Mas del Petit del Quico

Mas del Petit del Quico is a stone farmhouse (mas) in the municipality of el Molar, in the Priorat region of Tarragona province, Catalonia. It stands on the slopes of the Serra del Murallo, among a scatter of abandoned farmsteads that were still worked and lived in roughly seventy years ago.

How do you get there?

The site sits at around 41.18°N, 0.686°E, in the hilly backcountry of el Molar - a small agricultural village in western Priorat known for its wine and its mining past. There is no road access - the only way in is on foot, along a roughly 15-kilometre circular trail that winds through the Serra del Murallo, the barranc dels Comuns ravine and the area around the Cova dels Tres Alls cave. Waymarking is sparse and the route is rated difficult, so a map or GPS track, plenty of water and sturdy hiking boots are worth bringing. A useful landmark along the way is the nearby Mas del Miquelet: Mas del Petit del Quico lies roughly 400 metres from it, on the descent toward the barranc dels Comuns.

What will you see at Mas del Petit del Quico?

What remains today are the stone ruins of a farmhouse - one of several masos scattered across the slopes of the Serra del Murallo, alongside others such as Mas del Quico, Mas del Cendrós and Mas del Miquelet. These buildings were still in use and inhabited about seventy years ago; today they stand empty, slowly being reclaimed by the hillside. The wider landscape is marked by kilometres of dry-stone walls, built by earlier generations of farmers to hold up terraced fields on the steep slopes - most now neglected but still clearly visible underfoot. Closer to the Cingle del Miquelet cliffs, the terrain grows steeper still, with terraces stepping up the rock face. Altogether it is a stark, wild stretch of countryside, rarely visited, which is part of its appeal: a kind of quiet and isolation that is hard to find in the better-known corners of Priorat.

When is the best time to visit?

Given the steep climbs, the lack of shade over much of the route and the summer heat, spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) are the best times to walk it, when temperatures are milder and lower vegetation improves visibility on the ground. Priorat summers can be harsh, and a poorly marked trail crossing open terrain is much tougher going under full sun. Since the route sees little traffic, it is also worth letting someone know your plans and avoiding a solo hike without a way to call for help.

Frequently asked questions

What is Mas del Petit del Quico? It is an abandoned stone farmhouse (mas) in the municipality of el Molar in Priorat, one of several similar farmsteads scattered across the slopes of the Serra del Murallo.

Can you drive there? No - the site lies in mountainous terrain with no road access, and can only be reached on foot as part of a longer hiking route.

Is the trail difficult? Yes, the roughly 15-kilometre circular route is rated difficult, with sparse waymarking and steep, rocky stretches.

What else is worth seeing nearby? Along the way you pass other abandoned masos, including Mas del Miquelet, the barranc dels Comuns ravine and the area around the Cova dels Tres Alls, as well as the dry-stone walls of the old terraced fields.