Wine region just 45 minutes from Barcelona
Bikers can explore vineyards on an electric bike, road bike or mountain bike
Bike from the coast to the mountains
Hiking through two natural parks to enjoy flora, fauna, and historical buildings
Between the inland mountains and the plains of the Mediterranean coast, you’ll find the Penedès vineyards. There are a few sub-regions here, and Alt Penedes is by far the furthest inland. It is characterized by its higher-altitude, mountainous characteristics. It’s known for its sparkling Cava wines of superb quality and consistency vintage after vintage. The region also grows Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Garnacha and Monastrell. The region loves receiving tourism and is ready to help welcome guests with organized tours, rentals, and plenty of options for lodging.
Drinking wine and driving is one thing, but drinking wine and biking? A great idea! The Ruta de les Masies de Gelida (Gelida Farmhouses Route) is an easy route – you can even do it with kids – and it will allow you to discover iconic areas around Gelida and the Serres d’Ordal mountain range. If you want something that expends even less effort and is so much fun, coast your way through the Wine Route of Penedès on an electric bike. For those looking for something more active, mountain biking is also a possibility in this region – but probably best to save the wine tastings for after a day on the trails.
The Parc del Foix, a 3157 hectare natural park, is the most important wetland area of the Alt Penedès and makes for a beautiful way to see a wide variety of ecological environments – riverbank, reservoir, arroyo and forest ecosystems can be observed. There are also two castles, Castellet and Penyafort.
Parc d’Olèrdola is located in the foothills of the Garraf range of hills and is a natural lookout point perfect for photography. It has an ancient walled settlement built up successively by its past of Iberian, Roman and medieval inhabitants. At the very top of the park there is a 12th century church of Sant Miquel.
Within a small area there are so many different environments, from dry, rocky and shrubby, to islands of Aleppo pine forests, to wetlands that are home to turtles, water snakes and other reptiles and amphibians, and over 150 species of bird (200 during migration periods). Parc del Foix especially is a haven for bird lovers, as the Bonelli’s eagle, little ringed plover, the little bittern and the black-crowned night heron can all be spotted here.
Situated in both the Pyrenees and Pre-Pyrenees and also partly in the Catalan Central Depression, Bergueda is an inland destination offering over 2000km of hiking routes, mountain biking, the most popular climbing wall in Catalonia and some epic paragliding.
The rural district of Baix Ebre has a little of everything; impressive mountain landscapes in the Els Ports Natural Park, greenways for cycling, birdwatching in the Delta de l’Ebre Natural Park and plenty of chances to get out on the water by canoe or sea and river kayak.
A mere 45 minutes from bustling Barcelona you will find one of the most beautiful wine regions in the world. Picturesque farmhouses and family-owned vineyards make up the typical landscape in this area, which can be explored by hiking or biking.
With the Pyrenees to the north and the Mediterranean Sea with its famous Costa Brava to the south, there is definitely diversity in landscape. Protected areas of Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park, the Cap de Creus Natural Park, the Albera Natural Area and the Bassegoda area are just waiting to be explored. The area is rich in history, culture, and art.
