replace the old chapel of Cabrera, documented since 1144. In addition, attached to the sanctuary is the hermits' house, which was expanded during the 18th century.
The Romanesque style Sanctuary is made up of a single nave without an apse built to a rectangular form with carved stone blocks. The entrance door has a semi-circular voussoir arch with keystone, and above the door there is an oculus (Small rose window) with iron bars. Attached to the main façade there is a two storey bell tower with square spire roof.
According to legend, that image of the virgin of the sanctuary was found by a goat. The image was hidden in a small cave in the cliff, a short distance from the current sanctuary. The image was found by the shepherd when he went to find the goat.
Historically, the chapel was known as Santa María de Corcó.
The Candelera earthquake on February 2nd 1428 caused some minor damage to the chapel. This mountain summit was once a fortified location with a castle but this was destroyed in the earthquake and all that remains today are the foundations.
The hermits house to the side of the chapel today contains a small 50 person Cafeteria-restaurant that is open on weekends and public holidays as well as a mountain hut hostel of four double rooms.
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From can puntí follow the path next to the road for 3500 metres and as it rejois with the road just before Rotllada Bridge take a right turn onto a rural gravel road (Camí ral de Vic a Olot) which is part of the Camino de Santiago in the section from Vic to Olot.
Follow it passing the Ca la Rotllada apartments and continue on passing La Cabreta farmhouse and Mas la Creu farmhouse. Follow the road round to the left passing the Granja de Caselles farm. At the cross roads turn right onto another gravel road.
Follow the road for 650 metres and continue on as it bears round to the right. You will soon reach a beautiful traditional Catalan farmhouse building called Masia Aiats where the path bears to the left and snakes around behind the farmhouse. Continue on the trail entering a forest ascending path.
The forested path is via gullies surrounded by boxwood and alternates between sections of rock and deciduous forest. After about half a kilometre in the forest the trail reaches an area called Grau de l'escaleta which is a steep rock ascent sometimes with handholds and cable lines on the rocks to assist ascent. This rock ascent transitions into a rock shelf on the side of the cliff with fantastic views of the valley down below.
After the rock shelf the path dips back into the forest for the final 300m push up to Les Cabanyes de Pla d'Aiats farmhouse ruins. A short way on from the farmhouse rous you will find a plain of ferns with a well trodden path that you take to the right. Follow this trail until it opens up into a small plain where there is a headland with stunning views from the top of the Collsacabra cliff. You will find here a flag pole and a plaque with a poem by Miquel Martí i Pol at the Mirador cingles de Aiats. On a clear day from this viewpoint you can see as far as Montserrat and Girona. You can follow this path for about another 200 metres continue enjoying the views.
Double back, heading towards the Les Cabanyes de Pla d'Aiats farmhouse ruins but instead of dropping down to the farmhouse, continue straight across the fern covered plateau (Pla d'Aiats) staying on the path as it enters a beech and oak forest. Follow this trail for 1200 metres as it snakes its way round the mountain in the forest. The path will emerge from the forest in a parking area called Coll de Bram where you will see in front of you some stairs, Les Escales de Cabrera, leading up a to the final plateau summit.
At the top of the stairs is a grassy mountain plain and a well trodden path that after a few minutes brings into view the Santuari de Cabrera. This is where I stop to take a rest and enjoy a picnic or food from the sanctuary restaurant. Once done follow the well trodden path towards the cross marker and then onto the geodesic marker and a little further you will see the remains of the castle foundations. Along this section of the path there are amazing views down into the valley below.
Note the modern zip line cable winch on the edge of the field near the cross. This is not a fairground ride but the means to which supplies are hoisted up to the sanctuary. The modern electric winch replaces a much older one that was hand cranked. These winches are a common feature of mountain top sanctuaries and I have seen some that contain a human sized basket although I have never ridden in one.
Inside the sanctuary are toilets. Once you are ready to leave, at the front of the Santuari de Cabrera in the corner of the bell tower look towards the tree line and you will see a narrow path leading down. Take this old rock paved monks trail (donkey cart trail) back into the forest and follow it as it descends snaking its way down the mountain back to Coll de Bram.
Take the descending path that bears off to the right into the forest down Puig dels Llops towards Coma d'Aiats as the trail follows the Riera de Aiats mountain stream. After about 2 kilometres of this path it joins up with the trail near Masia Aiats and the rest of the way is the same trail that we took to ascend.
This is an medium walking route in the mountains of Collsacabra. I always do it with a small rucksack of the essentials and first aid kit. Emergency waterproof/windproof jacket is recommended.
Take 2 to 3 litres of water.
Take a head torch for autumn hiking because you may finish the route at sunset.
Address: Santuari de Cabrera, L'Esquirol. 08569
From barcelona, leave the city via the C17 dual carriageway heading towards Vic and at Vic stay on the C17 as it transitions into the C25. Take the 183 exit off the C25 onto the C153 towards Roda de Ter. Follow the C153 a further 17km passing the town of L'Esquirol. Just before arriving at the town of Cantonigròs there is a roadside restaurant called Can Puntí.
If you are planning on having an evening meal in this restaurant, phone in advance and ask if you can park there in the morning, otherwise continue straight on for 250 metres and park in the village of Cantonigròs.
12km circular Autumn & winter medium hiking route in Collsacabra mountains to a hill top sanctuary via cliff top paths & forested trails with great viewpoints
Distance: 12.19 Km
Difficulty: Medium
Return Travel Fare: €25.00
Transport Network: Car
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