Hiking to enjoy nature is wonderful. But what if we throw in some medieval architecture and a good glass of wine? For me, that's the winning combination. And that's exactly what the Sendero del Priorato (GR 174) hiking trail offers you.

Also known by its Catalan name, "Sender del Priorat", the GR 174 explores the beautiful Priorat region, in the province of Tarragona, Spain. Along the way, you’ll find mountainous landscapes, crystal-clear rivers, pine and holm oak forests, and medieval villages with narrow alleyways and stone bridges. The route runs at the foot of the Montsant and Prades mountains and passes through myriad olive groves and vineyards. It’s from the latter that the rich wines with Priorat designation of origin come from – and you can't finish this adventure without tasting them!

The route officially begins at the Coll de la Teixeta, which is where the counties of Baix Camp and Priorat meet. However, I decided to start in the nearest village, Pradell de la Teixeta, because it’s easier to get there and then walk or take a taxi to the Coll de la Teixeta. After passing through many of the beautiful villages of this region – such as Falset, Gratallops and Torroja del Priorat – you reach the end of the route, Albarca, in the incredible natural park of the Montsant mountain range.

The four stages begin and end in small villages that have accommodation, restaurants, bars and shops. However, accommodation can be limited, so I recommend booking in advance.

The stages are long but not technically challenging, so all you need is good stamina to complete the adventure. You can hike the GR 174 at any time of year; however, you won’t find much shade along the way so it’s best to avoid summer. Take comfortable hiking shoes, water, snacks and a torch. Follow the signs and protect yourself from the sun with a hat and sunscreen, especially in the hotter months.

The route starts in the village of Pradell de la Teixeta, where you can leave your car parked. If you want to get there by public transport, there are four daily train services from Tarragona and Reus. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Reus that drops you directly at the Coll de la Teixeta, the official starting point of the GR 174, saving the hour's walk between Pradell de la Teixeta and the Coll de la Teixeta. The timetables can be found here: autocarsdomenech.cat/es (in Spanish).

If you don't have a support car when you finish the route, you can take a bus from Albarca that will take you to Reus, Tarragona or Barcelona. In the case of Reus, there are several options throughout the day. If you want to go to Tarragona or Barcelona, there’s only one bus that leaves early in the morning. You can check the timetables here: empresaplana.cat/en. If you need more information about public transport in the Priorat region, check this link: turismepriorat.org/en/transports.

Now, all that's left for me to do is to wish you a great adventure!