Last Updated on January 24, 2024 by Christian Heide
What is the Collserola Natural Park?
The magnificent mountain range Serra de Collserola rises up over the Barcelona Metropolitan Area. It is almost touching the city. For the huge population that lives around these mountains it forms a much-loved and incredibly valuable natural area and a great privilege to enjoy. Collserola is a well-preserved natural area – 22 times bigger than Central Park in New York. Though forest predominates it includes a variety of other plant formations that provide a habitat for valuable biological diversity as well.
Things to do in Barcelona – Discover the natural park of Collserola
Temple and amusement park on top
The Collserola area is full of exciting places and invites you to go hiking in nature. It is easily accessible. Just towards the Barcelona side you will encounter the mountain range of Tibidabo. On its top you will find an amusement park and the Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor.
Parc Tibidabo is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world that are still running. It was opened in 1905 and still has many original attractions.
The church on top of the mountain was built between 1902 and 1962 and received the title of Basilica Minor by Pope John XXIII.
Barcelona´s Telecom Tower
A hidden gem is going up the Torre de Collserola, Barcelona´s iconic telecom tower designed by Sir Norman Foster. The emblematic tower was built for the Olympic Games in 1992. With its futuristic design it provides the highest view point of the city. It is spectacular to go up with the glass lift to a viewing platform. With good weather you can see as far as the mountain monastery of Montserrat. The telecom tower is one of the few remaining attractions not overrun by tourism in Barcelona.
Carretera de les Aiguës – Barcelona´s Panoramic Walkway
When taking public transport from downtown Barcelona (details below) and then switch to the funicular at Peu de Funicular you can exit the train at its mid-stop and walk along the Carretera de les Aigües – the water way. This trail got its name from the water pipes that used to run along this path. It offers magnificent viewing points from the Collserola ridge over all of Barcelona. With a length of almost 10 kilometres and its highest point at 300 metres above sea level it has become one of the locals’ most popular cycling and walking trails.
Turn right when facing the city and walk to the end of the Carretera (approx. 4.5 km) you will find a great tapas bar called “Espai Mireia” where you can have great food and wine whilst enjoying the amazing views.
Hiking around Barcelona – Collserola is a great natural park nearby
The natural park offers many hiking options with a variety of resting and picknick places. You can easily cross the whole park towards any direction and then comfortably take the train back to Barcelona. Or you just plan a round walking trip.
More than a city – Barcelona Nature Walk: The Barcelona Feeling offers a great leisure hike through the park to the medieval city of Sant Cugat. This four hours walk – mostly downhill – will roughly follow the old Roman road. We will pass by medieval chapels, a furnace and ruins.
How to get to Tibidabo, the entrance to the Collserola Natural Park?
Take the S1 or S2 train FGC (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya) from Plaça Catalunya to Peu del Funicular. Switch to the funicular and go up the mountain to Vallvidrera Superior. You can use the same metro ticket for zone 1. You can also check options where to get off during a Barcelona bus tour.
