Montserrat Natural Park

Montserrat is a mountain that amazes. Even from afar, it rises strikingly above the surrounding landscape. Depending on where it is viewed from, its silhouette recalls the serrated edge of a saw; this explains its name, which is Catalan for “serrated mountain”.

The geological origin of the massif is sedimentary and its crags are made of a conglomerate of pebbles and calcareous cement. Over the millennia, tectonic movements, climate change and erosion have molded a sharp relief with large walls and rounded blocks. Deep inside the rock, physical agents have opened up caves, chasms and cavities.

Mediterranean forest is the predominant type of vegetation on Montserrat. Evergreen oak forest covers much of the mountain. However, there are also plants that tinge it with different colors: white pine, maple, whitebeam, tilia, hazel nut, holly, arbutus, boxwood, oak, and yew.

In terms of fauna, there are currently various species of birds, squirrels, genets, bats, boars, wild goats, reptiles and amphibians.

The mountain of Montserrat and its environs are protected areas of natural interest. The Patronat de la Muntanya de Montserrat (Montserrat Mountain Board of Trustees) is the body that manages and operates the natural park.