Colldejou – Mola, Hiking Routes and Village History
Accommodation in Colldejou
Colldejou lies on a sunny slope, surrounded by forests, dry fields and a few gardens. Behind the small village rise El Rei, La Reina, Mola de Colldejou and Mola de Llaberia. This gives you several options when planning your trip: viewpoints, local trails, and the village’s architectural and festival history.
Mountain Scenery and Hiking Routes
Mola de Colldejou reaches 921 meters and offers sweeping views of the sea, as well as the surrounding plains and mountain ranges. The municipality has selected eleven hiking routes along local trails. They lead, among other places, to the Mola, springs and mountain passes. These destinations offer different highlights: summits, springs and passes each represent a different landscape theme when planning a hike.
In the wider Serra de Llaberia-Colldejou natural area, the mountain range structurally connects the mountains of Prades and CardĂł. This natural area includes the typical limestone landscapes of southern Catalonia, individual areas of siliceous mountain terrain, and remarkable vegetation and invertebrate wildlife. The landscape therefore encompasses different geological and biological features as well as summits and trails.
Church, Houses and Historical Traces
The parish church of Sant Llorenç was built in the 18th century and is in the Baroque style. Its single-nave layout has three side chapels on each side. The bell tower also changes shape: it is square up to the height of the side wall, and octagonal above that. Several houses of medieval origin are very well preserved in Colldejou.
The remains of a fort from the Carlist Wars stand on the summit of the Mola. The village also preserves remains of the defensive walls that once enclosed Colldejou. These two historical traces differ in their location: the fort stands on the summit, while the former enclosure surrounded the village. The landscape also has a history of use: the holm oak slopes of the Mola were once intensively used for charcoal production, while shepherds greatly valued the pastures on the summit.
Festivals and Food Culture
Sant Isidre is celebrated in Colldejou on May 15. If the day falls on a weekday, the celebration is moved to the weekend. The festivities include a procession, the blessing of the fields, sardanas and a shared snack. The specific program may vary from one year to the next. The Giants’ Gathering is also part of the local tradition: it takes place every year a week before the Sant Llorenç festival and is associated with the tradition of giant figures.
The Clotxa Festival centers on a public lunch featuring a traditional field meal, like the one farmers used to eat in the fields. It includes round bread, tomato, onion and roasted garlic, as well as herring and sausage. The festival offers a different insight into local tradition from the celebrations around Sant Isidre and Sant Llorenç: here, a traditional dish is at the heart of the event.
Getting There by Car
From Tarragona, take the A-7 towards CastellĂł to exit 1138 near Mont-roig del Camp, then continue on the T-323 and T-322. From Reus, follow the T-310 towards Riudoms to Mont-roig del Camp, then take the T-322. Check the current route before setting off, as road layouts can change while work is underway.
Discover more destinations: Mont-ral, La Riviera, El MilĂ , El PerellĂł, AiguamĂşrcia-Santes Creus, Masboquera, Bellvei, El Molar
Return to the main travel overview: Tarragona.
