Campins: Montseny hikes and cultural history

The Camí antic de Santa Fe begins in the centre of Campins. The path runs parallel to the Riera de Campins and then continues into the municipal area of Gualba; its first section follows the GR-5. A signposted circular hike to Campins passes the cement kilns.

Other destinations in the same broader area: L'Alt Penedès, Mongat, Vallcebre, Capellades, Tordera, Pontóns, Talamanca and Sant Feliu De Codines.

Culture and history

The church of Sant Joan de Campins was already documented as the parish church of the town in 1231. The building, which is medieval in origin, preserves remains of a Romanesque church and was extended and remodelled between the 16th and 19th centuries. In the church’s forecourt is the Romanesque baptismal font, an immersion baptismal font.

The Forn de Can Garrell is a circular lime kiln dug into the natural ground. Its firing chamber is approximately 3 metres wide and 2.5 metres deep and is partially covered with sediment. At Can Pitarra, you can read beneath the farmstead’s centuries-old holm oak, beside a table made from a mill wheel. Can Pitarra is associated with Frederic Soler: on 21 April 1886, he bought the farmstead known as Can Cullell.

Nature by the water and in Montseny

The Riera de Campins crosses the municipal area from north to south and runs alongside the town centre. Characteristic riverside vegetation with alders, willows, poplars, black poplars, ash trees and elder trees has been preserved along the river. Fonts Vives is a natural spring at the Sot del Purgatori with no associated structures; it is most clearly visible in summer.

The Parc Natural del Montseny lies in the northern part of the municipal area of Campins. 34% of the municipal area belongs to the PEIN and Natura 2000 area of the Massís del Montseny.

Hikes

The Campins–Sant Cristòfol hike is part of the GR-5 and runs through the Parc Natural del Montseny. It is 9.8 kilometres long. On this hike, you can experience a cork oak forest and hear the sound of the water of the Sot del Purgatori.

In its section through the lower Montseny and the plain from Sant Celoni to Vic, El Camí passes through 13 municipalities, including Campins. For hikes, it is advisable to check the current trail conditions and route before setting out, especially when individual sections pass through several municipalities. For the festivals mentioned, the current event dates should be checked before travelling, as the August weekend and the Sunday in May determine the time frame.

Festivals and local traditions

The Festa Major de Campins takes place every year on the last weekend of August. The Aplec de Sant Guillem is celebrated every year on the second Sunday in May. After the procession, participants are offered or given Sardana dances, as well as Coca, sweet wine and honey.

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