Take a Hike!
Lace up your boots, choose a destination and hit the trails! The brisk autumn weather makes for perfect hiking. Bonus points if you manage to catch these trails just as the leaves are changing!
1. El Castanyer de les Nou Branques
Covering 300 square kilometers, Montseny park offers a multitude of hiking trails, from the family friendly to the more advanced. Situated about an hour to the north of Barcelona by car or train, it’s perfect for a last minute afternoon out. One popular autumn walk is the “Castanyer de les Nou Branques.” Starting in Viladrau, it’s an easy seven-kilometer stroll that passes through a number of ecosystems and includes one of the park’s largest and most emblematic chestnut trees. turisme-montseny.com/en
2. La Fageda d’en Jordà
Farther north near Olot are the famous beech groves of La Fageda d’en Jordà. Popular not only for its splendid autumn colors but also for the ancient volcanoes that dot the landscape, the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park is full of hiking options. One of the most well-trodden trails in the fall flanks the Croscat volcano, plunges into the beech forest and climbs the Santa Margarida volcano. Known simply as “Route 1,” it is only 11 kilometers long and is easily completed in an afternoon. en.turismegarrotxa.com
3. La Fageda de la Grevolosa
Northeast of Vic is another lesser-known beech and oak grove that’s 300 years old, with majestic trees that span more than four meters in diameter and reach heights of over 40 meters. If you’re looking for an easy stroll, there is a short six-kilometer path that brings you through this magnificent forest. However, the nine-kilometer trail “la Grevolosa i la Serra de Llancers” is well worth the extra effort for the stunning views it offers. And, if you're feeling adventurous, try the 16-kilometer trail that takes you all the way out to the Castelló d'en Bas with breathtaking views of the Vall d'es Bas valley below. vallgesbisaura.com/caminades
4. El Camí Vora Ter
The historic Ter River comes alive with seasonal rains and brilliant colors, creating dazzling autumn displays. Tumbling from its source in the high Pyrenees, the river meanders through foothills, abandoned colònies (industrial towns), farmland and plains until it reaches the coast. The “Ruta del Ter" (GR-210) is a beautiful long-distance trail that follows the Ter’s riverbanks through rocky crevices and forests. Covering 220 kilometers in total, there is an 80-kilometer stretch—from Sant Joan de les Abadesses to Roda de Ter—that is easily accessible by train at various points. The route's official website offers weather warnings and trail updates with alternative routes where the trail has been damaged or has become impassible. Be sure to check it out before planning a multi-day trip! rutadelter.cat
5. La Ruta Vitivinícola de Subirats
Deep in Penedès wine country lies the Castell de Subirats, offering a panoramic view of the golden vineyards that stretch below the distant peaks of Montserrat. Less than an hour’s train ride away from Barcelona, the “Ruta Vitivinícola de Subirats” features three hiking and biking trails covering a total of 48 kilometers, each starting at the Lavern-Subirats train station. Many of them also pass by wine and cava producers, with informative panels on grape varieties, fieldwork and climatology along the way—and if you plan ahead, you might get some tasting in, too. turismesubirats.cat
Published November 1, 2018, updated October 28, 2023.