Getaway to Vallès Occidental: Two exploratory routes

The first day takes you to Palau-solità i Plegamans, which used to be two separate parishes and not so long ago was called Palau de Plegamans, a name that became widely known thanks to a television programme called 'Filiprim'. (The village now has a street named after the show!) But enough about TV because you're here to enjoy the natural surroundings, specifically the area around the Riera del Caldes.

The recommended starting point for this excursion is the Espai Jove l’Escorxador (Passeig de la Carrerada, 57). From here, you can follow an easy, paved path and admire the riverside fauna and flora. As mentioned, you can either go on foot or by bike: the choice is yours. If the heat gets to you or your legs are weary (or both), you can rest on benches along the path and read information panels to help you learn about your surroundings. If you're lucky, you might be able to spot a grey heron, an egret, a kingfisher or a mallard, among other birds.

Your destination is the park belonging to the Hostal del Fum. This large green space spans 35,000km2, and features autochthonous vegetation and several paths to explore. If you want to see the park in a fun way without tiring yourself out too much, the Tren de Palau is a small train that runs around a 3km track, providing the perfect end to this route. Come lunchtime, the park is a wonderful setting for a picnic, with wooden tables and benches as well as toilet facilities.

The second adventure explores the area surrounding Matadepera. This is a circular itinerary and, while it's not particularly difficult, it is slightly more complicated than the first route, as it covers 12 kilometres and leads you into the mountains, with all the ups and downs that involves. So, it’s time to don some comfortable shoes, put on your sun cream, fill your flasks with cool water, protect your head from the sun, and you're off!

On this route you'll discover several typical Catalan country houses ('masies') and some of the other surprises found east of the town. You'll start from the Plaça de Sant Jordi in Matadepera and head in the direction of the Font de la Tartana. Soon you pass by the Mas de Can Gorina and then continue toward a Roman site and the Can Solà de Racó masia. Once you reach the Font de la Tartana, take the path to Can Torres, where you go down the trail toward the Collet de Cabrafiga and then to the Collet dels Forns. Next the path climbs up to the Rossos and Mont-rodon hills before heading back down to Matadepera, passing the Font del Corraló and Can Vinyers. This trail is ideal for fans of mountain biking.

Once back in the town, if you still have time and energy to spare, take a stroll around the streets or enjoy some of the other attractions, such as the Municipal Golf Course at the foot of the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac Natural Park. They offer various beginner classes for those new to the sport, and one Sunday each month there's an open day which includes a free group class.