Cadolles fondes

Cadolles Fondes is a series of deep natural hollows carved into the rock by the Montsant River, near the village of Ulldemolins in the province of Tarragona, in the Priorat region. The site sits within the Serra de Montsant Natural Park and is one of the most visited stops on the hiking network around the village.

What does the name mean?

In Catalan, "cadolla" refers to a hollow or basin scooped out of the rock by moving water, while "fonda" means deep. The name is a literal description of what hikers find on site: a chain of natural pools and rock basins shaped over centuries by water erosion acting on the limestone bed of the Montsant valley.

How do you get there?

The usual starting point is the village of Ulldemolins, from where a marked trail heads toward the Sant Antoni hermitage. The circular route covers roughly 9 km and takes about 3 to 3.5 hours at a steady pace, with total elevation gain around 300 metres. The trickiest stretch is a steep, roughly fifty-metre descent right before reaching the pools — it pays to take it slowly, especially after rain, when the rock can turn slippery.

Is the trail difficult?

No climbing skills are needed, but the route is rated moderate specifically because of that steep drop near the end. Sturdy trekking shoes and a bit of care on that section are all you really need.

What will you see along the way?

The path runs through classic Priorat scenery: dry hillsides covered in Mediterranean scrub, terraced plots, and open views toward the Montsant massif. Right at Cadolles Fondes there's a viewpoint overlooking the rock-carved pools below. Longer versions of the walk continue through the Congost de Fraguerau gorge to a suspension bridge crossing the Montsant River, and from there to the Romanesque hermitage of Sant Bartomeu, founded around 1160. This stretch forms part of the GR-65-5 trail network. Extended loops linking the Sant Antoni hermitage, Cadolles Fondes, the Fraguerau gorge, and Sant Bartomeu can run to about 12.5 km.

When is the best time to visit?

In summer the natural pools fill up enough to allow a proper dip, making them a popular spot to cool off after the hike on hot Priorat days. Spring and early autumn are better suited to the hiking itself, when temperatures are milder and the valley slopes show off the colours of the Mediterranean vegetation.

Frequently asked questions

What exactly are Cadolles Fondes? A series of deep natural hollows and pools carved into the rocky bed of the Montsant River through centuries of water erosion.

Where are they located? In the Montsant River valley, within the municipality of Ulldemolins, Tarragona province, inside the Serra de Montsant Natural Park.

Can you swim there? Yes, in summer the pools hold enough water for hikers to cool off after the walk.

How long does the hike to Cadolles Fondes take? The classic loop from Ulldemolins takes around 3 to 3.5 hours, while longer routes linking the Sant Antoni and Sant Bartomeu hermitages can take most of a day.