Spain is a great place for lovers of hiking, as there’s a huge variety of different landscapes, and Catalonia is a great place to get walking and start to discover them. In this autonomous region you’ll find more than 5,000 kilometres of long distance trails and 4,000 kilometres of short distance routes where you can enjoy the natural world with every step you take, and at your own pace, choosing either a route through the mountains or close to the sea. Read on and take note if you’d like to explore the best trails in Catalonia and exercise both mind and body.
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Camí de Ronda hiking trail
The old path that runs along the Costa Brava and was once patrolled by guards and lookouts to protect the coast from attackers and smugglers, is today one of the busiest and most beautiful trails in Catalonia, particularly in summer. A path between coves of crystal-clear waters, cliffs and tiny fishing villages that follows the northern Catalan coast, offering you hundreds of places to enjoy the sun and the sea. The route is around 43 kilometres long, running from Sant Feliu de Guíxols to Begur, and although there are stretches that are very accessible and more or less flat, much of the trail is full of ups and downs, and some parts can be a bit difficult.
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Cavalls del Vent
Located in the heart of the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park, this route is over 80 kilometres long, has more than 10,000 metres of elevation gain, and is one of the best-known and the most frequently visited by Catalan climbers. Along the way, you’ll find eight mountain refuges nestled in the natural park, and at its highest point – at the Niu de l’Àliga refuge – you’ll find yourself at an altitude of 2,537 metres. Remember that the route is marked out with orange signposts, and that although the trail is circular, we recommend walking in an anti-clockwise direction. This way, you’ll enjoy a much more comfortable route, so all you’ll need to worry about is enjoying the views.
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Carros de Foc
This is another high mountain trail, located in the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park in the heart of the Pyrenees, in the province ofLleida. It’s a route that links the park’s nine mountain refuges, and covers a distance of 55 kilometres. There is no signposting on certain stretches, making a map your best friend here, together with the markers left by other walkers. As you walk this trail, you’ll be able to enjoy some wonderful landscapes: high mountain lakes, spectacular peaks, beautiful spruce forests and deep valleys. We recommend undertaking this trail during the summer months, as at other times of the year it can be dangerous, due to snow and low temperatures.
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Matagalls
This is the name of a mountain that reaches a height of almost 1,700 metres and stands in the middle of the Montseny Natural Park, around 50 kilometres fromBarcelona. This route is fairly easy and suitable for all, spanning eight kilometres in a circular loop. On a clear day with cloudless skies, you’ll even be able to make out Viladrau, and the Montseny, and see all the way fromMontserrat to the Pyrenees. Amazing views that feel like a real reward for having reached the top of this rugged mountain!And remember, if you’re a hiking enthusiast, there are plenty more trails in Catalonia that will be perfect for you. With routes that lead through the mountains or along the beach, both long and short, come and discover all the hiking opportunities that Spain has to offer in this beautiful region.
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