3 Secret Swimming Holes in Catalunya
Slip away from the city's heat and crowded beaches and head into the Catalan countryside for a refreshing dip in these three gorgeous, remote swimming holes.
As the summer heat rages on, anyone who hasn’t yet left town is either dreaming about cooler climates or taking a cold shower. If it’s the latter, you can get your blast of icy exhilaration against a backdrop of natural beauty in secret swimming holes dotted across the region. Escape the summer heat and head into the hills to refresh and revitalize.
1. 7 Gorgs, Campdevànol, Girona Province
Situated in the foothills of the Pyrenees, north-west of Ripoll, Torrent de la Cabana and the 7 Gorgs (seven waterfalls) are a wonderful setting for a peaceful summer afternoon. Due to their close proximity to the mountains, the waterfalls almost never dry up, making the 7 Gorgs a paradise year-round. To protect this beautiful natural space, there is a €6 fee and a limit of 500 visitors per day. There is a circular 10-kilometer route that encompasses lush green forest and the seven waterfalls. Hikers can cool off in the natural pools as they go, although more extreme activities, such as canyoning, are prohibited due to sustainability initiatives. You can park at la Font del Querol for a fee, or park for free at the RENFE station, where you can begin the route on foot to the first waterfall, Gorg de la Cabana.
Where to Eat
Campdevànol is a tiny town with a couple of bars, a lovely bakery and two small restaurants. Or, just a 10-minute drive from Torrent de la Cabana is the town of Ripoll, where you can find a number of restaurant options. If you’re willing to travel a bit farther, Olot, the capital of the volcanic region of Garrotxa, has more upscale choices. Quinta Justa Restaurant offers "volcanic cuisine" with a variety of gourmet dishes created from produce grown in the area. Try the Olot potato or duck liver in apple sauce.
How to Get There
This is the only swimming hole on our list that is accessible by mass transport. It’s a two hour and 10 minute train ride from Plaça de Catalunya to Campdevànol on the R3. From the train station it’s a 30 minute walk to the beginning of a trail that will take you along the Torrent de la Cabana with its many swimming areas.
If you go by car, it’s 110 kilometers and takes approximately one hour and a half via the C-17 all the way to Campdevànol.
To prevent overcrowding, access is limited so we recommend that you reserve your place in advance to make sure you can get in during the high season (June 23 to September 11). Entry is €6; children under 12 get in free but a reservation is still required. Also note that picnicking is only allowed in designated areas. You can find more information on the website at torrentdelacabana.cat.
2. Gorgs de la Febró, Tarragona Province
In the heart of the Prades Mountains, located about an hour northwest of Tarragona, the centerpiece of the Gorgs de La Febró is a large, aqua-blue pool that catches the clear runoff from a waterfall—the perfect spot for a refreshing swim. Set off from the town of Arbolí or from La Febró for a leisurely one-hour walk to the swimming hole, or park your car in La Mussara (near Vilaplana) for the easiest, most accessible route. All paths follow the same red and white GR markers, and once you’re closer to the water you’ll see blue and yellow signs.
Where to Eat
If you want to grab a bite on your way there, the village of Vilaplana has three small restaurants open for lunch nearly every day and all day on Saturdays. If you're starting at Arbolí, the village only has a small bakery, but the nearby town of Alforja has three restaurants to grab a bite. Or, if you make the trip to the tiny village of Siurana half an hour away, Restaurant Els Tallers is a good choice, but be sure to make a reservation beforehand. The restaurant is part of the rural hotel La Siuranella, where the staff also offer visits to the cellars and oil mills, wine tasting tours and climbing guides.
How to Get There
Car is your only option to get to this remote location; it’s 135 kilometers from the center of Barcelona and takes approximately two hours and 10 minutes to get there following the AP-7 to the outskirts of Tarragona, and then the T-11 (passing Reus) to the T-704. After going through the town of Vilaplana you’ll find a parking area near the swimming hole at La Mussara. Or, if you want to start at Arbolí, instead of turning off at the T-704 you’ll continue a bit farther along the T-11 turning north on the C-242 near Les Borges del Camp.
3. Riera de Merlès, Barcelona Province
Riera de Merlès to the northwest of Vic offers a series of wild swimming holes, with layers of pools, waterfalls and rocky outcroppings to jump off. During summer people of all ages lay out on the sun-soaked rocks in between dips in the water. Shallower pools for kids can be found at La Quar, situated about two kilometers farther south in the area known as la Gola de les Heures. It’s not unusual to find newts and salamanders baking themselves on the rocks as well, while trout and catfish inhabit the waters below.
Where to Eat
In the nearby village of Prats de Lluçanès, Restaurant Cal Quico offers traditional Catalan home cooking using local seasonal products. Or, right next to the river, the Hostal Sant Cristòfol has a restaurant serving traditional Catalan cuisine specializing in game and seasonal mushrooms. The hostel has a weekend menu available for lunch, and dinners are available by reservation.
How to Get There
Located 100 kilometers to the north of Barcelona, the drive takes about an hour and a half following the C-17 to Vic and then the C-62 just past Prats de Lluçanès.
Published August 3, 2017, updated July 9, 2023.