Discover Aiguafreda: Nature, Springs and Megalithic Monuments

The megalithic monuments of Aiguafreda comprise five monuments dating from 2500 to 2000 BC. At the Serrat dels Moros Dolmen (Serra de l'Arca I), there is a well-known 32-centimetre-long flint knife. This blade is considered one of the best-crafted and largest blades in Catalonia. The dolmen and the knife give the site's prehistoric heritage a particularly tangible name and a precise measure.

Culture

The Aiguafreda de Dalt monumental complex is designated as locally protected cultural heritage. It comprises a crypt, a church and a rectory. The complex also includes the cemetery area, a comunidor and the surrounding agricultural terraces. The various elements therefore extend from the sacred building into the cultural landscape around the site. If you explore the town centre on foot, a signposted walking route leads through the old town of Aiguafreda.

The chapel of Sant Salvador d'Avencó is located in the Vall d'Avencó. It is one of the two Romanesque chapels in the Vall d'Avencó. Sant Miquel de Canyelles is a Romanesque chapel in the Vall d'Avencó. On the night of Epiphany, Aiguafreda has a tradition in which children welcome the Three Kings with burning torches made from dried lavender. In the region, this lavender is called barballó. Thus, alongside the stone monuments, traditional festivities and a regional plant name also form part of the town's cultural character.

Nature

The Vall de Martinet lies north of Aiguafreda's town centre. The Vall d'Avencó lies south of the town centre. These two named landscape areas are therefore located in opposite directions from the town. Aiguafreda lies within the Montseny Natural Park. Large parts of the municipal area are covered by dense pine and holm oak forests. The town lies between Montseny Natural Park and the Cingles de Bertí PEIN area.

The streams and springs of Aiguafreda lead visitors to riverside vegetation and extensive poplar groves. Aiguafreda has around thirty springs, of which 21 have been identified. The Itinerari de Les Fonts d'Aiguafreda circular route leads to some of the municipality's best-known springs. Those who follow the watercourse and the springs encounter the riverside areas and poplar groves described above at the same time.

Trails

The GR-2 long-distance trail passes through Aiguafreda. From Aiguafreda, the GR-2 climbs into the foothills of Montseny. The megalithic monuments of Aiguafreda are best reached via the GR-2. The trail thus connects the town with the foothills of the natural park and with access to the prehistoric monuments.

Aiguafreda brings together, within a compact thematic area, prehistoric monuments, Romanesque chapels, protected cultural heritage, springs, streams and woodland areas. This picture is complemented by the signposted route through the old town, the circular spring route and the GR-2 long-distance trail.

Railway

Public passenger transport is available at Sant Martí de Centelles–Aiguafreda railway station. This service is provided by rail. The station is therefore part of the town's public transport infrastructure and complements the routes through the landscape and town centre described above.

A holiday apartment in Aiguafreda can serve as a starting point for further travel planning, while the specific features of the town—springs, trails, cultural heritage and rail—are considered separately.

Find more places to discover here: Cabrera De Mar, Castellví De La Marca, Olvan, Torelló, Sant Sadurní D'anoia, Capellades, Sant Martí Sesgueioles and Sant Vicenç de Castellet.

For the overarching travel overview: Barcelona.