The best hiking routes in Parc Natural de Collserola

Parc Natural de Collserola rises directly behind Barcelona, acting as a green backdrop to the dense urban sprawl. This is a Mediterranean forest environment characterized by dry, pine-covered ridges and damp, shaded ravines. The contrast between the sun-baked southern slopes facing the sea, dominated by Aleppo pines and scrubby undergrowth, and the cooler northern slopes filled with evergreen oaks and deciduous trees, dictates the vegetation you will walk through.

Underfoot, the paths are mostly hard-packed clay, gravel, and loose stones, which can feel dusty. The terrain is hilly rather than mountainous, consisting of a series of rounded ridges cut by steep valleys, meaning most walks involve constant, moderate climbing and descending. You will notice ruins of old stone farmhouses, terraced hillsides now overgrown with brush, and occasional olive groves, which show how this landscape was shaped by agriculture before the forest reclaimed it.

Because of its proximity to the city, the areas near the main railway stations and the Carretera de les Aigües trail are often busy with runners and cyclists. To find quieter paths, you need to head deeper into the central valleys toward Santa Creu d'Olorda or the shady woods around San Medir, where the sound of city traffic fades behind the ridges.