Hiking families
Hiking with your family is a perfect plan for any time of the year. Hiking routes are a good choice for getting in touch with nature and for discovering new landscapes. It is also the ideal activity to be enjoyed as a complement to any getaway or trip.
Catalonia is ideal for this activity, since it has great routes throughout its territory, suitable for all preferences and levels. It is also a unique and special way of learning about ancestral trades, new places, and discovering them in their most genuine way. We propose 12 routes for all the family.
Venture along the old shepherds’ and smugglers’ paths throughout Catalonia and discover the mountain refuges that await you warmly to rest, cool off in summer or enjoy the cozy warmth of a good fireplace.
The benefits of hiking
In Pirineus-Noguera Pallaresa you will find a great diversity of routes in the surroundings of Rialp and the Vall de la Coma. There are also more cultural hikes such as the Camino de los Buenos Hombres or the Caminos del Exilio. There are also interesting activities that involve a combination of hiking and orienteering. In Sort there is a special circuit in the natural surroundings of the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park and the Alt Pirineu Natural Park with 3 routes of low, medium and high difficulty. Each one has 15 goals to achieve.
Join the explorers, thanks to the Explore the park passport of the Alt Pirineu Natural Park. This booklet explains and indicates a series of natural sites in the natural park that can be accessed: viewpoints, trails, interpretation centres… Once all of them have been stamped, you will be given a special prize at the park offices.
In the Vall d’en Bas-Les Preses, you will also have to put your inner navigation compass to work. In the orienteering circuit organised by Guies de Muntanya i Barrancs you will have to find several hidden beacons in the forest with the support of a compass and a map.
The breathtaking views at the end of the road
In Vall de Núria, you will enjoy a combination of hiking and a trip on the rack railway, the only way to access the valley, and on the Coma de Clot cable car, which will take you to the Pic de l’Àliga, at an altitude of 2,170 metres. Once there, you can take different paths to enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of the valley and its surroundings.
In Berga, you will find the “balcony of Catalonia”, a location in the serra de Queralt named after the magnificent views from it. On cloudless days you can even see the mountain of Montserrat. The hike through this mountain range is easy to climb and can be completed in an hour and a half. From the top, at 1,200 m, you will find the Sanctuary of Santa Maria de Queralt, which you can visit while you take a rest from your hike.
Birdwatching tours with specialised guides
In Sant Pere Pescador there is a hike rute that can be enjoyed on foot or by bicycle. The route is perfect for any season of the year and you will discover the more than 300 species of birds that make this area their sanctuary and resting place, many of which are protected and of great beauty. In Torroella de Montgrí-l’Estartit there are rutes organised with fauna, flora and cultural heritage professionals who will show you the treasures of the Montgrí Natural Park, the Illes Medes and the Baix Ter, where you can also learn about the birds that inhabit the area.
In Malgrat de Mar, there is an activity in the Delta de la Tordera where a specialised guide will show you the animal and plant species typical of coastal aquatic environments. The guide will also explain you the behaviour of the grey heron, the flamingo and other common birds of the delta. The activity also includes a family paddle surfing activity and lunch.
Interpretative hiking is what you will practice in Ports. You will walk along the 7.8km route of La Mola, in the Natural Park of Els Ports, together with a mountain guide who will explain everything you will find along the way: extensive Scots pine forests, beautiful valleys with holm oak and beech forests and ends and all Hispanic goats.
Hiking among shepherds and painted mushrooms
In Muntanyes de Prades hiking in the Capafonts area also involves learning about an ancestral profession such as shepherding. Come and join the shepherd as part of his herd of goats and you will discover his day-to-day life. You will walk along the banks of the river Brugent and at the end of the activity you will be escorted to herd the goats.
Near the Castellfollit ravine, you will find the painted forest of Poblet. A unique forest, in which you will have to discover the mushrooms painted on the trees. You will have to find the right perspective to identify them. The mycological journey can be done in about an hour. Be careful because they are not edible. Good luck and keep your eyes open!
Educational trails with a lot of tradition
Discovering marine ecosystems is one of the goals of the Star and Tit route. Star and Tweet are a starfish and a seagull, the mascots of the Tourist Office of Torroella de Montgrí-l’Estartit. Through these cute characters,, you will discover the town’s main tourist attractions. You will have a map to find them and also a book of games that sets a challenge for each of the points of interest, which are marked with panels. If you do them all, you can get a prize.
The farmhouses of the Natural Park of Cap de Creus are the star attractions of this route to Roses. A walking tour through this natural beauty spot of the Costa Brava, where you will pass by farmhouses such as d’en Berta and Mas Ponac. All these farmhouses are overlooked by the castle of Bufalaranya, in the Sierra de Rodes. As you follow the route, you will learn about the past and the history of all these buildings.
Discover the Camins de Ronda footpaths with your family
Walking by the sea is a very interesting option for families. These coastal paths are easy to follow and there are many surprises in store for the little ones: suddenly a hidden cove appears, a castle, a sculpture… The Camí de Ronda de Sant Pol, in Sant Feliu de Guíxols, starts at the top of the cliff above the port and extends as far as Sant Pol beach. Along the way, you’ll pass by beautiful coves where you can make a stop and spectacular cliffs such as Cap de Mort and Cala del Peix.
At Calonge and Sant Antoni, try taking the Cami de Ronda Way, which starts at Torre Valentina, an old defensive tower, and ends at Cala Belladona. You’ll discover the town’s piracy history and also enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of the coves. Watch out for corsairs!