How to get to La Tor de Montclar from Girona

The quickest route uses the AP-7 motorway south before turning inland:

Detailed directions:

1. Girona to AP-7 southbound: From Girona city center or airport, follow signs to AP-7 direction Barcelona. The AP-7 is a major toll motorway (see toll information below).
2. AP-7 to Granollers/La Roca exit: 80 km, 50 minutes. Stay on AP-7 passing Maçanet de la Selva. Exit at Granollers or continue to connect with the C-33.
3. Connect with C-16 northbound: Follow signs to C-16 direction Manresa/Túnel del Cadí. The C-16 is toll-free and becomes a scenic mountain road.
4. C-16 to Berga: 85 km, 1 hour through Manresa. Beautiful drive along the Llobregat valley.
5. Berga to Montclar: Exit onto C-26 westbound toward Solsona, then BV-4241 to Montclar village. 25 km, 25 minutes.

Total distance: 190 km
Total time: 2 hours
Tolls: AP-7 Girona to Granollers approximately 12-15 EUR (toll booths accept cash, credit cards, Via-T electronic payment)

Why choose this route: Fastest option, mostly motorway/dual carriageway, good for travelers prioritizing speed and comfort.

For those who prefer to avoid tolls and enjoy rural Catalan scenery:

1. Girona to Les Planes d'Hostoles (C-63): 35 km, 40 minutes. Head west on the C-63, a regional road through the Garrotxa volcanic region.
2. Les Planes to Vic (C-152): 35 km, 35 minutes. Continue on the C-152 through rolling countryside. This road passes through small villages and agricultural areas.
3. Vic to Berga (C-62): 80 km, 1h 15min. From Vic, take the C-62 northward through the Lluçanès region. This winding regional road offers spectacular Pre-Pyrenean views. Passes through Prats de Lluçanès and Sant Boi de Lluçanès.
4. Berga to Montclar: Same as Route 1, 25 km, 25 minutes via C-26 and BV-4241

Total distance: 185 km
Total time: 2h 15min
Tolls: None (completely toll-free)
Cost savings: Save 12-15 EUR in tolls

Why choose this route:

• Beautiful rural landscapes and traditional Catalan villages
• Toll-free saves money
• Less traffic than AP-7, especially on summer weekends
• Opportunity to visit Vic (famous for its medieval old town and market)

Considerations: Roads are narrower and more winding than motorways. Add 15-20 minutes to journey time. Not recommended in heavy rain or winter ice conditions.

Girona-Costa Brava Airport is a popular entry point for international visitors, particularly those flying with budget airlines like Ryanair from UK, Ireland, and other European cities.

Airport location: 12 km south of Girona city center, near the village of Vilobí d'Onyar.

Option 1: Rent a car at the airport (recommended)

• Car rental companies: All major brands available: Hertz, Europcar, Avis, Sixt, Enterprise, plus local companies like Goldcar, Centauro
• Location: Car rental desks in the arrivals hall. Vehicle pickup in the adjacent parking area.
• Requirements: Valid driver's license (International Driving Permit recommended for non-EU visitors), credit card in driver's name, passport/ID. Minimum age usually 21-25.
• Booking: Reserve online 2-3 weeks in advance for best rates (25-50 EUR/day for compact cars). Peak season (June-September) requires earlier booking.
• Route from airport: Exit airport and follow signs to AP-7 direction Barcelona. Then follow Route Option 1 above.

Total drive time from airport to Montclar: 2 hours
Distance: 180 km

Option 2: Bus from airport to Girona + onward travel

• Bus: Sagalés company operates buses from airport to Girona city and Barcelona (no direct service to Berga)
• To Girona city: 25 minutes, 2-3 EUR
• From Girona: No direct public transport to Montclar. You'd need to take a train to Barcelona, then ALSA bus to Berga—very time-consuming (5-6 hours total).

Conclusion: For airport arrivals, renting a car is by far the most practical option.

If you're in Girona city without a car, public transport to Montclar is possible but requires multiple connections:

Route: Girona → Barcelona → Berga → Montclar

Step 1: Girona to Barcelona

• RENFE Rodalies train (R11 line): From Girona station to Barcelona Sants or Barcelona Clot
• Frequency: Every 30-60 minutes
• Journey time: 1h 10min to 1h 20min
• Price: 7-9 EUR

OR

• RENFE AVE (high-speed train): Girona to Barcelona Sants
• Journey time: 38 minutes
• Price: 15-30 EUR (more expensive but much faster)

Step 2: Barcelona to Berga

• Metro or taxi from Sants to Estació del Nord (15-20 minutes)
• ALSA bus Barcelona to Berga (2 hours, 12-15 EUR)

Step 3: Berga to Montclar

• Taxi: 20 km, 25-30 EUR. Book in advance: +34 938 220 411

Total journey time: 4-5 hours
Total cost: 50-70 EUR per person

Verdict: Public transport from Girona is feasible but time-consuming. Only recommended for budget travelers or those philosophically opposed to car rental. For groups of 2+, car rental is more economical and vastly more convenient.

Recommended stops along the way:

• Vic: If taking the C-62 route, Vic is worth a stop. The Plaça Major (main square) hosts a famous market on Saturdays. The Roman temple and cathedral are impressive. Excellent local cuisine (try "llonganissa" sausage). Allow 30-60 minutes.
• Garrotxa volcanic zone: If interested in geology, the C-63 route passes near the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park. Slight detour to see medieval Besalú (one of Catalonia's most beautiful villages).
• Manresa: On the C-16 route, the Seu de Manresa (Gothic cathedral) and Cave of Saint Ignatius (pilgrimage site) are worth a brief stop.

Seasonal and timing advice:

• Summer (June-September): Heavy coastal traffic on AP-7 on Friday afternoons and Sunday evenings. Leave Girona before 3pm on Fridays or after 11am on Saturdays to avoid worst traffic.
• Winter: The final 25 km to Montclar (C-26, BV-4241) can have ice or snow December-March. Check infocat.gencat.cat for road conditions. Carry chains if traveling November-March.
• Best timing: Leave Girona 9-10am for relaxed driving with lunch stop in Vic or Manresa, arriving Montclar by 12-1pm.

Fuel strategy:

• Last convenient fuel stations are in Berga or Manresa
• Girona and motorway service areas have fuel but are more expensive than city stations
• Fill up before the final mountain stretch to Montclar

GPS and navigation:

• Address: Enter "La Tor de Montclar, 25282 Montclar, Lleida" or GPS coordinates 42.1083° N, 1.6833° E
• Important: There are multiple villages named "Montclar" in Catalonia. Make sure your GPS selects Montclar in the Berguedà region (province of Lleida, postal code 25282), not Montclar d'Urgell or other homonyms.
• Mobile coverage: Good on AP-7 and C-16, can be spotty on C-62 through Lluçanès. Download offline maps before departure.