Montsec: A Starlight Reserve Above the Mont-rebei Gorge
Catalonia, Spain
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Montsec Class 1 Observer
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375
XP
+100 Spain
= 475 total
1 day
Montsec: A Starlight Reserve Above the Mont-rebei Gorge
375 + 100 XP
A Class 1 IDA Starlight Reserve — the highest designation — in the Catalan pre-Pyrenees, where a world-class dark sky observatory sits above a gorge accessible only on foot and griffon vultures nest in the canyon walls below
Required Activities
1
of 4
Visit the Parc Astronòmic Montsec near Àger and observe through the observatory telescopes — the facility operates public observation sessions under some of the darkest certified Class 1 skies in Catalonia
2
of 4
Walk the Congost de Mont-rebei gorge — the Noguera Ribagorçana river cuts a 500m canyon through the Montsec range, accessible only on foot along a clifftop path with sections of fixed iron ladder
3
of 4
Look for griffon vultures nesting in the Montsec cliff faces — colonies of 80+ pairs nest in the gorge and ride thermals above the observatory plateau throughout the day
4
of 4
Visit Sant Miquel d'Àger collegiate church and photograph the Romanesque apse against the dark pre-Pyrenean sky at dusk
Visit the Parc Astronòmic Montsec near Àger and observe through the observatory telescopes — the facility operates public observation sessions under some of the darkest certified Class 1 skies in Catalonia
Walk the Congost de Mont-rebei gorge — the Noguera Ribagorçana river cuts a 500m canyon through the Montsec range, accessible only on foot along a clifftop path with sections of fixed iron ladder
Look for griffon vultures nesting in the Montsec cliff faces — colonies of 80+ pairs nest in the gorge and ride thermals above the observatory plateau throughout the day
Visit Sant Miquel d'Àger collegiate church and photograph the Romanesque apse against the dark pre-Pyrenean sky at dusk
Before you go
The long nights from October to March give the darkest skies.
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About Catalonia
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Challenge Location
XP Breakdown
Challenge XP
375 XP
Spain country bonus
+100 XP
Potential total
475 XP
Country bonus earned on completion of your first challenge in Spain.
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