National park · Spain
Parc d'OlèrdolaParc Natural d'Olèrdola
Visit Parc d'Olèrdola: take the 6.5 km (4 mi) SL‑C 131 hike from the castle car park (about 2 h) in spring or autumn, or follow the GR‑92 long‑distance trail for a day‑trip; entry is free, but bring cash for parking and optional guide fees.Visit Parc d'Olèrdola: take the 4 mi (6.5 km) SL‑C 131 hike from the castle car park (about 2 h) in spring or autumn, or follow the GR‑92 long‑distance trail for a day‑trip; entry is free, but bring cash for parking and optional guide fees.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
1986
Best months
Mar–May, Sep–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
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- Official park size not published; estimate around 0.5 km² (check).
- Established
- 1986
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Vilafranca del Penedès
Parc d'Olèrdola offers a rocky plateau with panoramic views, marked local hikes, and year‑round climbing, all within easy reach of Barcelona.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1986.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 1986
Official park size not published; estimate around 0.5 km² (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Vilafranca del Penedès.
Why go
- A rocky plateau with panoramic views over the Penedès plain.
- Well‑marked local hikes like SL‑C 131 (6.5 km (4 mi)) and the GR‑92 long‑distance trail.Well‑marked local hikes like SL‑C 131 (4 mi (6.5 km)) and the GR‑92 long‑distance trail.
- Year‑round climbing on the Penya de l’Escofet walls.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanMild, low visitor numbers.
- FebCool, good for hiking.
- MarSpring bloom, comfortable temps.
- AprIdeal weather for walks.
- MayWarm but not hot, few crowds.
- JunHeat rises, some trail sections dry.
- JulHot, risk of fire.
- AugPeak summer heat.
- SepEarly autumn, pleasant temps.
- OctCool, dry, good for climbing.
- NovMild, fewer visitors.
- DecCool, occasional rain.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean reptiles (horseshoe snake, Iberian viper)Apr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Birds of open scrub and rocky habitatsMar–Jun, Sep–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Castell d'Olèrdola area | Visitor centre, parking, picnic area, start of SL‑C 131 hike. | Open; free entry. |
| Trail network | GR‑92 long‑distance path and local marked routes. | Open; some sections require a guide for caving. |
| Climbing zones | Penya de l’Escofet and Font de l’Ametlló cliffs. | Open year‑round; no permit needed. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates centred on the castle; other points approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | Free (check). |
| Parking at Castell d'Olèrdola | EUR 2 (≈ US$3) | vehicle | Approximate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Caving permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Camping
- Not allowed in the park.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use designated picnic areas.
- Caving
- Permit required; ask at the park office.
- Climbing
- Allowed year‑round; respect archaeological sites.
- Pets
- Leashed dogs only on marked paths.
Where to stay
Near the park
Vilanova i la Geltrú
Hotels, hostels and apartments 20 min by car.
Near the park
Vilafranca del Penedès
Budget hotels and B&Bs 15 min by bus.
Safety
Heat medium
Wildfire medium
Getting lost on caving routes high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Parking and visitor centre reachable by car; short walks to trailheads.
- Steep sections on SL‑C 131 not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked paths to protect fragile karst vegetation.
- Take all litter back; use refillable water bottles.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Parc d'Olèrdola?
Entry is free; you may need to pay a small parking fee (≈ 2 EUR).
What are the best hikes in Parc d'Olèrdola?
The 6.5 km SL‑C 131 loop from the castle car park and the GR‑92 segment crossing the park are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Parc d'Olèrdola?
Spring (March–May) and early autumn (September–October) offer mild weather and fewer crowds.
Do I need a permit for climbing or caving?
Climbing is allowed without a permit; caving requires a permit from the park office.
Where can I stay near the park?
Vilanova i la Geltrú and Vilafranca del Penedès have a range of hotels and B&Bs within 15–20 minutes by car.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Parc d'Olèrdola
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