Do you want to enjoy a natural area in Catalonia? Do you like nature and do you want to enjoy a different kind of trip where rural and natural tourism is the main feature? Then we recommend a trip to the province of Barcelona, where the Montseny Natural Park awaits you.
This is a true oasis of tranquillity, vegetation and nature where you can get to know one of Spain's Biosphere Reserves in depth. If you are an intrepid adventurer, you are going to love the hiking routes you will find here.
It is located on the coast of Barcelona and is undoubtedly one of the favourite places for locals to relieve the rush and stress of the cities. In the form of Barcelona’s green lung, the Montseny Natural Park reveals a host of nooks and crannies.
Do you want to know which are the spots you can't miss? Get ready because its more than 30,000 hectares open the doors to paradise.
Just 50 kilometres from the heart of Barcelona, there are numerous routes through the mountains and vegetation that you can do on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. A magical experience where you can discover such unique inhabitants as the largest tree in Catalonia: the chestnut tree d'en Cuch.
You can discover three impressive mountain ranges, starting with the Turó de l'Home peak, which is over 1,700 metres high, followed by El Matagalls, and almost reaching that height, the Pla de la Calma, and all of them with the best views of the Tordera, one of the most important rivers in the area.
Among them all is the Vallforners reservoir, a beautiful sight that you can find on one of its routes.
And believe it or not, among all this natural extension there are also charming villages such as Aiguafreda, where you can discover the ancient dolmens of the Serra de l'Arca and numerous castles.
Some of the most important are the castles of Fluvià, Montclús and El Brull, the first two in the town of Sant Esteve de Palautordera and the latter in El Brull.
But there is also room for religious monuments and heritage here. Impressive constructions are scattered throughout the length and breadth of the Montseny Natural Park. Some of the most representative are the Monastery of Sant Salvador, in Breda, the Monastery of Sant Segimon in Viladrau, a village well known for its mineral water, and finally the Monastery of Sant Marcial, in Montseny.
You can't end a complete visit to the Montseny Natural Park without trying its characteristic dishes, because the gastronomy of El Montseny is a real feast for the taste buds as well as for the senses.
Being an area with a lot of natural spaces, it is not unusual that its cuisine is based mainly in mushrooms and chestnuts which, accompanied by meats such as wild boar or lamb, delight tourists and locals alike. You won't be able to resist the local cheeses either, which are prepared in the traditional way.
As you can see, the variety of contrasts and options available in the Montseny Natural Park will allow you to enjoy a new and complete rural tourism adventure.
