Pack up your hiking boots and escape the hustle and bustle of Barcelona by hitting the trail on some of these amazing hikes. This comprehensive guide focuses on hikes within the Catalonia region of Spain as that is all within a relatively easy drive from the great city of Barcelona.
Outside the City of Barcelona
Parc Natural de la Serra de Collserola
Parc de Collserola is a 84.65 km2 natural park established to preserve the area of the Serra de Collserola mountain range just northwest of Barcelona. The park is 22x larger than Central Park in New York City and is one of the largest metropolitan parks in the entire world. Collserola Park is a favorite destination for the residents of Barcelona and neighboring towns. It is popular for activities such as walking, cycling, and birdwatching. Many families visit its numerous restaurants on weekends.
- Distance from Barcelona: 20-40 minutes by car or train
- Best Hiking Routes
- Carretera de les Aigues: a path along the Serra ridge, called the “Carretera de les Aigues” (Water Road), has been significantly enhanced for cyclists and makes for one of the best walking routes near the city of Barcelona.
- Tibadabo: at 512m, it is the tallest hill in the Serra de Collserola. Rising sharply to the northwest, it has views over the city and the surrounding coastline. Indirect trails will allow you to hike to its summit before making a loop back to the entrance. You can also take a funicular to the top of Tibidabo Mountain, where there is an amusement park and the Sagrat Cor Church.
- Turó del Puig
- Notable Highlights
- Sant Cugat del Vallès: Sant Cugat del Vallès is a town and municipality located north of Barcelona. Historically known as Castrum Octavianum, meaning the ‘Castle of Octavianus’, and as Pins del Vallès during the Second Spanish Republic, the town is named after Saint Cucuphas, who was reportedly martyred at the site of the medieval monastery. The suffix “del Vallès” refers to the historical county of Vallès where the town is situated.
- Torre de Collserola: uniquely designed telecommunications tower located on the Tibidabo hill built in 1992 for the use of Olympic games, The highest point of this tower is the highest place one could be in the city of Barcelona. The tenth floor of the pod is open to the public.
Parc Natural de la Muntanya de Montserrat
Nestled in eastern Spain, northwest of Barcelona, lies the Parc Natural de la Muntanya de Montserrat is a stunning outdoor recreation destination known for its abundance of peaks and cultural heritage. The park contains 212 named mountains, the highest and the most prominent mountain is Sant Jeroni at 1,235m. The unique rock formations and diverse flora and fauna make it one of the most popular hiking destinations near Barcelona.
- Distance from Barcelona: less than 1 hour by car
- Best Hiking Routes
- Sant Jeroni Summit Loop: This trail leads to the highest point of Montserrat, Sant Jeroni (1,236 meters). The hike offers amazing views of the surrounding landscape and the Pyrenees on clear days. You can start from the Monastery or the upper station of the Sant Joan funicular.
- Sant Miquel’s Cross (Creu de Sant Miquel): A relatively short hike that offers fantastic views of the Montserrat Monastery and the surrounding landscape. The cross is a popular viewpoint and makes for great photo opportunities.
- Montserrat via Cami de las Aigues (GR-5): The trail offers stunning views of the unique rock formations of Montserrat, including the iconic serrated peaks that give the mountain its name. The trail is part of the long-distance GR-5 route, which traverses the beautiful and varied landscapes of Catalonia.
- Notable Highlights
- Montserrat Monastery: an abbey of the Order of Saint Benedict located on the mountain of Montserrat in Monistrol de Montserrat, Catalonia, Spain. It is notable for enshrining the image of the Virgin of Montserrat. The monastery was founded in 1025 and rebuilt between the 19th and 20th centuries.
- The Black Madonna statue
- Santa Cova Chapel: the hillside cave on Montserrat where the Virgin of Montserrat was traditionally hidden during the Moorish invasions and later discovered by shepherds in 880.
Parc Natural de la Serra de Montsant
One of the most beautiful places that you could wish to visit in the Barcelona area; especially if you have any interest in veering off of the normal tourist itinerary, it is a nature lovers dream. Parc Natural de la Serra de Montsant, or Montsant Natural Park, is a stunning natural park located in the province of Tarragona, in Catalonia, northeastern Spain. The park is characterized by its rugged mountainous terrain, with steep cliffs and rocky outcrops. The Serra de Montsant mountain range is the dominant feature, offering dramatic landscapes and panoramic views.
- Distance from Barcelona: less than 2.5 hours by car
- Best Hiking Routes
- La Roca Corbatera: This trail takes you to the highest peak in the park, Roca Corbatera, at 1,163 meters. You’ll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
- La Morera de Montsant to Albarca: Starting in La Morera de Montsant, this trail takes you through picturesque landscapes, passing vineyards and ancient hermitages, and ending in the quaint village of Albarca.
- La Serra Major Loop: This challenging loop trail covers the Serra Major ridge, offering spectacular views and passing by several significant peaks and cliffs. It’s a great hike for experienced hikers looking for a full-day adventure and one of the best mountain hikes in Catalonia.
- Notable Highlights
- Roca Corbatera: The highest point in the park which rises to an elevation of 1,163m (3,816′).
- Cartoixa d’Escaladei: a former Carthusian monastery that played a significant role in the region’s history.
Congost de Mont-Rebei Trail
An awe-inspiring adventure situated on the border between Catalonia and Aragon in Spain, this gorge is carved by the Noguera Ribagorçana River through the Montsec mountain range. It is renowned for its natural beauty and rugged terrain. Congost de Mont-rebei is characterized by its towering cliffs, narrow passages, and the turquoise waters of the Noguera Ribagorçana River. The gorge’s sheer rock faces and dramatic scenery make it one of the most stunning natural sites in Catalonia.
The main hiking route through the gorge is about 8 kilometers one way, starting from La Masieta (in Catalonia) and ending at Montfalcó (in Aragon). This well-marked trail offers an intimidating but moderate hike, with some steep and narrow sections. The gorge is flanked by vertical limestone cliffs that rise up to 500 meters high. The narrowest part of the gorge is just 20 meters wide, creating an impressive and somewhat scary pathway for hikers. One of the highlights of the hike is crossing the suspension bridges that span the gorge, offering thrilling views down to the river below. Despite it being nearly 3 hours away, this is one of the best hikes that you can drive to from Barcelona and a great place to escape the city.
Costa Brava Region
Parc Natural del Montseny (‘Montseny Natural Park’)
Parc Natural del Montseny, located in Catalonia, Spain, is a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve known for its rich biodiversity, stunning landscapes, and cultural heritage. It is one of the oldest and most famous natural parks in Catalonia. The rugged terrain – the Montseny Massif set against valleys furrowed by streams – and the lush woodlands make up a spectacular landscape of singular beauty.
- Distance from Barcelona: less than 1 hour by car
- Best Hiking Routes
- Turó de l’Home and Les Agudes: This hike takes you to the highest peaks in the park, Turó de l’Home (1,706 meters) and Les Agudes (1,703 meters). The trail offers breathtaking panoramic views and passes through beech and oak forests. It can be started from the Fontmartina or Santa Fe del Montseny areas.
- El Matagalls: Starting from Collformic, this trail leads to the summit of Matagalls (1,697 meters), one of the most iconic peaks in Montseny. The hike offers spectacular views and traverses diverse landscapes, including meadows and forests.
- Notable Highlights
- Turó de l’Home (1,706m) and Les Agudes (1,703m)
- Inside the Nature Reserve, a dozen small mountain churches in Romanesque style can be visited. These include the parish churches of Montseny, El Brull, Sant Marçal, Sant Martí del Montseny and Aiguafreda de Dalt.
Camí de Ronda
The Camí de Ronda is a 200+ km long series of scenic coastal paths along the Costa Brava in Catalonia, Spain. Originally created to help control smuggling and provide access to the coast for the Guardia Civil, it has become a popular route for hikers and nature enthusiasts. The route offers stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea, rocky cliffs, hidden coves, and sandy beaches.
The Camí de Ronda can be divided into several sections, each offering different levels of difficulty and unique landscapes:
- Blanes to Tossa de Mar: This section is known for its beautiful beaches and rugged cliffs.
- Tossa de Mar to Sant Feliu de Guíxols: A more challenging segment with rocky paths and stunning coastal views.
- Sant Feliu de Guíxols to Palamós: Easier terrain, passing through tourist-friendly towns.
- Palamós to Begur: Known for its hidden coves and clear waters.
- Begur to L’Escala: Features the famous beaches of the Aiguablava and the historical site of Empúries.
- L’Escala to Roses: Offers views of the Cap de Creus Natural Park.
- Roses to Portbou: The final stretch, marked by the dramatic landscapes of the northern Costa Brava.
Pyrenees Mountains & French Border
Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park
Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park is one of Spain’s most beautiful and ecologically rich national parks. It encompasses rugged peaks, dense forests, and more than 200 glacial lakes. It is also the only true national park in the Catalonia region of Spain.
- Distance from Barcelona: nearly 4 hours by car
- Best Hiking Routes
- Estany de Sant Maurici Trail: This is one of the most popular trails in the beautiful park. The path offers stunning views of the lake and the surrounding peaks. It’s an ideal hike for families and those looking for a relatively easy hike.
- Carros de Foc Route: meaning “Chariots of Fire,” it is a famous high mountain route, and challenging multi-day trek, that links nine mountain refuges within the park.
- Mirador de l’Estany Trail
- Portarró d’Espot Trail
- Notable Highlights
- Glacial Lakes: The park is famous for its numerous glacial lakes, the most notable being Estany de Sant Maurici. This lake, surrounded by majestic peaks and lush forests, is a focal point for many hikes.
- Els Encantats: The park features some of the highest peaks in the Pyrenees, including Els Encantats, two iconic, jagged peaks that rise dramatically above Estany de Sant Maurici.
Vall de Núria
Vall de Núria is a picturesque valley surrounded by towering peaks in the eastern Pyrenees of Catalonia, Spain. The 12.5km Núria Rack Railway is the only way to enter the valley. The rack railway departs from Ribes de Freser and takes 40 minutes to get there. Popular hikes in Vall de Núria include Camí Vell (Old Path), a historic trail connecting Queralbs to Núria, and Puigmal Ascent, a steep climbing trail to the top of the mountain, offering stunning views along the way.
Vall de Ribes / Vall del Freser
Just south of Vall de Núria is the gorgeous Vall de Ribes. The region is dotted with charming, historic villages such as Ribes de Freser, Queralbs, and Pardines. These villages provide a glimpse into the local culture and history, with stone houses, narrow streets, and centuries-old churches. Vall de Ribes is easily accessible by train, with Ribes de Freser being a key transportation hub. The valley is also well-connected by road, making it convenient for those traveling by car.
The hike to El Taga summit is the best trail in the area for those seeking a challenging hike. Starting from Pardines, the trail climbs steadily to the summit, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The hike is about 10 kilometers round trip with a significant elevation gain.
Alta Garrotxa
The Pools of Sant Aniol d’Aguja are nestled within the pristine wilderness of Alta Garrotxa, a region celebrated for its unspoiled natural beauty and biodiversity. To reach these pools, visitors often embark on a scenic hike from the village of Sadernes, following a trail that winds through dense forests, over rocky terrain, and along the serene waters of the Llierca River.
As you approach the pools, the sound of cascading water grows louder, heralding the presence of these crystal-clear basins. The pools themselves are formed by the Aniol River, which tumbles down from the surrounding mountains, carving its way through the limestone and creating a series of stunning natural pools and waterfalls.
Featured Image: Parque Guell, Photo by Jose Ramirez
Don’t forget to stock up on the essentials before you plan your next hiking or camping trip! We have recommendations on:
TENTS
HIKING BOOTS
AND MORE!