Viladrau – Nature, Culture and Historic Routes

Viladrau lies in the contact zone between Montseny and Les Guilleries and is characterised by dense forests and abundant water. Viladrau has environmental, literary and historical circular routes.

Nature

The Sender del castanyer de les 9 branques (SL-C81) is a marked circular route that begins at Font del Sot de Can Rosell, 15 minutes from Plaça Major. It passes by well-known springs, through cool forests, to viewpoints over the northern side of Matagalls, as well as through fields and past old farmhouses, continuing to the Castanyer de les 9 Branques.

The Castanyer de les 9 branques is considered one of the most emblematic trees in Montseny. In the immediate surroundings of Viladrau, around Pont de Fàbregues on the Riera Major, there are rocky, sunny pools and small waterfalls where you can cool off in summer. Near the centre of Viladrau lies the natural spring Font d'en Miquel, in a shady circular square with long stone benches along the wall.

Hiking

The Camí de Matagalls (SL-C82) is a classic ascent along the northern side through the wooded areas of Matagalls to the summit, offering wide-ranging views over Montseny. It is marked, begins at Coll de Borderiol and is estimated to take 4.5 hours for the return journey from the starting point.

Culture and History

Espai Montseny offers an immersive experience centred on legends featuring a magical forest, water nymphs and the bandit Serrallonga. The park administration's information centre at Espai Montseny provides visitors with information about the park and Viladrau.

Joan Sala i Ferrer, known as Serrallonga, was born in 1594 at La Sala in Viladrau. The Església de Sant Martí has been documented as a parish church since 898 and was consecrated in 1082. It preserves two Romanesque round-arched arcades from the 12th century and has a Baroque façade from the 18th century.

La Pietat is a chapel integrated into the town centre, documented from 1603. Font de l'Oreneta was established in 1936 in honour of the poet Guerau de Liost, the pen name of Jaume Bofill i Mates. La Sala was converted into a domus in the 14th century and classified as a BCIN in 1949.

Espinzella is a fortified manor house that was converted into a domus in the 12th century. The Can Torra manor house was designed by the Modernisme architect Puig i Cadafalch.

Surroundings

In the immediate surroundings of Viladrau, the Sant Segimon sanctuary has been documented since 1290. The Erola hermitage has been documented there since 1571 and is located in a stand of century-old chestnut trees halfway to the Sant Segimon sanctuary.

In the immediate surroundings of Viladrau, Pont de la Noguerola is a medieval bridge with a low wheel guard for carriages. Until the new road was expanded around 1910, it formed part of the old royal road from Viladrau to Vic and Barcelona.

The Fira de la Castanya de Viladrau has been held since 1995 and combines culture, nature and the revival of the chestnut from Viladrau and Montseny. It includes tastings, guided chestnut walks, roasted chestnuts, workshops, exhibitions, music and cultural activities.

In the immediate surroundings of Viladrau, the Aplec de Sant Segimon was revived from 1 May 1960 onwards. It includes a communal breakfast, a mass, cultural events and a communal meal in Viladrau's main square.

In the immediate surroundings of Viladrau, the Aplec de l’Erola takes place on the last Sunday in May, with a mass, a communal meal and Sardana dancing. The Aplec de Matagalls takes place on the second Sunday in July; its usual main programme items include a mass at the summit, the singing of “Cant dels adéus”, the inauguration of a spring and Sardana dancing in Viladrau's main square.

Information

Bus Parc includes route 436 between Vic and Viladrau.

Other places in the same higher-level area are Argençola, Les Roquetes, Montclar, Sant Quirze Safaja, Esparreguera, Rupit, Berga and La Llagosta.

To the higher-level travel overview: Barcelona.