Top 20 Natural Monuments around Valles Oriental
Best natural monuments around Valles Oriental offer a diverse landscape characterized by geological formations, varied ecosystems, and historical sites. The region features impressive cliffs, mountain ranges, and valleys, shaped by natural processes. It encompasses significant protected areas like Montseny Natural Park and the Cingles de Bertí, providing a blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. These areas are known for their ecological diversity and opportunities for outdoor exploration.
Best natural monuments around Valles Oriental
- The most popular natural monuments is Matagalls (1697 m), a summit that is an iconic hiking mountain in Catalonia. Its summit offers extensive views and is a well-known destination within the Montseny massif.
- Another must-see spot is Turó de l'Home (Man's Hill), a summit and the highest mountain in the Montseny massif. Visitors can expect spectacular views from its peak, which stands at 1705.8 meters.
- Visitors also love Sant Miquel del Fai Monastery and Waterfall, a historical site and natural monument. This location combines natural beauty with cultural heritage, featuring a monastery built into a cave and a prominent waterfall.
- Valles Oriental is known for its mountains, waterfalls, and protected natural areas. The region offers a variety of natural monuments to see and explore, from high peaks to unique geological formations and historical sites.
- The natural monuments around Valles Oriental are appreciated by the komoot community, with 129 highlights, 167 photos, and 212 upvotes.
Last updated: August 30, 2026
Matagalls (1697 m)
Highlight • Summit
Its summit can be reached by several routes, all with their own charm. The easy access of del Coll Formic means that there is currently a considerable flood of visitors of all kinds who degrade the environment in a worrying way.
It was the starting point of the legendary resistance march "Matagalls - Montserrat" created in 1972 by the Gràcia Hiking Center but, due to the environmental impact around this peak, since 1998 the start has been made at Coll Formic to move from Brull to 2015.
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Vallforners Reservoir
Highlight • Lake
It is located in the Montseny massif, between the Ombradors and Palestrins mountains. Downstream is the town of Cánoves. Upstream, the La Calma plain, in the Montseny natural park. The culminating point of the valley is the Puig de Sui, with 1322 m of altitude.
The reservoir belongs to the municipality of Cánoves, in the Vallés Oriental region. It was built between 1985 and 1989 and its special feature is the fact that it was the first reservoir in Catalonia with a stone dam and compacted earth. It has a width of 10 m at the crest, with an impermeable clay core. The dam has been used to raise a small hill on which trees have been planted.
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Turó de l'Home (Man's Hill)
Highlight • Summit
its spectacular views will fill your senses with an indescribable magic.
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Sant Miquel del Fai Road
Highlight • Cycleway
If you feel for some steep ramps, you can continue up the small road. It looks bad at first, but it is only the first few hundred meters with rocks and bad surface. After that, it turns into a narrow but fine road.
Watch out for cars in the corners though. There is not a lot of space.
In the end, the road connects back to the main road, where you can ride back down to the village for a coffee or bocadillo. Its a really nice loop.
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Can Gurguí Spring
Highlight • Natural Monument
Around the fountain there are stone benches and a round table. For the gloomy surroundings, the freshness of the water and the ease of access, it is one of the most visited sources in the Parc de la Serralada Litoral. In front of the fountain and on the other side of the track, there are a couple of poplars and a lush stream full of plane trees. Behind, there is a thick oak forest. Nearby is Can Gurguí, a former convent and now a restaurant.
A stone front from 1899 supports the sandstone margin and supports the metal door of the mouth of the mine. The wide spout comes out from under the door and the water that flows is considered sanitary to drink.
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Sant Miquel del Fai Monastery and Salt de l'Aigua Waterfall
Highlight • Religious Site
When you access the natural area, everything captures the senses. The monastery of Sant Miquel del Fai hangs almost from the cliff of the mountain at the top, presiding over a space where rock and water roam free. The route of the monastery of Sant Miquel del Fai is a spectacular walk, which can be done on foot or by car to reach the historic site. The visit to the church is paid, since the enclosure has owners and is private property. But paying them is worth it.
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Les Agudes
Highlight • Summit
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Gallecs Rural Area
Highlight (Segment) • Natural
The Espai Rural Gallecs promotes an agricultural model based on the sustainability of the territory at the environmental level but also economic as it works together with other agents in the territory to promote local products and share a common goal: to preserve the natural heritage, landscape and also , cultural.
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Les Llobateres Bird Observatory
Highlight • Viewpoint
The Llobateres wetland is the result of the operation and restoration of a gravel pit located within the municipality of Sant Celoni. This natural space has created an exceptional riverside landscape and an interesting observation point for flora and fauna of aquatic environments in the Tordera alluvial plain.
The vegetation on the banks of the Llobateres is made up of tree formations of willows, cattails, ash trees, elms and alder trees. There are also helophytic communities such as bogar and reed beds. The presence of a wetland of this size allows many water birds, such as the mallard duck, the kingfisher, the coot or the moorhen, among others, to find favorable habitats to feed. there
Among them we can find the sable, a species considered vulnerable as a result of the destruction of spaces linked to bodies of water. In space
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Dolmen de Pedra Gentil
Highlight • Historical Site
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Tips from the Community
A real discovery! Superb views, decent asphalt and virtually no cars.
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Real nice, shame it's only about 2 km but also a shame there aren't more such roads in the area. Go when there's no racing or practice sessions at the nearby Montmeló circuit!
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Hape Kerkeling, a well-known entertainer in the German-speaking world, wrote down some thoughts about a mystical experience (encounter with God) while traveling through Spain, which I would also like to offer to the viewer of this small sacred monument on the Matagalls: "To encounter God, one must first extend an invitation to him, for he will not come uninvited. It is also a form of good manners. We have free choice. He builds an individual relationship with each person. Only someone who truly loves is capable of this." (Hape Kerkeling in "Ich bin dann mal weg")
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A fountain that invites you to linger.
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They've now built a staircase to access the Dolmen... With this staircase, just a few meters long... It seems they'll save the site from erosion... Sometimes the conservation and environmental councils are pitiful... It seems the only ones degrading the paths... are hikers and bikers... When we're fed up with seeing how the water destroys the paths to the point where we can't pass... 🙃
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After the restoration process of this space where sand and gravel were extracted... this large hollow remained where water now naturally collects and has formed this magnificent place that shelters a good number of birds and other species. Both migratory and native.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What unique geological features can I explore in the natural monuments around Vallès Oriental?
The region is rich in geological wonders. You can explore the impressive cliffs and caves of the Cingles de Bertí, particularly at Sant Miquel del Fai Monastery and Waterfall, where water has sculpted unique formations. The Montseny massif also features rugged mountains and valleys carved by streams.
Are there historical sites integrated within the natural monuments?
Yes, several natural monuments also boast significant historical heritage. At Sant Miquel del Fai Monastery and Waterfall, you can find a monastery built into a cave, alongside a Romanesque church. The Montseny Natural Park contains Romanesque churches, Iberian settlements, and medieval castles. Additionally, you can visit the ancient megalithic structure of Dolmen de Pedra Gentil.
What are some family-friendly natural monuments to visit?
For families, the Vallforners Reservoir offers a pleasant setting within the Montseny massif. The Gallecs Rural Area is also noted as family-friendly, providing open spaces for leisure. The Les Llobateres Bird Observatory is wheelchair accessible and suitable for families interested in nature observation.
Where can I find impressive viewpoints or panoramic vistas?
Many natural monuments offer spectacular views. Matagalls (1697 m) and Turó de l'Home (Man's Hill), both summits in the Montseny massif, provide extensive panoramic views. Les Agudes also offers a rewarding view from its peak. The Sant Miquel del Fai Road and the monastery site itself offer stunning perspectives of the gorge and waterfall.
What outdoor activities can I do near these natural monuments?
The region is excellent for outdoor activities. You can find numerous running trails, such as the challenging PR-C 208 Santa Fe - Turó de l'Home - Les Agudes Trail, or easier routes like the Santa Maria de Caldes de Montbui – Circular Route. For road cycling, consider the Collformic and Santa Fe del Montseny Loop or the Sant Miquel del Fai Valley Loop. There are also touring bicycle routes like the Pla de la Calma and Vallforners Reservoir Loop. You can find more details on these activities in the Running Trails, Road Cycling Routes, and Cycling around Valles Oriental guides.
Where can I observe wildlife in the natural monuments of Vallès Oriental?
The Montseny Natural Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is home to diverse fauna, including the endemic Montseny newt, shrews, badgers, and wild boars. For birdwatching, the Les Llobateres Bird Observatory is an excellent spot, as the Parc de la Serralada de Marina also serves as a vital migratory route for birds.
Are there any significant waterfalls to visit?
Absolutely. The most prominent is the Tenes waterfall at Sant Miquel del Fai Monastery and Waterfall. This spectacular 100-meter-high waterfall allows visitors to even walk behind it for an immersive experience, especially impressive after rainfall.
What is the best time of year to visit the natural monuments?
The natural monuments in Vallès Oriental can be enjoyed year-round, but spring and autumn generally offer the most pleasant weather for hiking and outdoor activities, with lush greenery in spring and vibrant colors in autumn. Summer can be warm, especially at lower altitudes, while winter offers a different charm, particularly in the higher elevations of Montseny, though some routes might require appropriate gear.
What kind of natural vegetation can I expect to see?
The region showcases a wide variety of vegetation. Montseny Natural Park features a mosaic of Mediterranean and Central European landscapes, including holm oaks, cork oaks, pine forests, beech, fir, and chestnut trees. The Cingles de Bertí area has rupicolous plants adapted to rocky environments, while the Parc de la Serralada de Marina is characterized by Mediterranean forests of oak and pine.
Are there any natural springs or reservoirs suitable for a visit?
Yes, you can visit the Can Gurguí Spring, a natural monument offering a tranquil spot. The Vallforners Reservoir, located in the Montseny massif, is another notable water body, known for being Catalonia's first reservoir with a stone and compacted earth dam.
What makes the Montseny Natural Park a special destination?
Montseny Natural Park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, renowned for its exceptional ecological diversity and striking landscapes. It encompasses three major mountain ranges, including Turó de l'Home, Les Agudes, and Matagalls. Its varied terrain, from Mediterranean to Central European ecosystems, makes it a treasure for nature lovers, offering extensive hiking trails, hidden waterfalls, and panoramic viewpoints.
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