The track of the green circuits
Of course, we know Barcelona and its coastline, but with many protected areas and eleven natural parks, it also houses a wonderful green heritage. Starting to discover it will be an opportunity to practice many activities such as hiking and mountain biking, but also to meet many villages through their traditions. With an ideal complement, accommodation in bed, guest rooms, on the farm or in a mas.
Park of Natural Parks
Only 15 minutes from Barcelona, Mount Collserola is the first green step. Declared natural park in 1987, it houses about 190 species of vertebrates, including squirrels, foxes and a few boars, as well as a large variety of birds on 8,000 hectares. This place where white pine and green oak are abundant is highly appreciated by the Barcelonians who practice the jogging, cycling, walking or resting. And the weekend, many restaurants welcome the families who come to spend the day there. If you do, it's also the guarantee of breathtaking views over the city.
A little further north, but by joining the coast, three other national parks chain along the low mountain formations that follow a parallel with the Serralada coast of the marina, Serralada coast and El Montnegre i el corredor. With two microclimates, more sunny on the east side and shaded on the west side. A course that will delight both vineyard enthusiasts (AOP Alella), Iberian remains, castles and guet towers, but also dolmens.
Other green pleasures await the traveler by heading south of Barcelona. Half an hour from the city, the limestone rock of Garraf Park has given rise to a very exotic landscape composed of karst formations that make it an ideal area for speleology. In its proximity, but further west, Olerdola also offers beautiful views, on the sea on one side and towards El Penedes plain, on the other. Finally the park of El Foix, allows to visit the region between Vilanova la Gertru and Vilanfranca del Penedes, the land of wines par excellence and to go to the village of Castellet, whose castle of the tenth century dominates the basin of El Foix.
Color Mosaic
No passage by that province without a visit to the Benedictine Monastery of Montserrat. North-west of Barcelona, it houses the Morenata, a black and patron saint of Catalonia since 1881, always venerated by many Catalans. When you visit EL Cavall Bernat, you will be able to reach EL Cavall Bernat, an exceptional spot on the El Bages region. Beyond this attraction, the serra (mountain) of Montserrat is an exceptional site from the geological point of view and as such is an indispensable place for hikers. Within its national park, many trails cross the mountain, revealing sumptuous landscapes. Perhaps less well known but just as accessible from Barcelona, the Montseny natural park is located in a mountainous massif that grows at 1,706 m, at the Turó de l 'Accueil. It will be an opportunity to discover a more incongruous vegetation in the middle of Catalonia, made of a mixture of Mediterranean and alpine species and redwoods. With a beautiful palette of colors, declined according to the seasons. During your walks, you will encounter traditional villages filled with charm and taste typical mountain cuisine, elaborated with hunting products and making the mushrooms beautiful. To say that peace will prevail in this place designated biosphere reserve by Unesco.
Four other parks will also mark your green circuit. Between the two precedents, Sant Llorent del Munt i Obac has many limestone grounds that make it an ideal place for speleology and climbing.
The natural space of the Guilleries-Savasonna for its reddish rock skirts contrasting with the green forests, its foxes and its San Pere monastery of Casseres overlooking the surrounding areas and offering spectacular views of the river Ter's meandering areas will be combined. Finally, on the western and northern boundaries of the province, you will visit Montesquiu Castle, located in the park of the same name to enjoy its gardens and surrounding forests. And the climbing fans will go to the Cadí Moixeró Natural Park, the roof of the province.
Discovery and accommodation à la carte
These places are of course the realm of walking. The emeritus hikers will travel the reported rgr of white and red including the famous GR (92) Mediterranean which runs along the coast or the GR -210 (Vora Ter) following the river from the Pyrenees to its mouth in the Mediterranean. Els 3 Monts is also found, a 106 km route of hiking marked and divided into 6 stages crossing the natural parks of the province of Barcelona: El Montseny, Sant Llorenç del Munt and Montserrat. But the others will have the paths of small hikes (PR), marked in white and yellow as well as local trails (SL), marked in white and green.
Finally, whether you want to live in the home or rent a house between friends or family, rural tourism establishments are an interesting option. From the farmhouse to the farmhouse, the province of Barcelona has a network of 500 rural houses. You can choose between two large types of accommodation, massies (in the inhabitant) or massoveries (to rent the entire house).
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When is it? Spring will be the ideal time for those who want the vegetation to be at its peak and the release fauna. Summers will be warmer if you are a hiker, it will be the maximum time of the majestic fest that rhythms of many towns and villages. Finally the autumn will also book beautiful colors. It will also be time for hunting and harvest: to prefer if oenological circuits try you.
Go on. Plane or train, everything is possible.
Useful. To inquire and book.
CATALONIA NATURAL PARKS INFORMATION CENTER
parks. diba. cat
Information about parks, hiking trails and activities.
ENVY OF CATALONIA
www.enviedecatalogne.fr www.enviedecatalogne.fr
BARCELONA IS MUCH MORE
