Can you imagine walking through a forest surrounded by colourful leaves, discovering fairies hidden among the rocks or searching for painted mushrooms on tree trunks?
Catalonia is full of hidden places that look as though they have come straight out of a fairy tale. There are forests with sculptures, painted trees, moss-covered rocks and places surrounded by legends that spark the imagination of young and old alike.
Autumn is the perfect time to go on a family walk, enjoy the colours of nature and discover new landscapes. Get your backpacks ready and join us as we explore 9 enchanted forests in Catalonia that are well worth a visit!
Les Estunes Forest, the Fairies’ Palace
📍 Porqueres, Pla de l’Estany
Near Lake Banyoles lies a place that seems to hide secrets among the rocks. Les Estunes is known for its cracks and cavities between large blocks of travertine, forming unusual passages and secluded corners.
Local folklore associates this place with the goges, magical beings from Catalan legends. Children can imagine where these creatures lived while discovering the shapes of the rocks and listening to the stories surrounding this fascinating spot.
The Sculpture Forest of CelrĂ
📍 Celrà , Gironès
What if you came across unexpected sculptures during a walk in the woods? In the Sculpture Forest of CelrĂ , the works of artist Joan CarolĂ blend with nature, transforming the surroundings into a place full of surprises.
The sculptures encourage visitors to look closely and imagine stories inspired by the shapes they discover along the way. It is a different way to introduce children to art while enjoying time outdoors.
The Enchanted Forest of Gurb
đź“Ť Gurb, Osona
Near Vic, there is a forest that invites you to explore with your eyes wide open. Along the trail, you can discover wooden figures of animals and fantasy characters that surprise visitors.
These figures add a touch of mystery to the walk and encourage children to have fun searching for hidden shapes among the trees. There is also an area with tables and benches where you can stop for a break.
The Painted Forest of Poblet
đź“Ť Castellfollit, VimbodĂ i Poblet, Conca de BarberĂ
In the natural surroundings of Poblet, the trail becomes a game of observation: some tree trunks feature painted mushrooms that visitors can look for along the way.
These are not real mushrooms to pick, but painted designs that surprise visitors and add an artistic touch to the route. It is an especially appealing place to visit in autumn, when the forests turn shades of ochre and gold.
There is a short circular trail of around 3 km that starts and finishes at the Castellfollit Forest House. Before setting off, check the trail conditions and make sure it is suitable for your children’s ages.
The Trails of Capafonts
đź“Ť Capafonts, Baix Camp
In the Prades Mountains, the area around Capafonts offers paths surrounded by vegetation, springs, streams and hidden corners that invite you to imagine fantastic worlds.
It is an excellent option for a family excursion among the mountains and natural landscapes. Children can turn the walk into an adventure by looking for unusual shapes in the trees, imagining where fairies might hide or inventing stories about the places they discover.
The Witches’ Forest of l’Argentera
📍 L’Argentera, Baix Camp
The Witches’ Forest of l’Argentera is a place that invites you to let your imagination run wild. Its main character is Bruixa Marruixa, a witch who is part of the folklore surrounding this corner of Baix Camp.
The walk allows you to enjoy the landscape and turn an excursion into a shared adventure. It is a wonderful opportunity to tell legends, invent stories about witches and explore the forest’s hidden corners with the little ones.
The Enchanted Rocks Forest
đź“Ť Sant Feliu de Pallerols, Garrotxa
Les Roques Encantades is a remarkable place where enormous rocks, covered in moss and surrounded by vegetation, look as though they belong in a fairy-tale setting.
The shapes of the stones invite children to play a game of discovery, looking for animals, faces or imaginary characters. The woodland scenery is particularly beautiful in autumn, when the ground is covered with fallen leaves.
La Fageda d’en JordĂ , a Fairy-Tale Forest
đź“Ť Santa Pau, Garrotxa
La Fageda d’en JordĂ is one of Catalonia’s most iconic forests. This beech forest grows on gently undulating volcanic terrain and offers a very special atmosphere, particularly in autumn, when the leaves change colour.
Although it is not a forest filled with fantasy figures, the silence, towering tree trunks and sunlight filtering through the branches make it easy to imagine yourself inside a fairy tale.
The Witches’ Forest of Tredòs
📍 Tredòs, Val d’Aran
In the heart of the Val d’Aran, Tredòs is surrounded by mountains and forests that invite you to let your imagination run wild. 🌲🧙‍♀️
It is a lovely option for a family getaway, where you can walk through mountain landscapes, discover charming corners and turn a trip into nature into a little adventure for the children.
🍂 In autumn, the colours of the Val d’Aran forests create a special setting for enjoying the outdoors and sharing a family walk.
Tips for Visiting Enchanted Forests with Children
Before setting off on your excursion, keep these tips in mind:
- Wear suitable footwear: paths can be wet, slippery or covered with leaves.
- Check the route: look at the distance, elevation gain, difficulty level and starting point.
- Respect nature: do not pick plants, damage sculptures or leave litter behind.
- Bring water and snacks: especially if you are planning a longer walk.
- Turn the walk into a game: challenge the children to find leaves in different colours, spot shapes in the rocks or invent a story about the forest.
- Check the weather forecast: rain and mud can affect trail conditions in autumn.
Discover Campsites to Complete Your Getaway
Why not make the most of your excursion and spend a weekend away with the family? Catalonia has campsites along the coast, in the mountains and inland, allowing you to combine hiking, nature and relaxation.
At CampingsCat.com, you will find campsites in different areas to help you plan your next getaway. The following selection is organised by region, but not all the campsites are close to the forests mentioned above. Check driving distances, facilities and opening dates before planning your trip.
Campsites in Baix Camp, the Prades Mountains and the Costa Daurada
CĂ mping Prades Park, a Prades
EcoCamp Vinyols, a Vinyols i els Arcs
CĂ mping Platja Cambrils, a Cambrils
Playa Montroig Camping Resort, a Mont-roig del Camp
Alannia Els Prats, a Mont-roig del Camp
Campsites for Exploring Girona, Pla de l’Estany and the EmpordĂ
CĂ mping Vall de Camprodon, a la Vall de Camprodon
Cà mping Empordà , a l’Estartit
CĂ mping Interpals Eco Resort, a Pals
Campsites in Osona, BerguedĂ and Inland Catalonia
Huttopia Barcelona Pirineos, a Guardiola de BerguedĂ
Cà mping El Solsonès, a Solsona
Campsites in the Pyrenees
CĂ mping Pirineus, Guils de Cerdanya
CĂ mping Els Roures, a Camprodon
Opening dates and facilities may vary depending on the season. Check each campsite’s listing for the latest information.
Choose your campsite, pack your backpack and let yourself be enchanted by the forests of Catalonia! 🌲✨
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