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The Mont-rebei Gorge natural space covers a surface area of about 600 hectares. It was purchased by Caixa Catalunya Social Work in 1999 with the aim of preserving its natural and landscape values. For the most part it is included within the natural interest space (PEIN) of the Montsec and it also borders on the Partial Nature Reserve of the Mont-rebei Gorge. In 14 Apri 2005l, the Mont-Rebei Canyon has been declared a Wildlife Refuge.
As is the case with other spaces purchased, a series of actions have been undertaken with the close co-operation of the Town Councils of Sant Esteve de la Sarga, El Pont de Montanyana, Àger and Tremp, as well as the citizen institutions that have been working towards its conservation for years, such as the case of the Western Institution to Conserve and Study Nature (IPCENA). First of all, a Management plan was drawn up in order to improve the biodiversity of the space and encourage its public use. This Plan sets out a whole series of actions that must be carried out. The first of these actions have consisted of the following:
Improving the safety conditions on the path of the gorge, installing a handrail and eight viewpoints-handrails at the most dangerous scenic points for visitors.
Creation of a car park and a leisure area in the Masieta area, at the end of the forest track that starts at the Pont de Montanyana.
Recovery and restoration of the old shady path to the Altimiris viewpoint, as well as the Great Shady path to Alsamora, thanks to the help of a group of youths from different work fields under the management of IPCENA and the Catalan Scouts for two consecutive years, summer 2001 and 2002.
Draft of the Technical Plan for Forest Management and Development, which will guide the actions to be taken in years to come.
The Mont-rebei gorge, created by the river Noguera Ribagorçana as it passes through the Montsec mountains, separating the Montsec d'Ares from the Montsec de l'Estall and is the only great gorge in Catalonia which has been kept more or less intact without being crossed by any road, railway or electricity line. It is only crossed by a mule track partially dug out of the rock, allowing this spot to be enjoyed in a very spectacular manner. The walls of the gorge reach vertical heights in excess of 500 metres at points where the minimum width of the gorge is no more than 20 metres. |
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Flora and vegetation
The vegetation of the gorge is marked by its altitude zoning and orientation. Two zones coexist: the southern slope, dominated by Mediterranean vegetation: oak trees, garigue, undergrowth and dry prairies, and the northern slope, which is dominated by euro-Siberian vegetation of a sub-Mediterranean nature, with a prevalence of small-leaved oak groves and common oak groves. Several endemic species deserve mention, such as the extremely rare Petrocoptis monsticciana, as well as certain others: Saxifraga longifolia, Ramonda myconi, Erinacea anthyllis, the beech (Fagus sylvatica) the Holm oak (Q. ilex ssp. ilex), the oak (Q. ilex ssp. rotundifolia), the bearberry (Arctostaphlos uva-ursi), the black maple (Acer monspesulanum), the common maple (Acer campestris), the juneberry (Amelanychis ovalis), the hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), the rough cinquefoil (Aphyllantes monspeliensis), the common lime (Tilia cordata), etc.
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Fauna
As for amphibians and reptiles, the most interesting species are the following: the Pyrenean newt (Euproctus asper), the Iberian viper (Vipera latasti), and the Pyrenean viper (Vipera aspis). Within the bird group there is an abundance of the great birds of prey, which are typical of the cliffs: the bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus), the Egyptian vulture (Neophron pernopterus), the vulture (Gyps fulvus), the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), the peregrine hawk (Falco peregrinus), as well as the alpine chough and chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus and P.pyrrhocorax) and the wallcreeper (Trichodroma muraria). Among the mammals we must mention the otter (Lutra lutra), the wild cat (Felis silvestris), the pine marten (Martes martes), the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), the mole (Talpa europaea), and many species of bats.
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The bearded vulture, a characteristic bird of these mountains.
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Recommendations for the visit
The easiest access for vehicles is the Pont de Montanyana.
The path that crosses the gorge must not be missed due to its spectacular nature and beauty.
We recommend accessing the inner part of the ravines using the proposed routes.
To access the top of the reserve and Montsec, from where a scenic view of the Pyrenean, part of La Ribagorça and the Lleida Depression, if you do not want to walk, you can get there by the track of Coll d'Àres (between Àger and Sant Esteve de la Sarga).
A scenic view of the whole reserve can be seen from the natural viewpoint made up of the curve in the track above the river Noguera Ribagorçana, which leads to Alsamora just before La Masieta, from where you can see the river's rapids before it enters the gorge, the chapel of Mare de Déu del Congost and Xiriveta Castle.
Rock climbing
Rock climbers, remember that you will be sharing the walls of Mont-rebei with vultures and other rock birds. From December to June they are in the laying season; avoid rock-climbing in these dates. To open new channels and for further information, please contact Caixa Catalunya Social Work (93 4848 73 67) or the Fauna Protection Service of the Department of the Environment (93 567 42 00)
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How to get there?
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Take road N-230 (Lleida - Vall d'Aran), from the Pont de Montanyana (Ribagorça, La Terreta sub-district). From here, over the road that leads to Tremp (C-1311) you will find the crossroads where the signposted track to Sant Esteve de la Sarga starts.
Others ways to get there: by the road to Tremp (C-147), turning off near Cellers towards Guàrdia de Tremp and Sant Esteve de la Sarga. Otherwise, from Àger and Corçà (la Noguera) but then you can only access the space over the path (GR-1) that crosses the Mont-rebei gorge. |
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Routes (only available in catalan)
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Services
Pallars Jussà District Council.
Tel. 973 65 01 87
La Noguera District Council.
Tel. 973 44 89 33
Tremp Tourism Office
Tel. 973 65 00 05 |
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Where to eat?
Restaurants in Pont de Montanyana, La Clua, Cellers and Àger |
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Where to sleep?
Residence-country house in La Clua.
Tel. 973 25 22 44 |
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