5 Beautiful Destinations To Enjoy Family-Friendly Hikes in Catalonia

18.05.2023.

This is a guest post by Maerle van Berkel from Travel to Catalonia. Maerle is a passionate traveler from the Netherlands who has called Catalonia her home since 2016. On Travel To Catalonia, she writes about her favorite places in the region, from stunning natural areas like the Pyrenees and the Costa Brava to vibrant cities such as Barcelona and Girona.

Catalonia offers a wide range of hiking opportunities. You could head to the coast for stunning views of the Mediterranean or discover incredible mountainous areas further inland. This region is great for exploring on foot, even if you’re looking specifically for routes that are suitable for families. Many trails are well-marked, safe and generally accessible outside the winter months. In this article, I’ll share my favorite hiking spots in Catalonia, as well as the best family-friendly hikes you can do there.

Costa Brava coastal walks- the most popular hiking area in Catalonia

One of the hiking areas I love most in Catalonia is the Costa Brava.

It’s located on the coast north of Barcelona and stretches all the way to the French border. The scenery here is amazing. Blue coves, hidden beaches and fishing villages give you the true Mediterranean feeling.

Along almost the entire Costa Brava you’ll find a coastal path, the Camí de Ronda. You can follow this path for as long as you want and walk from one village to the next. Many of the trails also pass small beaches where you can stop for a swim or picnic during the hike.

If you love to go on family-friendly hikes on the Costa Brava, I’d recommend basing yourself in Begur. It’s a lovely town and from here you could walk several parts of the coastal path. If you’re planning to explore the Costa Brava on foot, this detailed guide to the Camí de Ronda is great.
Accommodation tip: An ideal place to stay when you are in Begur is Hotel Aigua Blava. This hotel is very comfortable and directly situated on the coastal path.

Parc Natural del Massís del Montseny- beautiful forests, lakes and villages in Catalonia

Another beautiful hiking area not far from the coast is the natural park of Montseny. It’s less than an hour’s drive from Barcelona, so you could easily visit the area on a day trip.

This natural park is known for its dense forests, hills and traditional villages that you’ll find spread throughout the area. You can do lots of hikes here, ranging from longer mountain routes to easy family-friendly walks.

One of the routes I’ve done with my family is the loop around the artificial lake Pantà de Sante Fe. Especially in autumn, this area really feels amazing with all the leaves turning orange. The lake and its surroundings look stunning during this time of the year. The trail is around 3 km long, easy to follow, and suitable for all ages. This makes it ideal for families.

Accommodation tip: A perfect hotel to stay at while visiting Montseny is Les Suites. This is a quiet place surrounded by nature with incredible views of the mountains.

The Catalan Pyrenees, a mountaineering paradise in Catalonia

The Pyrenees are perfect for hiking and lots of local families head there for weekend breaks or vacations. The Catalan Pyrenees are located in the north of Catalonia, on the border with France.

Since it’s such a large area, there are an incredible number of hikes you can do here. You could for instance, head to Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park or Alta Garrotxa.

But my family and I especially love hiking in and around Parc Nacional d’Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici. It’s the only national park in Catalonia and is definitely worth a visit.

With its turquoise lakes and waterfalls, it’s like a dream destination for nature lovers. You could hike for 30 minutes to the Ratera waterfall and back or do one of the longer routes in the park. If you want to discover more, I recommend reading this Parc Nacional d’Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici guide.

Accommodation tip: If you’re looking for a great place to stay near the national park, take a look at Hotel Els Avets. This hotel is surrounded by nature and has a pool to relax in after hiking.

Parc Natural de Collserola- amazing pine forests in Catalonia

Collserola is famous for the Tibidabo theme park, but what I love most is discovering the natural woods full of pine trees and oaks. We sometimes go there on the weekend, and my kids also go there with school sometimes.

This natural park is on the outskirts of Barcelona and offers great hiking opportunities for families. One of my favorite hikes here is the Carretera de les Aigües. It’s a popular trail for both hikers and cyclists who live in the area.

The trail is easily accessible by public transport from the city center, followed by a short ride on the funicular. The entire hiking route offers spectacular views of Barcelona and its surroundings, especially when the weather is at its best. The trail is flat, so it’s an easy hike and very doable for families, even with younger kids and strollers. You can follow it for as long as you want and walk back to the funicular or you can find a path that takes you down to the city.

Accommodation tip: Since Collserola is close to Barcelona, I recommend staying in the city and doing day trips to the park. A nice family-friendly hotel to stay in while in Barcelona is Catalonia Park Güell. It has a swimming pool and is close to both Park Güell and Collserola Natural Park.

Muntanyes de Prades- a hidden gem for hiking in Catalonia

Further inland you find Muntanyes de Prades. It’s a beautiful mountainous area to discover, with authentic Catalan towns and incredible nature. And it’s not as well-known as some of the other hiking areas in Catalonia I mentioned.

For a great viewpoint, you could head to La Mussara, an abandoned village with views all the way to the Costa Dorada. There are trails here as well, but they are mostly for experienced hikers.

A more family-friendly hike is the Bosc Pintat de Poblet. Here you can search for giant mushrooms painted on trees. You could do either 3 or 6.5 km, depending on your own preferences.

Accommodation tip: An amazing hotel to stay in when visiting Muntanyes de Prades is Hotel Rural y Apartamentos Villa Engracia. It’s located very close to Muntanyes de Prades, in a beautiful and tranquil setting. They have a pool and other outdoor facilities for kids too.

How to get around Catalonia for hiking

Most visitors start their trip from Barcelona. For most hiking areas outside Barcelona, renting a car is the most convenient option. Public transport can be limited in more remote regions. However, Collserola and some parts of the Costa Brava are accessible without a car.

From Barcelona, you can easily reach:

• The Costa Brava: around 1 – 2 hours by car or 1.5 – 3 hours by train/bus, depending on the village.
• Montseny Natural Park: about 1 – 1.5 hours by car.
• The Catalan Pyrenees: about 2 – 4 hours by car, depending on the area.
• Collserola Natural Park: directly accessible from Barcelona by metro, train and funicular.
• Muntanyes de Prades: around 1.5 – 2 hours by car.

Final thoughts

Catalonia offers an incredible variety of landscapes, and this is what makes the region so interesting to discover on foot. You don’t need to be an experienced hiker to enjoy the landscape in Catalonia.

There’s a great mix of easy coastal walks, forest trails and mountain hikes. The hikes described above highlight my favorite areas and routes for families looking for accessible and scenic routes. There are plenty of other options as well, though.

Even after discovering large parts of Catalonia over the last 10 years, I still come across new trails and hidden spots. And this is why I love this part of Spain so much.

More tips for discovering Spain:

One week in Andalusia during winter

How to spend a weekend in Madrid

Toledo- a charming day trip from Madrid

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