Vilaplana lies on the southern slopes of the Serra de la Mussara, which shapes a large part of the municipality. Pine and holm oak forests also cover much of the municipality. Hiking trails and cultural heritage offer two different perspectives on the place.
Hiking trails on different scales
The municipal hiking programme comprises seven routes with a total length of about 50 kilometres. They run mostly along paths and include only a small proportion of roads. The roughly 50 kilometres describe the entire programme, not a single hike. For a specific hike, the details of the individual route are therefore what matter.
The Ruta de la Font del Roure offers clear reference points: it is 10 kilometres long, has 650 metres of ascent and takes 3 hours and 15 minutes. Its difficulty is rated as moderate. Taken together, the distance, ascent, duration and rating provide a more specific basis for planning than the total length of the hiking programme.
The El Escondite de los Carlistas route starts in Vilaplana and follows the partly paved path de las Tosques, marked as a PR, to La Mussara. The hike can be understood in terms of its route and destination. As trail conditions can change, it is a good idea to check them before setting out.
There is also a different scale of route for cyclists: the 119-kilometre Route 005, “Climbing the ‘roof’ of Tarragona,” passes through Vilaplana and La Mussara. It is a cycling route, not another hiking trail, so its distance cannot be equated with the walking time of the Ruta de la Font del Roure. If planning to ride this route, you should also check its current course and signage, as both can change.
Church, image and historic sites
The parish church of Nativitat de la Mare de Déu was consecrated in 1739 and has a Baroque façade. The Romanesque image of the Mare de Déu de la Llet is also kept in the church. It comes from the first Romanesque church. Thus, the Baroque church and an image from an earlier building phase stand side by side in Vilaplana.
The Abric de la serra de la Mussara is on the southern slope of the Serra de la Mussara, within the municipality of Vilaplana. The cave is about 150 metres below the ruined and abandoned village of La Mussara. The village offers views across the entire Camp de Tarragona. Another historic building is Mas de Morenet, a fortified farmhouse from the second half of the 12th century. Together, these places offer insights into different aspects of the cultural heritage and landscape, but should not be understood as a single route.
Rastres de Reis on January 5
Rastres de Reis is an annual tradition held in Vilaplana on January 5. Children drag empty tin cans through the municipality’s streets and squares, making as much noise as possible so that the Three Kings do not pass by without leaving gifts. If you would like to include this date in your travel plans, check the latest event information; some details may vary.
Plan your journey
Public transport in Vilaplana is very limited, so a car is essential for getting there. Factor this into your plans early and check current transport connections before setting off. This allows you to make your travel arrangements separately from your choice of hiking route or focus on cultural heritage.
Discover more destinations: Vinyols, Gratallops, Mont-ral, Tivenys, La Senia, Salou, Pratdip, Cunit.
Return to the main travel overview: Tarragona.
