Looking for a lovely, agreeable route to discover nature with the youngest members of the family? We’ve got 22 of them for you!
Stroll around a reservoir, delve into the woods, climb a first peak, walk along a river or stop in a picture-postcard town. Hoping for a different sort of family outing? We recommend a number of agreeable and perfect routes for you to take all together: with little elevation change and through friendly environments filled with surprises. In addition, these itineraries are perfect for enjoying the burst of autumn colours, but they also can be followed any day of the year.
EL BERGUEDÀ
Gósol mill and Torrentsenta
2-3 hours
Circular route which starts in the main square of the town of Gósol. You’ll soon abandon the main road and set off on a forest trail, passing a modern fountain where you can fill your canteens before beginning the hike. The trail will take you to the mill of Gósol, restored and now a mountain shelter and, right in front, you’ll find a trout farm and picnic area. Cross the river and follow the trail downhill for a few metres before taking the old path off to the right, where you’ll begin to gain elevation. Towards Torrentsenta, you’ll pass the Lieutenant's Hut, the hole of the torrent Forcat and the fountain of Torrentsenta. The return trip is made calmly on a wide, flat trail.
Via del Nicolau
3,5 hours
The recovery of the Nicolau railway has made it possible to take an agreeable stroll between Guardiola de Berguedà and Sant Joan de l’Avellanet. The path takes us into the woods, with different types of tunnels and bridges. The proximity of the river Bastareny offers a lovely view of the valley flanked by the town of Bagà, where the route begins. The way back, after visiting the monastery of Sant Llorenç, heads toward Guardiola and Terradelles before returning to the royal road from Bagà to Berga.
SOLSONÈS
Route from Mare de la Font to Castellvell
1h30
This circular route from Solsona is the region’s star itinerary. It transports you from the lush riverside woods to the panoramic views of the Castellvell watchtower, a landscape of contrasts between sun and shade. Along the walk, you’ll discover places filled with elements of the territory’s heritage, such as its flora, leisure or history. Under 90 minutes long, it poses no technical difficulties and is apt for all users. The starting point is found quite close to the Solsonès Tourism Office, from which many other routes also begin.
Apple tree route
55 minutes
This circular route will introduce you to the area around Sant Llorenç de Morunys and the various apple tree orchards found in fields near the town. The walk takes you along the old royal road which once connected Sant Llorenç de Morunys with La Coma and, also, over the Romanesque bridge in Vall-llonga or the chapel of Santa Creu dels Ollers. It is an ideal trail for the whole family or for anyone who wants to take a small trip around the town.
PALLARS JUSSÀ
Sant Gervàs Castle route
1h15 minutes
In the valley of Barcedana, you’ll find this circular 3.1-km itinerary which starts in Sant Miquel de la Vall. Along the trail, with little elevation change and apt for the whole family, you’ll discover the ruins of Sant Gervàs Castle and enjoy the autumn colours on the forest path. The route also offers spectacular views of Montsec.
Route from Cabdella to La Central de Cabdella
1hour
To experience autumn with your family more intensely, one good option is to visit and delve into the valley Fosca. If you're not up to the classic route from the valley of Riqüerna to the waterfall of the Pontet de Rus bridge, which climbs quite a bit, there are other, more feasible options for a family walk. They include this itinerary which leaves from Cabdella and goes to La Central de Cabdella through the hole of La Guinea. Return via the Xic canal, making a total of 3 km and 1h of trail.
CERDANYA
Lovers’ Path
De 45 minutes to an hour
A quite popular itinerary which leaves from the banks of the pond of Puigcerdà. The trail, surrounded by trees, offers good views of La Cerdanya and follows the Cerdanya hiking network and a stretch of the sluice which transports water to the pond. The elevation change is insignificant, and the stroll amounts to 4.1 km if you take the Rigolisa detour. If you take the itinerary directly from the Lovers’ path, it lasts 3.5 km. It is a great route to take with the family, whether on foot or by bike.
Sant Jaume path
Although it is a road of more than 30 km, it has little elevation change and can be done in stretches, making it a good option to enjoy with the youngest members of the family. The stages can divide the trip in itineraries of 11, 6, 7 or 9 km. The walk along this prehistoric path immerses us in the essence of a county which has played a key role in the country’s history and reveals one of the loveliest valleys in Europe.
VAL D’ARAN
Montgarri Sanctuary
3 hours
The Beret plain, formerly the scene of witches’ and wizards’ covens, is a great esplanade at an altitude of 1850 m. Exceptional for its location, it is a natural border between the Atlantic side to the north and the Mediterranean to the south. The itinerary descends along the course of the river Noguera Pallaresa and crosses black pine woods and pasture areas before reaching the shelter and the Montgarri Sanctuary, in an open, sunny spot by the river Noguera Pallaresa. The return trip follows the trail of the shady side amidst the fir forests on Dossau Mountain.
Carlac huts
2 hours
Bausen is a charming town, hidden there where the side of Vacanera Mountain softens a bit and enables the settlement of a village surrounded by meadows and pastures. The hike winds around the slope of the mountain along a well-marked trail and then enters a spectacular beech forest to return to the light and the panoramic views of Bausen and Baish Aran after passing El Coret de Pan.
RIPOLLÈS
Surroca-Ogassa mining field
Under 3 hours
The itinerary begins in Surroca de Baix, a former mining colony created in 1870 to provide services to the miners who worked in the local coal mines. The route, of great geological, landscape and natural interest, reveals the vestiges of the historical mining activity in the municipality of Ogassa. Along the trail, you will enjoy the waterfalls of the Torrent de la Font Gran, the views offered by the pastures of the Cavallera range, and the freshness of the beech woods in the shade of Assuca. You can also take advantage of the chance to visit the Romanesque church of Sant Martí de Surroca and the Mining Museum and coal mines of Ogassa.
Royal road from Vallfogona to Ripoll
Between 3 and 4 hours
The route departs from Vallfogona del Ripollès and, soon, veers off the asphalt to cross the Boix torrent and continue toward the house of La Muntada. The itinerary leads you to follow the course of the Vallfogona creek and reveals the mill of Tolosa, Les Fosses mountain pass and the torrent of La Font del Soler. You’ll enter Ripoll by way of Torner path, through the area known as the Farm. One approach is to take it in just one direction and return to the beginning of the route by bus. Moreover, you can prepare the route from home by taking a 3D virtual visit of the interior of the Sanctuary de la Salut in Vallfogona: here.
GARROTXA
Ascent to Santa Magdalena de Montpalau
1h30
It constitutes a simple route for the whole family that introduces walkers to the old Montpalau fortress. In some stretches the trail climbs decisively, but, little by little and taking it in stride, the itinerary is apt for everyone. Once on top, you’ll find the ruins of the castle and its chapel and, in addition, enjoy panoramic views of Alta Garrotxa. You’ll return towards Sant Jaume along a path which delves into an oak forest and which, in some stretches, descends abruptly.
Greenway of the valley of Bianya
1 hour
This itinerary follows the line of the greenway which unites Hostalnou de Bianya with Llocalou and La Canya. The proposal makes it possible to go, pedalling or on foot, from one place to another between farmland and pastures. Whether from Hostanou or Llocalou, slight detours from the route will lead you to other points of interest like the church of Sant Andreu de Socorrats or the façade of the Mas de la Riba (“riverbank farmhouse”), a modernist building in Hostalnous de Bianya.
ALT EMPORDÀ
Watchtower and Sant Antoni path
1 hour
Departing from the church of Sant Llorenç, follow the flow of the water upriver until you reach the iron bridge. The route crosses the town of Sant Llorenç, passes the noria in Parc d’en Pep, and continues alongside the Muga, via a bridge over the sluice which brings water to the noria. Also, it reaches the chapel of Sant Antoni and the bridge and is suitable for wheelchairs and strollers if followed in the direction from the chapel to the noria, where there are some steps, 800 meters of accessible trail.
Sant Ferran Castle route
Under 3 hours
Known by the inhabitants of Figueres as the cholesterol route, it is a short itinerary in a zone with a natural, historic feel, right in the city of Figueres and which brings you to Sant Ferran Castle, one of the largest military fortresses in the world. All along the trail, you’ll enjoy a fantastic view of the Empordà plain, the bay of Roses and the mountains of Cap de Creus, L’Albera and Les Salines. Moreover, as you continue, you’ll also enjoy the county of la Garrotxa and, on clear days, you can even see the Montseny massif or try to observe the herd of deer which inhabit the castle grounds.
PALLARS SOBIRÀ
Sort - Vernedes
3h
Sort, the Tros de Sort dairy, the castle of the counts of Pallars or the Liberty Road Museum... are just a few of the points along this nearly-six-kilometre, family-friendly route. The castle, which was the place of residence of the counts of Pallars, towers above the historic centre of Sort and from its windows you can see a panoramic view of the zone. As for the Museum, it is a centre of peace on the border: through the town of Sort passed one of the routes followed by those who fled Nazi brutality or wished to join the Allied Forces in northern Africa or England.
Gerber lake waterfall
3h
Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park is the only national park in Catalonia and is worth a visit from any hiking lover. This family route goes through the Gerdar fir forest to the magnificent lookout point of the Gerber cascade, one of the tallest waterfalls in the Park. The start is located at the Gerdar shelter and the itinerary is 2.7 km one-way.
ALTA RIBAGORÇA
Barruera - El Pont de Saraís
1h30
Walking through the valley of Boí, a family-friendly destination of nature and mountain, is much more than enjoying the landscape: it is an authentic hiking paradise. This itinerary, following the water, departs from Barruera (1097 m), goes along the riverside path, passes the Cardet dam, crosses the hanging bridge over the Noguera de Tor and continues parallel to the river to El Pont de Saraís.
Salencar de Llesp
1h
This space is home to plant and animal species native to humid mountain areas. It is, in fact, a key point for the observation of birds and fauna in general: ducks, water hens, grey herons, water snakes or even the occasional otter can be seen there. It represents a site of special interest for its uniqueness and for being a spotting point for migrating birds. The wetland can be discovered via lookout points, elevated walkways and interior trails in the middle of a well-structured riverbank forest and some of the spaces are adapted for people with reduced mobility and vision impairment.
ALT URGELL
The Oliana dam from the Nargó mountain pass
1:30 h round trip
This well-conditioned, perimeter path, with practically no change in elevation, will take you along the right border of the reservoir, a lovely walk for contemplating the environment and enjoying the fauna and flora around you. The trail, known as the Sand Trail, is unpaved, but it is passable both on foot and by bike. It begins from the hotel Fonda del Llac.
Peramola fountain path
45 minutes round trip
This circular route makes it possible to visit some of the closest fountains. It begins at the washhouse at the town’s entrance, taking a path to the left of the road to Cortiuda. After crossing the bridge over the stream, you’ll reach the spot “Espai Miquel Martí i Pol”. Nearby, you’ll find the old noria which brought water up to the town, the Cristo fountain and the Poble fountain. The trail goes on to the Caner fountain, Mig fountain and Vila fountain.
Pictures: Sauth deth Pish. Val d'Aran. Crèdit: Oriol Clavera (ACT) | Berga. Crèdit: ACT | Solsonès. Crèdit: Oriol Clavera (ACT) | Senterada. Crèdit: ACT - Christopher Willan Photography | Camí de Sant Jaume. Crèdit: Cerdanya Turisme | Mirador de Fontalba, zona de Queralbs. El Ripollès. Crèdit: Lluís Carro. ACT | Mas Garganta. Crèdit: ACT - Christopher Willan Photography | Camí de ronda del Far de Cala Nans, Cadaqués. Crèdit: Ajuntament de Cadaqués | Bosc del Gerdar. Pallars Sobirà. Crèdit: Oriol Clavera (ACT) | Sant Climent de Taüll. Crèdit: ACT - Christopher Willan Photography | La Garrotxa. Crèdit: ACT - Christopher Willan Photography | Pont de Pedret. Crèdit: ACT - Christopher Willan Photography | PN Aigüestortes. Oriol Clavera (ACT)
