Castellolí: Caves, Castle Ruins and Hiking Trails

A route through the municipality of Castellolí leads to the Coves de Can Llucià and the Font del Ferro. A family route through the municipality also leads to these two destinations.

Nature

Els Pèlags is a small natural area on the Riera de Castellolí with three waterfalls. The area has ecological and geological value; rocky, wooded, agricultural and water-dominated habitats meet there.

The Coves de Can Llucià are labyrinthine caves in Eocene limestone with several galleries and a total circuit of approximately 450 metres. Ceramic finds from the caves document human settlement during the Early Epicardial Neolithic period from 4200 to 3800 BC.

History and Buildings

The Església Vella de Sant Vicenç is the ruin of an 18th-century Baroque church. Its single-nave floor plan, transept and square-plan bell tower define the surviving complex.

The Castell de Castellolí has been documented in records since at least the mid-10th century. The castle is built into the contours of the rock on two levels; the upper level contains a tower and several building sections, including a large cistern.

The Romanesque church of Sant Vicenç is located in the lower part of the Castell de Castellolí, with a façade featuring buttresses, pilasters and Lombard arches.

The ruins of Castellolí form part of the Ruta dels Castells de Frontera de l’Anoia, which can be travelled by car or mountain bike. The ruins of Castell d’Aulí, dating from the 10th to the 12th century, are also part of this route, which can be travelled by car or mountain bike.

Trails and Activities

In Castellolí, the Camí Ignasià and the Camí de Sant Jaume follow the same route. The Igualada–Montserrat stage of the Camí Ignasià passes through Castellolí and is approximately 27 kilometres long.

The blue circular route, Itinerari Blau, Cal Tardà, is approximately 4.8 kilometres long and takes about three hours on foot. The Tuga Trail includes a 19-kilometre race, the 11-kilometre Tuga Half and the Tuga Walk, also 11 kilometres long, as a popular hike.

The off-road area of Kini MotorPark has a 1,600-metre track for free practice and off-road driving. At Kini MotorPark, speed enthusiasts can book track driving through an organiser to experience something similar to professional drivers.

Pilgrims can have their pilgrim passport stamped and gain access to La Rectoria through the town hall, Bar La Brillante, Cafeteria Cal Forner, Restaurant Cal Betes or Restaurant Cal Mao.

Festivals and Local Traditions

The Festa Major d'hivern, also known as the Festa de Sant Vicenç, takes place annually around 22 January. Its programme includes, among other things, a solemn mass, talks, concerts, a treasure hunt, a cooking competition, sports activities, children's shows and theatre.

The Tuga Trail reached its 15th edition and was organised by Tuga Active Wear, the mountain-running section of the Club Excursionista UECANOIA and the municipality of Castellolí.

Ratafira is a recurring event in Castellolí centred on ratafia; the third edition took place on 6 June at Plaça de les Escoles. The Ratafira programme included a workshop on making homemade ratafia.

The Jardí de la Ratafia, initiated by two residents of the municipality, contains approximately 40 different plant species, marked with explanatory signs.

Other Places

Other destinations available include Castellar del Vallès, Caldes D'estrac, Arenys De Munt, Castellar Del Riu, Sabadell, Les Fonts, Vilanova I La Geltrú and Talamanca.

For the overarching travel overview: Barcelona.