Best trails in the Montseny Natural Park

Only about 60km from Barcelona with trickling streams and meandering trails the lush mountains of Montseny is a great place for a walk. There are trails in the Montseny crawling up to the highest mountaintops and narrow paths zigzag on the beech covered slopes. From short easy walks to longer and more demanding treks there are countless trails in the Montseny Natural Park to choose from.

While researching for our upcoming guidebook for Catalunya we explored many wonderful trails in the Montseny Natural Park and it is hard to pick favourites, but there are some walks that – for some reason – are a little more special.

1. Matagalls

There are numerous signposted trails leading to the summit of Matagalls (1697m), one of the highest mountains in the Montseny Natural Park. All of those trails require a different level of fitness and provide different views. We reached the summit four times, each time on a different trail. For some reason my favourite route was the one we started from Coll de Bordoirol. While most walkers follow a track that climbs gently to Coll Pregon, we zigzagged uphill on a narrow path that was marked with wooden signs and cairns built of rocks. At Coll Pregon we joined the well signposted and well-trodden GR5.2 path and followed it to the summit. There were fantastic views to Les Agudes and Turó de l’Home and we could make out the rugged peaks of the Montserrat range in the distance.

2. Les Agudes

There is a well trodden, popular trail from Sante Fe to Les Agudes (1706m), the second highest mountain in the Montseny. It is not demanding and very easy to follow. However my favourite route to the peak (we climbed Les Agudes on several different routes), was the scrambling route that we came across by taking a wrong turn in an unmarked junction. In scrambling terms it was an easy scramble but traversing the rocky ridge gave us endless opportunities to admire the views well before reaching the summit.

3. Turó de l’Home

We climbed the highest mountain in the Montseny Natural Park three times. The most rewarding route takes on Les Agudes first and then traverses the ridge before the final ascent to Turó de l’Home. From the peak of Turó de l’Home there are amazing views to the forested mountains of Montseny. The slopes of the three highest mountains in the Montseny Natural Park are popular amongst walkers and the trails can get busy on sunny weekend days, however it is quiet and more peaceful during the week.

4. Sant Bernat- San Marçal

There are many signposted trails to choose from in the mountains of Montseny, but sometimes the best routes are created by using the lesser known paths. We followed some narrow trails, marked only with wooden signs and rock cairns from the Hotel Sant Bernat near Montseny village before joining the well trodden GR5.2 path. We stopped for a picnic by Font Bona de Sant Marçal and re-filled our water bottles with ice cold spring water from Font Bona. And then we followed some quiet forest paths back to Sant Bernat.

5. Gualba- Santa Fe

The signposted PR-C 211 trail starts from the tiny village of Gualba. Leaving the village we followed wide tracks initially and then climbed a narrow steep path on a forested slope. Upon reaching the middle section of the trail there was an opportunity to make a short detour to a beautiful rock pool with cascading water. It was a perfect spot for a lunch. The trail then followed forest tracks along the stream to the reservoir of Santa Fe. Santa Fe de Montseny is a well known starting point for many trails and there are some great picnic spots near the reservoir.

We walked countless trails in the Montseny Natural Park and we were taken by the beauty and diversity of the trails. Walkers of all ability can find a suitable trail here. And the best thing is that it can be enjoyed all year round. It is just the perfect place to get away from the searing sun of the Costa Brava.