Vilanova de Meià: Trails, Montsec and Historical Heritage

At 1,674 metres, Tossal de les Torretes is the highest peak of the Montsec. Climbing takes place at Roca dels Arç; from the summit of Cogulló, it is possible to go paragliding. Climbing and paragliding thus represent two distinctly different ways of experiencing the mountain landscape.

Trails and Excursions

Vilanova de Meià is suitable for numerous excursions on foot, by mountain bike and by off-road vehicle. Itinerary 2 is a hiking route from Vilanova de Meià to Puig de Meià and Lluella del Llop. Itinerary 3 can be completed by off-road vehicle, mountain bike or on foot. Preparing for such tours includes checking current trail conditions and possible restrictions as part of trip planning.

Itinerary 4 leads to the ridge of the Serra del Montsec. Itinerary 5 follows a forest track through the shady slopes of the Montsec to Portella Blanca. Those familiar with the terrain can easily reach Cova del Gel on foot from this track. The routes therefore connect named landscape features with different means of transport, without every route having the same character.

Other travel destinations include Ager, Les Borges Blanques, Cubells, Bellvís, La Rua, Aravell, Vilanova De Bellpuig and La Coma.

Culture and History

Sant Salvador de Vilanova de Meià is a Romanesque-Gothic church from the 13th and 14th centuries. On 20 July 1984, it was declared a national historic-artistic monument. The old settlement of Meià preserves defensive walls and towers, as well as the remains of Meià Castle, including a section of wall from the 11th century. The church, settlement and castle thus reveal different historical building phases within the same cultural landscape.

Sant Cristòfol is the oldest building in the comarca and features pre-Romanesque remains as well as a Romanesque structure from the 11th and 12th centuries. Rúbies has been an abandoned village since 1970, with an 11th-century Lombard-Romanesque church and castle ruins from the 11th and 12th centuries.

Sant Salvador del Bosc is an 11th-century Romanesque sanctuary. The La Pedrera fossil site is currently located within the municipality of Vilanova de Meià and has historically also been called Pedrera de Santa Maria de Rosanes and Santa Maria de Meià.

Annual Events and Products

The Fira de la Perdiu takes place in autumn on the second Sunday in November. In addition to poultry and eggs, it also includes honey and other agricultural products. When planning a trip around the Fira, the specific event date should be checked in advance, as planning is based on this fixed calendar date.

Knowledge and Natural History

The Centre d’Interpretació del Montsec in Vilanova de Meià is part of the Ruta Joan Oró. The Origin of Life. It is dedicated to presenting fossils from the Montsec de Meià site dating from the Early Cretaceous. These include exceptionally well-preserved fossils with remains of vertebrates, invertebrates and plants. Before visiting such a centre, current opening hours should be checked, as they are essential for planning the day.

For the broader travel overview: Lleida.