The Cistercian Route brings together the heritage, culture and tradition of three Catalan hinterland comarques around a common thread: the three Cistercian abbeys of Poblet, Vallbona and Santes Creus. Created in 1989 to stimulate tourism and culture in the region, this brand introduces visitors to a territory rich in monuments, landscapes, festivals and traditions.

In this Collection, I present the original itinerary of the Cistercian Route, designed to be covered on foot in five days. With the exception of the first, which is shorter, each stage is between 20 and 24 kilometres (12.5 and 15 mi) in length, with an ascent never exceeding 550 metres (1,800 ft). The route is demanding in terms of distance and altitude. It does not, however, present any great technical difficulties, with the exception of a few stony paths that require a little more attention. I've also prepared a complete Tour so you can organise the stages as you wish.

The route can also be completed by bike. My colleague @Yulman has designed a specific version for mountain bikes: komoot.com/fr-fr/collection/2166104. For my part, I've come up with a gravel variant that avoids the more technical sections: komoot.com/fr-fr/collection/1826216.

The Collection starts and finishes in Montblanc, which has excellent rail and bus links to other cities such as Barcelona and Tarragona. Montblanc is also very close to the main roads, making it easy to get to. En route, you'll find accommodation and restaurants, but I'd advise planning your accommodation in advance and making reservations. The distance between towns is not excessive, so you don't need to bring much food with you, but I’d suggest bringing some food, and always plenty of water. The official Cistercian Route website, larutadelcister.info, provides an up-to-date list of services available, as well as timetables and prices for monastery visits.

The region's climate is Mediterranean, with mild winters and hot, dry summers. This means it's possible to visit practically all year round, except during heatwaves, when temperatures are more extreme. In any case, don't forget to bring a waterproof jacket and/or windbreaker, suitable footwear, a hat, sun cream and a good water bottle.

Alongside the history-laden walls of its monasteries, this Collection plunges you into eminently agricultural landscapes shaped by vines, olive groves and cereals. Mountain ranges such as the Marina, Tallat and Comaverd interrupt the mosaic of crops to take you into forests of white pine and oak. Tighten your shoelaces, fill your water bottle and adjust your rucksack, and let the adventure begin!