Natural Parks in Catalonia

Catalonia, in northeastern Spain, boasts a rich variety of natural parks that protect mountains, wetlands, and coastal areas. These parks showcase unique landscapes, from the volcanic terrain of La Garrotxa to the wetlands of Aiguamolls de l’Empordà. Visitors can hike, watch wildlife, or explore traditional villages that sit within these protected spaces. Natural parks in Catalonia offer both cultural heritage and outdoor adventure.

Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park

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Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park
  • Region: Catalonia
  • Province: Gerona
  • Declared a Natural Park: 1985
  • Park surface area: 13,309 hectares
  • Towns and villages: Castellfullit de la Roca, Las Planas, Las Presas, Mieras, Montagut y Oix, Olot, Sant Aniol de, Finestrás, San Feliu de Pallarols, San Juan les Fonts, Santa Pau, Vall de Vianya

Points of interest

The Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park covers a holocene volcanic field (also known as the Olot volcanic field). The volcanos (about forty within the park) are no longer active and the last eruption (Croscat) occurred around 11,000 years ago.

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Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park

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Cadí-Moixero Natural Park
  • Region: Catalonia
  • Province: Barcelona, Gerona y Lérida
  • Declared a Natural Park: 1983
  • Park surface area: 41,059 hectares
  • Towns and villages Alàs i Cerc, Alp, Bagà, Bellver de Cerdanya, Castellar de n’Hug, Cava, Das, Gisclareny, Gósol, Guardiola de Berguedà, Josa i Tuixent, Vansa i Fórnols, La Montellà i Martinet, Riu de Cerdanya, Saldes, Urús, Vallcebre.

Points of interest

The Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park (Catalan: Parc Natural del Cadí-Moixeró) is located to the north of Catalonia and near to the border with Andorra. A rugged terrain in the comarques of Alt Urgell, Berguedà and Cerdanya, the protected area stretches for more than 30 kilometers over the mountain ranges of Serra del Cadí and Serra de Moixeró, with the peak of Vulturó at 2,648 metres.

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Alt Pirineu Natural Park

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Alt Pirineu Natural Park
  • Region: Catalonia
  • Province: Lérida
  • Declared a Natural Park: 2003
  • Park surface area: 69.850 hectares (2018 Enlargement of the surface of Alt Pirineu Natural Park up to 79.317 hectares.)
  • Towns and Villages: Alins de Vallferrera, Esterri de Cardós, Farrera, Lladorre, Llavorsí, Montferrer i Castellbò, Tirvia, Valle de Cardós and Valles del Valira

Points of interest

The Alt Pirineu Natural Park is the largest natural park in Catalonia and is located in the Catalan Pyrenees between the Val d’Aran in the west and Andorra to the east. It is interesting to note that all the nearby towns and villages are outside of the parks limits.

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Macizo de Montserrat Natural Park

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Macizo del Montseny Natural Park
  • Region: Catalonia
  • Province: Barcelona
  • Declared a Natural Park: 1987
  • Park surface area: 3,630 hectares
  • Towns and villages: Bruch, Collbató, Monistrol de Montserrat and Marganell

Points of interest

The Macizo de Montserrat Natural Park is a multi-peaked mountain range near Barcelona. The main peaks are Sant Jeroni (1,236 m), Montgrós (1,120 m) and Miranda de les Agulles (903 m). This area is well known for the site of the Benedictine abbey Santa Maria de Montserrat and the Virgin of Montserrat sanctuary.

Day trip to Montserrat from Barcelona

Take a half-day trip from Barcelona to Monserrat. See views from the mountain, visit a famous monastery, and take a walking tour.

Begin your day with pickup and enjoy the most exclusive views of this spectacular natural setting, the Holy Mountain. This rocky monument is known for the whimsical shapes of its peaks soaring through the sky.

After visiting the monastery, your guide will take you on a walking tour to take in the stunning views from the site that was declared a national park in 1987. Next, you’ll visit the Holy Cave, where legend has it the Virgin appeared. It is now a center of pilgrimage and prayer.

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