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National park · Spain

Parc de la Serralada Litoral

Go for a half-day walk, not a full day: entry is free, park at Roca d'en Toni or Font Picant before 9:30 on weekends, and walk to a viewpoint or a dolmen; skip it if you only have one day in Barcelona.

Not field-verifiedChecked Sep 2026
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From where I am

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Area

7 km²

approximate

Established

1972

Best months

Mar–May, Oct

UNESCO

None

Rules in force · 9Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • Iberia ↗Plan meals on the Iberian clock: Spanish kitchens serve lunch from about 13:30–14:00 and dinner from 20:30–21:00; Portugal eats an hour or so earlier. Early evenings are for tapas or petiscos, not full meals.
  • Iberia ↗Inland Spain and Portugal (Seville, Córdoba, Madrid, the Alentejo) pass 40 °C in heatwaves from late June to August: sightsee before 11:00 and after 18:00, and keep July–August for the coasts and the green north.
  • Iberia ↗Andorra and Gibraltar have their own border and customs rules and are reached only through Spain (or France for Andorra); read their pages before adding them, especially if you hold a limited Schengen visa.
  • Spain ↗Spain is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
  • Spain ↗High-speed trains have airport-style baggage screening at the station and boarding gates that close a few minutes before departure: arrive early.
  • Spain ↗Carry your passport or ID: police may ask for it, and hotels must register every guest's document.
  • Spain ↗The Alhambra in Granada and the Sagrada Família in Barcelona sell timed tickets that sell out weeks ahead in season; book on the official sites before you fix your dates.

At a glance

Country
Spain
Area
7 km²
About 740 ha (7.4 km²) across the Maresme and Vallès Oriental counties; the boundary is a patchwork of 15 municipalities (check).
Established
1972
Best months
Mar–May, Oct
Permits
Not needed

Parc de la Serralada Litoral is a low, forested ridge between the Maresme coast and the Vallès plain, about 30–40 minutes by car or train from Barcelona. It is not a dramatic mountain park: the appeal is 95% oak and pine forest, a string of viewpoints over the sea, Iberian and megalithic remains, and free access with free car parks. There is no gate, no ticket and no shuttle, so the whole visit is a logistics question — which car park, which trail, which hour.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

  • No UNESCO listing; national park since 1972.

Size and age

7 km² · national park since 1972

About 740 ha (7.4 km²) across the Maresme and Vallès Oriental counties; the boundary is a patchwork of 15 municipalities (check).

Why go

  • Free entry and free car parks, with no booking and no gate.
  • Viewpoints over the Mediterranean, and on clear days Barcelona, from a ridge 30–40 minutes from the city.
  • A dense set of short trails: most walks are 1.5–4 hours, so it fits a half day.
  • Iberian settlements, dolmens and Romanesque chapels on the same paths.

When to go

12-month verdict
  1. JanGo
  2. FebGo
  3. MarBest
  4. AprBest
  5. MayBest
  6. JunCaution
  7. JulAvoid
  8. AugAvoid
  9. SepCaution
  10. OctBest
  11. NovGo
  12. DecGo
  • JanCool, often clear; mud after rain
  • FebMild; some drizzle
  • MarGreen, mild, quiet weekdays
  • AprBest all-round walking weather
  • MayWarm; go early on weekends
  • JunHot by midday; start before 8:00
  • Jul30s °C, little shade relief, fire risk
  • AugHottest and busiest; fire restrictions common
  • SepStill hot early; storms possible
  • OctDry, clear, good for viewpoints
  • NovMild; shorter daylight
  • DecCool and quiet

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year
Wildlife and nature calendar for Parc de la Serralada Litoral
WhatJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Mediterranean forest birds and butterfliesMar–Maynonoyesyesyesnonononononono
Wild boar (usually at dawn and dusk)All year · Common in the woods; keep food packed away and do not corner them.yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Spring wildflowers on the ridge pathsMar–Maynonoyesyesyesnonononononono
Fire-risk access closuresJun–Sep · In dry, windy or high-risk days the park tracks can be closed to vehicles and sometimes to walkers (check).nononononoyesyesyesyesnonono

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

How to get there

From Barcelona (Plaça de Catalunya)

Rodalies R1 or RG1 along the coast to a Maresme village, then a 20–40 min uphill walk to the nearest trailhead.

1–1.5 h

From Barcelona by car

C-32 or AP-7 to the Maresme or Vallès side, then a local road to a car park; the C-1415 (≈ US$1,700)c and BV-5106 (≈ US$6,000) cross the park.

30–45 min

From Mataró

Local road to Argentona or Cabrera de Mar, then uphill to a car park.

20–30 min

From Granollers

C-60 or local roads to La Roca del Vallès, then the BV-5106 (≈ US$6,000) towards Òrrius.

25–35 min

Zones and sectors

Zones of Parc de la Serralada Litoral
ZoneWhat is thereAccess
Maresme side (Cabrils, Vilassar de Dalt, Cabrera de Mar)The steepest slopes, the sea views and most of the short trails.Open; free car parks at Font Picant, Roca d'en Toni and Mirador de la Cornisa.
Central ridge (Sant Bartomeu de Cabanyes, Turó de Céllecs)The high line of the park with the Romanesque chapel and the Céllecs climbing walls.Open; reached on foot or by the BV-5106.
Vallès side (Vallromanes, Vilanova del Vallès, La Roca del Vallès)Gentler, drier slopes, dolmens and the Can Gurri and Castellruf prehistoric sites.Open; free parking at Plana del Mestre and Can Maimó.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation
Sketch map of 8 approximate points in Parc de la Serralada Litoral, north up12345678
Approximate positions across the ridge, for orientation only; the park has no single entrance.
  1. 1Creu de Can Boquet information point · Headquarters≈41.526, 2.341Staffed weekends 10:00–14:00.Map ↗
  2. 2Roca d'en Toni (Dolmen de Can Boquet) · Cave≈41.532, 2.342Megalith beside a free car park.Map ↗
  3. 3Mirador de la Cornisa · Viewpoint≈41.512, 2.324Sea and Barcelona views; free car park.Map ↗
  4. 4Sant Bartomeu de Cabanyes · Village≈41.562, 2.343Romanesque chapel on the ridge.Map ↗
  5. 5Turó de Céllecs · Summit≈41.557, 2.349Approximate; the high point of the park.Map ↗
  6. 6Castell de Burriac · Viewpoint≈41.537, 2.387Approximate; ruined castle above Cabrera de Mar.Map ↗
  7. 7Font Picant car park · Gate≈41.537, 2.382Free parking; start for Les Banyadores climbing.Map ↗
  8. 8Vallromanes · Town≈41.532, 2.298Vallès-side base near the Roca Foradada.Map ↗

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Top experiences

ViewpointsEasy2–3 hCreu de Can Boquet to Mirador de la CornisaStart at the information point, walk the ridge south to the Cornisa viewpoint; on clear days you can see Barcelona and the sea.
TrailsModerate2–3 hSant Bartomeu de Cabanyes to Turó de CéllecsShort climb from the 11th–13th century chapel to the park's high point, with views both to the sea and inland.
TrailsModerate2–3 hCabrera de Mar to Castell de BurriacUphill to the ruined castle that watches over the whole central Maresme; exposed, so avoid midday in summer.
CultureModerate3–4 hPrehistoric route (dolmens and Iberian sites)Links Roca d'en Toni (Dolmen de Can Boquet), the dolmens of Can Gol, Roca Foradada and the Iberian settlement of Burriac; navigation is fiddly, take a map.
ViewpointsEasy1.5–2 hCabrils to Creu de MontcabrerShort climb to the iron cross on the Montcabrer hill, with a wide sea view over the Maresme.
TrailsHardHalf dayLes Banyadores and Céllecs climbingSport routes from about 3b+ to 8a across several sectors; park at Font Picant for Les Banyadores.

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Entry fees and permits

EUR ranges · check
Fees for Parc de la Serralada Litoral
ItemRangePerNote
Park entryFreepersonNo ticket and no gate; the park is free to enter on foot, by bike or by car.
Parking (Roca d'en Toni, Font Picant, Plana del Mestre, Mirador de la Cornisa)FreecarFree, unstaffed and unlit; fills by mid-morning on weekends.
Rodalies train, Barcelona to the Maresme villagesEUR 2–5person2026 estimate for a single zone-fare ticket; buy at the station machine.
Guided walk or activityEUR 0–15personSome municipal and park-organised walks are free; paid ones are usually under €15 (check).

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Park entry no permit

No permit. Walk in from any village or drive to a free car park.

Information point at Creu de Can Boquet no permit

Staffed weekends 10:00–14:00; maps and trail advice, no ticket needed.

Climbing areas (Les Banyadores, Céllecs, Can Boquet) no permit

No permit for sport climbing, but check current fire-access closures before driving up (check).

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more
Fires and barbecues
Banned year-round outside signed picnic areas; summer restrictions tighten further.
Dogs
Allowed on most paths but must be kept under control; keep them away from wildlife and other walkers (check for seasonal bans).check
Mountain bikes
Allowed on tracks and bridleways, not on footpaths; give way to walkers and horses.
Wild camping
Not allowed anywhere in the park; sleep in the surrounding villages.
Litter and foraging
Carry out all rubbish; do not pick plants or disturb archaeological remains.

Where to stay

Near the park

Mataró

The largest town on the Maresme side, with the widest choice of hotels and direct Rodalies trains to Barcelona.

Near the park

Vilassar de Mar, Premià de Mar and Cabrils

Smaller coastal towns 10–20 min from the trailheads; good for an early start.

Near the park

Granollers and La Roca del Vallès

The Vallès side, convenient if you are driving from the north or from Girona.

Near the park

Barcelona

Doable as a day trip by train and taxi, but you lose the early-morning start.

Safety

Heat and exposure on the ridge medium

Start before 9:00 from June to September, carry 1.5–2 L of water per person and a hat; there is little shade on the upper paths.

Getting lost on the prehistoric and cross-park routes medium

Take an offline map; signposting at junctions is inconsistent and phone signal drops in the valleys.

Unpaved roads and cyclists medium

Drive the park tracks slowly; road cyclists use the crossing roads and appear fast around blind bends.

Wild boar and ticks low

Do not feed or approach boar; check for ticks after walking in tall grass in spring and summer.

Accessibility

  • The viewpoints at Mirador de la Cornisa and the Creu de Can Boquet information point are reachable by car with only a short walk.
  • The ridge trails are rough, rocky and steep in places; not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
  • The information point has step-free access from the adjacent car park (check).

Visiting lightly

  • Take the Rodalies train to a Maresme village and walk up instead of driving; the park has no public transport inside it.
  • Stay on marked tracks — the forest regenerates slowly and off-path walking causes erosion on these slopes.
  • Do not leave food waste; it pulls wild boar towards paths and car parks.
  • In summer, respect fire-access closures rather than driving around barriers.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Parc de la Serralada Litoral?

Nothing. There is no gate and no ticket — entry on foot, by bike or by car is free, and the car parks at Roca d'en Toni, Font Picant, Plana del Mestre and Mirador de la Cornisa are free too. Your only real cost is getting there: a Rodalies train from Barcelona is roughly €2–5 (2026 estimate), and parking fills by mid-morning at weekends.

What are the best hikes in Parc de la Serralada Litoral?

For a first visit, the Creu de Can Boquet to Mirador de la Cornisa ridge walk (2–3 h, easy) gives the best sea views for the least effort. Sant Bartomeu de Cabanyes up to Turó de Céllecs (2–3 h, moderate) is the high point of the park. Cabrera de Mar to Castell de Burriac (2–3 h) adds a ruined castle. If you want the archaeology, the prehistoric route linking Roca d'en Toni, the Can Gol dolmens and the Burriac Iberian settlement takes 3–4 h and needs a map.

When is the best time to visit Parc de la Serralada Litoral?

March to May and October are the best months: mild temperatures, green or clear forest and manageable crowds. June and September are workable if you start before 8:00–9:00. July and August are hot — highs in the 30s °C — and fire-risk rules can close tracks to vehicles, so treat them as months to avoid unless you are walking at dawn.

Do I need a car to visit the park?

It helps but is not essential. Rodalies R1 and RG1 stop at the Maresme villages on the south side and R2N at the north side, and from there it is a 20–40 minute uphill walk to the nearest trailhead. A car gives you access to the free car parks on the ridge and to the Vallès side, which has no useful train link.

Is Parc de la Serralada Litoral worth it compared with Montseny or Montserrat?

It is a different trip. Montseny and Montserrat are bigger, higher and more dramatic, and both need a full day. The Serralada Litoral is a half-day forest and ridge walk close to Barcelona with free access — good when you have a spare morning, not a substitute for the bigger parks.

Can you wild camp or sleep inside the park?

No. Wild camping is not allowed anywhere in the park. Stay in Mataró, Vilassar de Mar, Premià de Mar, Cabrils or Granollers, all within 10–30 minutes of a trailhead.

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