La Rierada to Escaletes Hike – Easy River & Forest Trail in Collserola
Beautiful 12km easy hike in Collserola via Vallvidrera river through shaded forest, waterfalls & rural farmhouses. Pass Can Castelví & Can Rebella before Escaletes rock fissures & El Papiol
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About Collserola La Rierada to Escaletes and El Papiol Route
This beautiful 12 km easy hike explores one of the most scenic corners of the Parc Natural de la Serra de Collserola, following the Vallvidrera river from La Floresta through shaded forest trails, small waterfalls and quiet rural valleys. It’s a peaceful, nature‑rich route that feels far from the city despite being fully accessible by public transport.
The first part of the walk follows the river downstream through a cool, sheltered gorge lined with oaks, beeches, cork trees and wildflowers. The trail eventually reaches the small rural settlement of La Rierada, home to the well‑known restaurant Can Castelví — a popular stop for hikers and families. Booking ahead is recommended.
From here, the route continues deeper into the forest, passing the historic Can Blanes farmhouse and the remains of an old windmill before approaching Can Rebella, another traditional farmhouse restaurant famous for its rustic Catalan dishes and spring calçotadas.
After leaving Can Rebella, the trail climbs gently towards one of Collserola’s most striking natural features: the Escaletes — a series of narrow rock fissures that form a dramatic passageway through the hillside. It’s a unique geological formation and a highlight of the route.
The final stretch leaves the forest and enters El Papiol, a small town with historic buildings and a hilltop castle. The hike ends at El Papiol station on the R4 Rodalies line, making this a perfect linear route with easy train connections at both ends.
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Visiting Collserola La Rierada to Escaletes and El Papiol Route
This is a relaxed, nature‑rich hike that can be enjoyed year‑round, but it’s especially beautiful in spring and autumn when the forest is green and the Vallvidrera river carries more water. The full route takes around 3–4 hours at an easy pace, with plenty of shaded sections, small waterfalls and quiet forest paths that make it ideal for families, casual hikers and anyone looking for a peaceful escape close to Barcelona.
The trail passes two rural restaurants — Can Castelví in La Rierada and Can Rebella near Molins de Rei — both popular with hikers and known for traditional Catalan dishes. These make excellent mid‑route stops, especially during calçotada season (late winter to early spring), but it’s best to book ahead on weekends.
Most of the route follows the river or forest tracks, but the final stretch into El Papiol includes a short urban section with historic buildings and views of the town’s hilltop castle. From here, the R4 Rodalies station provides an easy return to Barcelona.
Hiking La Rierada to Escaletes and El Papiol with a Dog
This is one of the most dog‑friendly hikes in Collserola, thanks to its shaded forest paths, cool river sections and long stretches of soft terrain. Dogs that enjoy exploring natural scents, splashing in shallow water and walking under tree cover will love this route.
The first half of the hike follows the Vallvidrera river, offering several safe spots where dogs can paddle or drink during the cooler months. The forest is mostly oak, beech and cork, with occasional pine trees. In spring and early summer, be vigilant around pines for pine processionary caterpillars, which can be dangerous to dogs.
Most of the trail is off‑road and quiet, but there is a short section near El Papiol where the route briefly joins a residential street. If your dog doesn’t reliably heel, a leash is recommended here. The area around the rural restaurants — Can Castelví and Can Rebella — can also be busier on weekends, so keeping your dog close helps avoid unwanted encounters with other animals or diners.
Overall, this is an excellent choice for a dog‑friendly forest walk near Barcelona, combining shade, water access and varied terrain with easy public‑transport connections at both ends.
Calçotada at Can Rebella or Can Castelví
This hike is especially popular in late winter and early spring, when many of Collserola’s rural restaurants host traditional calçotadas. The route passes directly by two of the best places to enjoy one: Can Castelví in La Rierada and Can Rebella near Molins de Rei. Both offer rustic Catalan cooking in a countryside setting, making them ideal mid‑route stops after a morning on the trail.
Calçots are a seasonal Catalan delicacy — long, tender onions grown in trenches and harvested between January and April. They’re grilled over open flames until charred, wrapped in newspaper to steam, and eaten by hand after peeling away the outer layer. Each calçot is dipped into salvitxada, a rich sauce made from almonds, tomatoes, garlic and olive oil.
A traditional calçotada is a festive, messy and fun meal. Restaurants typically provide bibs, gloves and plenty of wet wipes, followed by a hearty second course of grilled meats, sausages or vegetables. Because these events are extremely popular, especially on weekends, it’s best to book in advance if you plan to eat at either Can Castelví or Can Rebella.
Want to dive deeper into the tradition? Learn about the origins, customs and the famous annual festival in Valls in this detailed Calçots Festival guide.
What to Take for Collserola La Rierada to Escaletes and El Papiol Route
This is an easy, well‑marked route close to towns and roads, so you won’t need specialised hiking gear. A small daypack with a few essentials is usually enough for a comfortable outing.
- Water: Bring 1–2 litres per person. The Vallvidrera river is not safe for drinking, but you can buy water at Can Castelví and Can Rebella if they are open.
- Footwear: Comfortable walking shoes or lightweight hiking shoes are ideal for the forest paths and occasional muddy sections.
- Clothing: A light jacket or waterproof layer is useful in cooler months or if rain is forecast, as the shaded valley can feel damp.
- Sun protection: Much of the route is shaded, but the final stretch into El Papiol is exposed — sunscreen and a hat are recommended.
- Navigation: The trail is straightforward, but having an offline map or GPS track is helpful around the Escaletes area.
- Optional: Snacks for the trail, especially if you’re not planning to stop at the rural restaurants.
Collserola La Rierada to Escaletes and El Papiol Summary of Prices
Train/Bus Fare
Entry Ticket
Additional Information
Train/Bus Fare
Entry Ticket
Additional Information
Adult
Zone 1 T-casual
FREE
Child
€ 1.25
FREE
Notes
Walk is free, Use T-casual Zone 1 ticket.
Getting to Collserola La Rierada to Escaletes and El Papiol Route
Address: Avenida Castellví S/N, Molins de Rei, 08750
This is a linear hike with excellent public‑transport connections at both ends, making it one of the easiest Collserola routes to access without a car.
- Start – La Floresta (FGC S1 / S2)
Begin the hike at La Floresta station on the Vallès FGC lines. Trains run approximately every 10 minutes and the station is a short walk from the trailhead. This is the most convenient starting point for reaching the Vallvidrera river section. - Finish – El Papiol (R4 Rodalies)
The route ends in El Papiol, where the R4 Rodalies line offers frequent trains back to Barcelona (around every 20 minutes). The station is located at the edge of town, just a few minutes from the end of the trail.
Both stations are within Zone 1, so you can use a T‑Casual or a Hola‑Barcelona travel card for the entire journey, including Metro, FGC and Rodalies services.
Documents for Collserola La Rierada to Escaletes and El Papiol Route
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