Between topaz sea and mountainous massifs, Barcelona, a bubbling and fascinating Catalan capital, seems inexhaustible in terms of heritage, as its undulating modernist facades, its narrow medieval alleys lined with laughing gargoyles and its buildings with contemporary curves never cease to captivate the eye. If the inspiring "City of Wonders" is today one of the most visited cities in the world, it would be wrong not to venture beyond the mountains that border it and to survey the 12 protected natural areas - of inestimable landscape and ecological value - that make up the barcelona province. Hundreds of marked trails wind their way through the paths of the Collserola Serra Natural Park, which is part of Barcelona's "green belt", and the Montseny Park Biosphere Reserve. Then we will take the Mediterranean horizon as a thread of Ariadne to discover the coastal villages of the Costa Barcelona and indulge in a wide range of water sports, while enjoying a sunny terrace to enjoy local cuisine and grasp all the nuances and aromas of regional wines and cavas.
A string of natural parks
Spring swept away the dead leaves on the province's 100,000 hectares of protected land, mixed with colourful landscapes where the walker plays the role of "kings of silence". From the Pyrenees to the Mediterranean, the Barcelona region deploys its dense network of protected areas with marked paths, between valleys and mountains, rivers and monasteries, rural cottages and charming villages. At the gates of the capital, once covered with vine crops, the natural park of the Serra de Collselera is already a breath of fresh air, where the breathtaking view opens onto the urban horizon lit by a thousand lights at nightfall. Without losing sight of the blue sea, on foot or by bike, you will then head for the natural parks of the Catalan coastal cordillera, sailing from vineyards to oak groves, from dolmens to Iberian villages and from castles to hermitages
A natural mosaic with opulent biodiversity, there is no richer area in this green province than those of the Montseny Park, integrated into the Serralada Littoral and declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve: 40 minutes from Barcelona, you hurry to pack your backpack to discover these 30,000 hectares where the massifs covered with beech, fir and chestnut trees, the highlands, streams and rivers, small stone villages and guest rooms nestled in the countryside meet. The Montserrat Nature Park, for its part, is breaking all records for visitor numbers. Today, and for centuries, it has been a major centre of Catalan spirituality, supported by its emblematic monastery, which houses the "Moreneta" - or Black Virgin of Montserrat - that the monastery's timeless manecantry still envelops in their sounds. The morphology of these mountains, bristling with needle-shaped rocks - which have been made sacred by beliefs and legends - can be seen on many hiking trails, such as the "Three Mountains" route, which links the natural parks of Montseny, Sant Llorenç del Munt and Obac, and the Montserrat massif, the most emblematic peaks in the region
But the province of Barcelona is still: play the intrepid speleologists in the El Garraf park, immerse yourself in the sparkling spaces of Llobregat and observe hundreds of birds, go up the meanders of the Ter river to Osona and let yourself slide by kayak on the Sau lake, climb up and fly over the vineyard fields in a hot air balloon or flush out the isard and the capercaillie in the pre-Pyrenean mountains of the northern borders of the region.
Sea spray and thrills
100 kilometres of golden beaches line the province's coastline. Without forgetting its "mask and snorkel" range, we will board a catamaran for a water trip, with family or friends, unless we are more interested in sea kayaking or water skiing, scuba diving or relaxing. The coastal paths bathed in marine scents along the Barcelona coast are at least as popular with hikers as the regional mountain peaks, especially for the superb landscapes they serve and the views they offer of the Big Blue, with its idyllic coves and languid beaches. Not to mention the small seaside villages anchored in their traditions which exude an undeniable charm. After a few refreshing dives and other stops in the shade of a timely chiringuito, you can drop anchor in Sitges, for example, to enjoy a freshly auctioned fish and admire the magnificent colonial villas built on the initiative of the Indianos
Festivities, wine and cava on the vineyard paths
Filled by this restorative coastal lurch, the countryside will be beaten to discover Barcelona's wine-growing heritage, oscillating between walking and cycling in the vineyards, visiting the cellars and tasting wines, cavas or other spirits. It must be said that the Romans already produced wine on these lands, which they exported to the four corners of the Empire. Five registered designations of origin - Penedès, Alella, Pla de Bages, Catalunya and Cava - now guarantee the quality of regional wines and cavas, while preserving this intangible heritage in every respect remarkable. In addition to wines and cavas, we can also mention Anis de Mono, founded in Badalona in 1869, or Ratafia, a liqueur with an all-Catalan essence perfumed by the roots of the Pyrenees. These drinks are easily synonymous with celebration, and are at the heart of many festivities that take place throughout the year: the Vijazz festival at the beginning of July, featuring wines from the Penedès region with a jazz background, and the Sitges Harvest Festival in September, punctuated by amusing grape treading competitions. Because if "life is a celebration", it is deeply rooted in Catalan culture.
When? When?
All year round, thanks in particular to the mild Mediterranean climate. In fact, the province's landscapes change colour with the seasons. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons for hiking, but activities are practiced all year round in the Barcelona region, and the annual calendar is full of events.
Getting there.
Many planes fly daily between France and Barcelona, from where you can rent a car to visit the province. By train, we will count 6h20 for a Paris-Barcelona train. By bus, longer, but more economical, we will turn to Euroline
