Salt de Sallent waterfall
Located about an hour and a half northeast of Barcelona is the rustic village of Rupit i Pruit, an tiny ancient rural village built into the mountain. Its castle and original church of Sant Joan de Fàbregues date back to the year 968. The village also hosts some reputable restaurants such as Ca l’Estragues and Hostal Estrella that both serve authentic Catalan cuisine and are capable of appeasing a hungry stomach after hours of activity. The main attraction in Rupit i Pruit however is its immense waterfall. The Salt De Sallent is a remarkable 100 metre cascade that leads the Rupit River to the sloped hillside below. The dramatic shift from green pastures to jagged cliffs enable the tremendous drop off that empties the river into a pool of water below – making for some excellent pictures! A steady gradient of green hills lead to a vast valley that completes the epic Catalonian scenery to be taken full advantage of by any keen walkers or those just looking for some fresh air and something a little out of the ordinary! The best way to get there is by car – plenty of car rental agencies can be found around Barcelona very reasonable prices.
El Parque Natural De Montseny
Whether it’s just a day trip or an extended stay, El Parque Natural De Monsteny is a great getaway located 60 km from bustling Barcelona. The Montseny Natural Park is in the Catalan pre-coastal mountain range, of which the Monseny massif is the highest part. Its 30,000 acres consist of incredible scenic mountain ranges, well-marked trails, streams, meadows, cliffs and forests. An abundance of wildlife is also present in El Parque Natural de Montseny as visitors may encounter various species of birds, wild boars, foxes, reptiles and fish. Montseny is also well known for its crop growing thanks to its ideal climate. This reserve is an exceptional location for a nature walk, hike, bike ride or retreat.
Montjuïc Castle
A bike ride to Montjuïc Castle from the city streets provides you with the chance to get serious exercise while experiencing many of Barcelona’s greatest attractions. Visitors can rent bikes through local businesses like Bike Rental Barcelona or Green Bikes for under 10 Euros per day. Starting at the infamous Plaça d’Espanya, the trail takes riders past Barcelona’s Font Màgica de Montjuïc, winding around to the Olympic Stadium and eventually leading to Montjuïc Castle. This historic stone monument, an icon of the Spanish Civil War, is nearly 400 years old and flaunts elaborate floral gardens beneath its entrance bridge. In total the path is 7km long and climbs roughly 600 feet in a fairly short distance which makes for a convincing cardio workout! Along the way, there are plenty of public water fountains and rest stops if needed. The 360-degree view of the Barcelona and the Mediterranean Sea from the top of the castle makes the bike ride a well worthwhile experience. Find out what else Montjuïc has to offer here.
Costa Brava
Spanning from the outskirts of Barcelona to the French border, the Costa Brava offers a multitude of attractions for hikers, travelers and sightseers. Camí Ronda, which is also referred to as the Costa Brava Way or Grand Randonée in French, is a 220km hiking trail that connects seaside towns from Blanes an hour outside of Barcelona to the city of Collioure in France. Along the way, visitors will discover sparsely populated rocky coastline, quaint fishing villages and hidden coves and beaches. The majority of the route is carved out of the coastal landscape and is ideal for exploring the Mediterranean’s distinctive mountainous terrain and transparent waters. Along the Camí Ronda small villages are sculpted into the coast, with boats bobbing at their shores. Of these unique villages are Lloret del Mar, Cadaqués, Roses and Blanes. When visiting, be sure not to miss out on the restaurants Compartir in Cadaqués and La Parilla in Lloret del Mar. The Costa Brava is undoubtedly one of the best features Catalonia has to offer and is a must-see for anyone visiting the area. Whether you’re a laidback sightseer or an experienced hiker looking to conquer challenging terrain, this is the perfect place to enjoy some fantastic scenery and idyllic landscape.
Montserrat
Visiting this relished 1,000-year-old monastery offers visitors a day packed with history and breath-taking scenery. The monastery itself is situated almost 1,000 metres above sea level and is set into the cliffs just below the peak of a huge mountain. It can be reached by road or train from Barcelona’s Plaça d’Espanya to the Aeri de Montserrat cable car or the Montserrat Rack Railway. The Romanesque buildings of the Monsterrat sanctuary gives visitors a taste of 11th century architecture as the central square provides a 360-degree view of the mountain range above and below. Guided tours of the entire sanctuary are given to most effectively share the artistic, historic and natural heritage of the site. Also, be sure to check out the Via Crucis and Els Degotalls trail walks. Two railways, Funicular de Sant Joan and Funicular de la Santa Cova, can take tourists to the highest peaks of monastery where they can keep discovering the unparalleled views and more sacred buildings such as the Monumental Rosary. Trust us, Montserrat is definitely worth the climb!
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