With the arrival of autumn, Catalonia transforms, and one of the most breathtaking places to witness this burst of color is the beech forest of Santa Fe del Montseny. Located just over an hour’s drive from bustling Barcelona, this ancient woodland offers a unique escape into a world of tranquility and natural harmony. The forest is especially magical at dawn, when the first rays of sunlight pierce the dense canopy, turning tree trunks and fallen leaves into a living canvas. Strolling among centuries-old roots, beside murmuring streams, and along trails shrouded in morning mist, you feel time begin to slow down. In these moments, as light floods the forest, many describe the sensation as stepping inside a true “cathedral of light.” The air, cool and damp, heightens the feeling of being entirely removed from the rush of everyday life.
Santa Fe Forest is part of the Montseny Natural Park, which holds the status of a Biosphere Reserve. Its uniqueness lies in its location at the crossroads of Mediterranean and Atlantic climate zones. This proximity has created remarkable ecological diversity: within a single area, you can find oak groves, holm oak thickets, and beech forests—an exceptional rarity for the Iberian Peninsula. It’s a true natural laboratory, where each season paints its own distinctive landscapes and sustains extraordinary biodiversity, attracting both scientists and nature enthusiasts alike. The starting point for most trails is the Can Casades Information Center. Nearby, three giant sequoias tower above, planted at the beginning of the 20th century as a reminder of ambitious hotel projects from the past and the construction of the reservoir, which today mirrors the forest scenery.
The Santa Fe Reservoir, created in 1935 at the initiative of publisher Ramón de Montaner, has become one of the park’s most photogenic spots. The reflection of the forest in its calm waters—especially when autumn colors paint the treetops in shades of red, gold, and mossy green—attracts many visitors. Just a few minutes’ walk away stands the Santa Fe Hermitage, first mentioned in 1231. The chapel has preserved its medieval structure, with a simple nave and a small bell tower. From here starts the popular Empedrat de Morou trail, a circular route leading to a granite terrace. This viewpoint offers magnificent vistas of the Turo de l’Home and Les Agudes peaks. The route is easy and perfect for enjoying the panorama without tackling significant elevation gains.
Montseny is a true mosaic of colors, changing with altitude: pines and holm oaks at the base, oaks at mid-elevations, and beeches and firs higher up. This diversity makes every walk a chromatic journey. Autumn is considered the best time to visit the park, which offers trails for every preference—from easy family strolls to challenging routes for seasoned hikers. The park also harmoniously blends nature, gastronomy, and tradition. In the surrounding villages, such as Montseny, Viladrau, and Arbúcies, fairs and markets are held where mushrooms, chestnuts, and the local ratafia liqueur take center stage. In the restaurants, like La Fonda del Montseny, you can try seasonal dishes made from local products, including botifarra sausage with chestnuts or roasted lamb.
You can reach the Santa Fe del Montseny beech forest in about an hour from Barcelona via the C-17 towards Vic, then turning onto the BV-5114 towards Sant Celoni. The main hiking trails start at kilometer 21 of this road, near the L’Avet Blau restaurant. In autumn, the area can get crowded, so it’s best to visit on a weekday or use the Bus Parc public transport service, which runs between Sant Celoni and key points in the park. This natural haven, recognized as a world heritage site, is one of Catalonia’s greatest treasures. Every morning, when light filters through the leaves, the forest becomes a green temple—living up to all the glowing reviews about its beauty and tranquility.
