Parc Collserola – Hiking, Nature & Forest Trails Behind Barcelona

Hiking & Nature in Parc Collserola on Barcelona's Doorstep

Rising directly behind Barcelona, the Sierra de Collserola forms an 84.65 km² protected natural park of woodlands, fields and river valleys. Often called the lungs of Barcelona, this vast green space acts as a natural barrier to urban expansion and offers some of the most accessible nature in Catalonia.

Collserola is far more than a buffer between the city and surrounding towns. It is a rich Mediterranean ecosystem with Aleppo and stone pines, evergreen oak, elm, water willow and white poplar. The landscape shifts between forest, riverside copses, scrubland and open grasslands, creating exceptional biodiversity.

More than 1,000 plant species have been catalogued here, and the park is home to over 300 species of animals, including wild boar, genets, stone martens, badgers, rabbits and squirrels. Birdlife is equally diverse, with blue tits, whitethroats, treecreepers, woodpeckers, doves and birds of prey such as goshawks and sparrowhawks.

If you’re visiting Barcelona, a day hike in Collserola is one of the easiest ways to escape the city. The park is exceptionally well connected by Metro, FGC and Rodalies trains, and I’ve curated a selection of routes suitable for all levels.

The long-distance GR‑92 coastal trail briefly leaves the Mediterranean and crosses Collserola. One of the easiest sections is the Vila Joana route, a 7 km family‑friendly walk ending at Tibidabo and following part of the GR‑92.

For panoramic views of Barcelona, start at Zona Universitària and climb to the Sant Pere de Màrtir telecoms tower. From here, follow the ridgeline to Vallvidrera village before descending to the Vallvidrera Reservoir. This can be combined with the Vila Joana route to create a rewarding 14 km traverse.

On the northern side of the park lies Sant Cugat, a historic town with a remarkable monastery museum and a modernist wine cellar. These can be visited independently or included at the start of a route that crosses the heart of Collserola via Can Borrell and the 12th‑century Sant Medir chapel, finishing in Barcelona’s Horta district.

To explore Collserola’s industrial past, follow the circular route to the abandoned cement factory and mines. This trail passes the Gothic ruins of Castellciuró, offering superb views over the Llobregat valley, before reaching the Creu d’Olorda hermitage, restaurant and picnic area.

Another highlight is crossing the park from east to west via the La Rierada river valley to Escaletes and El Papiol. The first half winds through dense oak forest along the river, passing waterfalls and the beautiful Can Planes farmhouse. The route continues to Masia Can Rabella, a former wine‑making farmhouse and excellent lunch stop, before finishing in El Papiol with its Gothic castle.

La Carretera de les Aigües is the most iconic route on the Barcelona-facing side of the park — a wide, flat walking, running and cycling path with purpose‑built viewpoints overlooking the entire city. It stretches the full length of Barcelona and is popular with runners, cyclists and families.

Collserola also preserves traces of early settlements, including the Iberian village of Serra del Moro, numerous natural springs such as La Budellera, and even an abandoned casino‑hotel complex hidden in the forest.

Click on the images below to explore each route in detail — including maps, transport information, downloadable PDFs, weather forecasts, highlights and full photo galleries.

Happy Exploring!

Map of Attractions in Parc Natural Collserola