Vilaplana: Serra de la Mussara, Hiking Trails and Local History

Vilaplana lies on the southern slopes of the Serra de la Mussara, which shapes a large part of the municipality. Much of the municipality is covered by pine and holm oak forests. Public transport in Vilaplana is very limited; a car is essential for getting there.

Other places: Vandellòs, Porrera, Miravet, Tarragona, Llorenç Del Penedès, Solivella, Els Guiamets and La Riviera.

Hiking

Vilaplana’s hiking programme comprises seven routes with a total length of around 50 kilometres. The seven routes run mainly along paths and include only a small proportion of road. The Ruta de la Font del Roure is 10 kilometres long, has an elevation gain of 650 metres, takes 3 hours and 15 minutes, and is of moderate difficulty. This tour combines a clearly specified distance with a longer ascent and an precisely stated walking time.

The El Escondite de los Carlistas route begins in Vilaplana, follows the PR-marked, partly paved de las Tosques path, and continues to La Mussara. Its course is therefore defined by the starting point, the named path, and the destination of La Mussara. The PR designation and the partly paved de las Tosques path are characteristic details of this route.

Landscape

The Abric de la serra de la Mussara is located on the southern slope of the Serra de la Mussara in the municipality of Vilaplana; the cave lies around 150 metres below the ruined and abandoned village of La Mussara. The abandoned village of La Mussara offers views across the entire Camp de Tarragona. Thus, the cave and the village are situated on the same southern slope, while the view from the abandoned village extends across the entire Camp de Tarragona.

Culture and History

The parish church of Nativitat de la Mare de Déu in Vilaplana was inaugurated in 1739 and has a Baroque façade. The parish church houses the Romanesque image of the Mare de Déu de la Llet, which comes from the first Romanesque church. Mas de Morenet is a fortified farmhouse dating from the second half of the 12th century. Vilaplana therefore has, side by side, the parish church inaugurated in 1739, the Romanesque image, and the medieval fortified farmhouse as named historical landmarks.

Cycling and Annual Tradition

The cycling route 005, “Climbing to the ‘roof’ of Tarragona”, passes through Vilaplana and La Mussara over a 119-kilometre route. The route connects both place names within its stated 119 kilometres.

The Rastres de Reis tradition takes place in Vilaplana every year on 5 January. Children drag empty tin cans through the municipality’s streets and squares to make as much noise as possible and prevent the Three Kings from passing by and leaving their gifts. The tradition is therefore tied to a fixed day, the municipality’s streets and squares, empty tin cans, and the visit of the Three Kings.

To the main travel overview: Tarragona.