Route around the Sant Llorenç de Montgai Reservoir

It is a pleasant excursion suitable for all audiences, with a route so well-conditioned that it feels more like a leisurely walk. The landscapes, the light, the colors of the rocks, and the wildlife—already accustomed to human presence—make this experience a very enjoyable outing. However, it’s not uncommon to find someone huffing and puffing. Bring water, especially in summer, as most of the route is exposed to the sun.

The Route

This is a less than three-hour walking route around the Sant Llorenç de Montgai reservoir.

We parked the car at the Camping la Noguera. Then, we took the track leading to the dam, where we could observe aquatic birds flying over the Segre. From here, we headed left, following a trail that winds through pines and oaks beneath the Coma de Gelis until reaching the Escalera Bridge. Across the lake, you can see Sant Llorenç de Montgai and the various climbing walls on the San Salvador mountain. We returned via the road, where a parallel walkway has been set up alongside the highway.

The Dam

The Sant Llorenç de Montgai hydroelectric plant has an installed capacity of 7.4 megawatts and is also the origin of the Urgell Auxiliary Canal, with a flow rate of 8 m³/s.

Above the dam runs the long-distance cycling route that connects Lleida with La Pobla de Segur. We are on the Balaguer - Sant Llorenç de Montgai section, which is about 12 kilometers long.

The Other Side of the Lake

Despite the noise of cars still echoing from the road, the cries of birds of prey can be heard from the rocks of Monteró. Along the edge of the reservoir, massive trout swim majestically through the river.

The Escalera Bridge

La Roca dels Bous - Climbing

La Roca dels Bous is an archaeological site from the Middle Paleolithic period, inhabited by Neanderthals 50,000 years ago. Excavations have uncovered information about their tools, subsistence strategies, and ways of life. In 2015, it was declared a Cultural Asset of National Interest due to its historical and scientific significance.

Archaeology in Lleida is always accompanied by climbers. The Pared del Oso and the Cylinder are iconic rock formations that offer numerous climbing routes of varying difficulties, making them very popular among climbers.

The Reeds with Cattails

The Sant Llorenç de Montgai dam maintains a high and constant water level throughout the year, allowing for the development of an extensive strip of reeds with cattails. This environment provides an ideal habitat for numerous species of aquatic birds. For this reason, the reservoir is a Wildlife Nature Reserve.