If we move away from Barcelona city (but without leaving the list of hiking routes and excursions in the province of Barcelona), there are many villages that enchant with their picturesque medieval influence and their glorious stories. In this route we will enter this province, and we present you one of the best routes and excursions to do in the Vallés Oriental, specifically between two small but cozy villages.
We decided to design this route from Gallifa to Mura, so that you have many more reasons and hiking routes to do in Catalonia. In addition, we have taken into account the proximity of the villages because we wanted to highlight the importance that they leave for the Catalan culture and history.
Enjoy with us a route that will take you to know the villages of Gallifa, Talamanca and Mura. An adventure full of history, good gastronomy and attractive nature.
For this route, we recommend you to bring hiking shoes, something to eat (if possible sandwiches and/or picnic) and a good camera to take pictures, because once you are there you will want to immortalize the moment and the landscapes that surround this incredible place.
We will start our route early in the morning leaving from the village of Gallifa, which we never tire of visiting for its beautiful natural landscapes that surround it, and its breathtaking views of the mountains and the neighboring mountains.
We continue our way through Monistrol de Calders to have a delicious breakfast and continue our journey towards the village of Talamanca. A small and cozy village with a medieval castle, which you can not miss.
Finally we have decided to finish in Mura, where apart from enjoying the contact with nature, we have taken the opportunity to visit some places of interest, and eat a little to close this morning route.
Gallifa
Gallifa is located at an altitude of 500 meters, and can reach 1,000 meters from its highest point. Even being in one of the highest mountain ranges in Catalonia, you have the luxury of enjoying a very pleasant Mediterranean climate throughout the year, making this place a true paradise in the middle of the mountains.
This particularly quiet village has approximately 200 inhabitants, who still preserve the rural lifestyle and invite you to live a more traditional Catalonia away from the cities.
Its historic center is preserved intact as well as its trails and natural parks: encouraging more and more tourists to get to know its cultural legacy, and to practice one or another mountain sport such as hiking, trekking, downhill…
Talamanca
Talamanca is one of the oldest villages in Catalonia . In this place were found the first urban sites of the entire region, which gradually were formed in the midst of castles, churches and religious buildings: in short, what is the people today.
The tour through the Talamanca vineyards is exciting. We recommend a walk through these crops that still preserve the oldest plantation systems, and consequently, the best harvests in the area.
Touring the castle and religious buildings, as well as taking the marked excursion along the river, is another of the things we are going to do on this route. It never hurts to know a little bit of history in every place we visit. Do not forget to visit the church of Santa Maria, the hermitage of Santa Magdalena, and the Talamanca castle (which is currently privately owned, and an appointment must be made for a guided tour). The visiting hours to visit this fortification are Saturdays at 5 pm, 6 pm and 7 pm, Sundays and holidays at 11 am, 12 pm and 1 pm. Please note that these tours are not available from December 15 to January 31). For more information, please click here.
Mura
Finally, we set out to visit the last village: Mura. A small town in the heart of the Bages. Being a very modest and welcoming town, it is surprising for having been one of the most important defenses of the whole Catalonia. Its incredible walls served for centuries to protect the area from invasions and thus safeguard the town and surrounding villages. And it is precisely to this characteristic that it owes its name, which in Catalan means “wall”.
Strolling through the center of the village is one of the activities that we propose in this place. Here you can take a look at some interesting sites such as the Church of San Martí, the hermitage of Sant Antoni, the Plaça de la diputació, the fountain of the rector, the fountain of the threshing floor y the castle of Mura. In addition to enjoying an exquisite Catalan cuisine in one of the restaurants or bars in this area.
