Within an hour of Barcelona lie rocky mountain summits, forested ridges, ancient monasteries, the dramatic Sau reservoir and the vineyard-covered hills of the Penedès wine country. From the serrated rock towers of Montserrat to the sweeping views from Turó de l'Home in Montseny and the gentle vineyard trails of the Penedès, the countryside around Barcelona rewards those willing to leave the city behind.

This comprehensive guidebook covers 32 walks in the countryside around Barcelona, ranging from 7 to 28km and taking between two and eight hours. Written by authors with deep personal knowledge of the region, it combines local insight with detailed practical information for walkers visiting from abroad or based in the city.

• The 32 walks are organised across five areas: Montseny Natural Park, Vic and Guilleries-Savassona, Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac Natural Park, Montserrat Natural Park and Penedès and Garraf, all accessible by public transport from Barcelona
• Highlights include the iconic Montserrat Monastery and summit of Sant Jeroni, the sweeping views from Turó de l'Home and Les Agudes in Montseny, the dramatic Sau reservoir, the rocky summit of La Mola and the vineyard trails of the Penedès
• Routes range from short, easy walks of around 7km to more challenging full-day outings of up to 28km, with the graded route summary table making it straightforward to choose a walk that suits your fitness and available time
• Each walk is supported by 1:40,000 mapping, with detailed information on accommodation, facilities and public transport for every route, making it straightforward to plan a day out from Barcelona without a car
• An introduction covers the geography, geology, plants, flowers and wildlife of the region, alongside practical advice on getting there, getting around, accommodation, language and waymarking

A richly varied guide to walking on Barcelona's doorstep, from rocky mountain summits to gentle wine country trails. Step beyond the city and discover Catalunya on foot.

Walking in Catalunya - Barcelona - Quick Facts

Walks: 32 day walks 
Distance range: 7 to 28km (4 to 17 miles) 
Duration: 2 to 8 hours per walk 
Areas covered: Montseny Natural Park; Vic and Guilleries-Savassona Natural Area; Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac Natural Park; Montserrat Natural Park; Penedès and Garraf Natural Park 
Key centres: Barcelona, Vic, Sant Celoni, Montseny, Santa Fe, Viladrau, Matadepera, Terrassa, Manresa, Monistrol de Montserrat, Collbató, Vilafranca del Penedès, Sitges 
Walk highlights: Montserrat Monastery and Sant Jeroni, Turó de l'Home, Les Agudes, Matagalls, Sau reservoir, Montcau and Cova Simanya, La Mola, Foix river gorge, El Montmell ridge, Penedès vineyard trails 
Difficulty: Easy to challenging; routes graded throughout; reasonable fitness required for the highest peaks 
Mapping: 1:40,000 maps included for each walk 
Digital navigation: GPX files available to download 
Practical information: Accommodation, facilities and public transport details provided for every route 
Best season: Year-round; spring, early summer and autumn recommended; avoid the hottest summer months for longer or higher routes

Author Highlight

“The world-famous architecture, fine restaurants and bustling streets make the city of Barcelona a popular destination. The city undoubtedly has a special vibe and its famous landmarks such as the Sagrada Familia, La Rambla and Parc Güell are visited by millions every year. The Costa Brava has attracted sunseekers for decades but only about an hour from the coastline and Barcelona, the landscape is altogether different.”

- Jacint Mig, one of the authors of Walking in Catalunya - Barcelona

Overview map

Map key

Map of Barcelona

Introduction

Geography and geology

Plants and flowers

Wildlife

Getting there

Getting around

Accommodation

When to go and what to take

Language

Waymarking

Using this guide

Montseny Natural Park

Walk 1 Turó de l’Home from Santa Fe

Walk 2 Turó de Morou

Walk 3 Gualba to Santa Fe

Walk 4 Marianegra spring and waterfall

Walk 5 Les Agudes

Walk 6 Matagalls from Coll de Bordoriol

Walk 7 Sant Bernat to Sant Marçal circular

Walk 8 Aiguafreda circular

Walk 9 Matagalls from Collformic

Walk 10 Viladrau to Matagalls

Vic and Guilleries-Savassona Natural Area

Walk 11 L’Enclusa and Castell de Taradell

Walk 12 Tavèrnoles to Sant Pere de Casserres

Walk 13 Puig del Far

Walk 14 Vilanova de Sau to Pont de Malafogassa

Walk 15 Tavertet circular

Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac Natural Park

Walk 16 Sant Miquel del Fai circular

Walk 17 Montcau and Cova Simanya

Walk 18 Castellasa circular

Walk 19 La Mola from Torre de l’Àngel

Walk 20 Alzina del Salari circular

Walk 21 Coll d’Estenalles to Mura

Montserrat Natural Park

Walk 22 Montserrat Monastery from Monistrol de Montserrat

Walk 23 Sant Jeroni

Walk 24 Ermita de Sant Joan

Walk 25 Roca Foradada and Cami de la Portella

Walk 26 Els Pallers

Walk 27 Montserrat Monastery from Collbató

Penedès and Garraf Natural Park

Walk 28 Garraf to Bruguers

Walk 29 Jafra circular

Walk 30 Castells de Marca trail

Walk 31 Foix river gorge

Walk 32 El Montmell ridge

Appendix A Route summary table

Appendix B Useful contacts and information

Appendix C Accommodation

Appendix D Glossary

Seasons

Most routes can be walked all year around, but you might want to avoid the hottest months of the summer. Spring, early summer and autumn are the best seasons for walking.

Centres

Barcelona, Vic, Sant Celoni, Montseny, Santa Fe, Viladrau, Matadepera, Terrassa, Manresa, Olesa de Montserrat, Monistrol de Montserrat, Colbató, Vilafranca del Penedès, Sitges.

Difficulty

The graded walks range from short easy strolls to longer and more challenging routes. Reasonable level of fitness is required to climb the highest peaks in the region.

Must See

Montseny Natural Park, Turó de l`Home, Les Agudes, Matagalls, Sau reservoir, Sant Llorençe del Munt i l`Obac Natural Park, Montcau, La Mola, Montserrat Natural Park, Montserrat Monastery, Sant Jeroni, Oliba Trail, Els 3 Monts, Penedès, Garraf Natural Park.

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