6 forests in Catalonia to visit in autumn

Viladrau is one of the best gateways to Montseny in autumn. The forests begin just outside the village, and within minutes you’re walking among beech trees, collecting chestnuts, or following quiet paths, without the crowds of places like Santa Fe. It’s a very popular destination for those seeking to disconnect without long car journeys.

From experience, we know that many travellers choose to stay overnight in Viladrau after their walk; we ourselves have accommodation in the area, and it’s common to see guests repeat the route the next day. Going and returning in a single day can be quick, but waking up there is something else: no rush, no car, just the morning chill, a hot coffee, and the forest waiting again. Ideal for a simple, hassle-free getaway.

Montnegre i el Corredor is one of those escapes many plan thinking they’ll return home to sleep… until they arrive. Among forest tracks, holm oaks, and gravel paths, it’s a common destination for hikers and mountain bikers. In autumn, the forest grows quieter and damper, without the crowds that overwhelm other, more famous areas.

Although it’s close to Barcelona, many end up deciding not to drive back the same day. At our hotel in Caldetas, it’s common to receive couples and cyclists coming straight from Montnegre. They arrive tired, with mud on their shoes, and only want a shower, a quiet dinner, and to avoid getting back on the motorway. Because going into the forest is one thing… returning to the highway is another.

La Fageda d’en Jordà is one of the most visited forests in autumn, and for good reason. The path is flat, accessible, and perfect for families or those who just want to stroll without much effort. In the heart of La Garrotxa, the beech forest offers marked trails and parking areas, although it’s best to arrive early to avoid queues and organised buses.

There’s no accommodation inside the forest, but around Olot and Santa Pau you’ll find affordable rural stays and hostels. It’s a great day plan, but if you’re thinking of doing several volcanic routes or visiting Santa Margarida and Croscat, staying nearby lets you make the most of the trip without rushing back home.

The Aran Valley is not a half-day excursion—it’s a proper escape. In autumn, the forests around Vielha fill with brown leaves, low fog, and that chill that hints at winter. This isn’t a place for a quick photo or a one-hour walk: it’s for hiking, sweating, and arriving hungry back in the village.

Many who travel here do so in groups: hiking clubs, mountain teams, or friends who want to get tired together and finish the day with a hot dinner. In our hotels in Vielha, it’s common to see boots by the entrance and backpacks resting at reception. No one asks for a spa or luxury—just heating, hot water, and silence to sleep before heading out again at dawn.

Montserrat is not the typical forest destination, but in autumn it becomes one of the most common weekend plans for those living in Barcelona. It’s that getaway many repeat every year: climb, walk, tire yourself out, and return more at peace than when you arrived. There are no red leaves like in a beech forest, but there are pine trails, rock, and silence.

Most arrive planning to return the same day, although those doing several routes or starting at dawn often prefer to sleep in Monistrol or nearby villages. They’re not looking for luxury. Just a mattress, some dinner, and no thoughts of the motorway back.

Poblet Forest is one of the best autumn plans in Tarragona. It doesn’t have the fame of Montseny nor the queues of La Fageda, and perhaps that’s why many prefer it. Here, the paths fill with leaves, moisture, and mushroom hunters who head out early and return with earth-stained hands. The routes are easy, and the silence is real.

Those who come here rarely stay just for the morning. Many continue toward Prades or Vimbodí and look for somewhere affordable to stay. It’s not a luxury trip; it’s a getaway to walk, eat bread with butifarra, and return home with a clearer mind.