From Sant Cugat del Vallès to the Gausac Valley or Sant Medir

Ideal for families, with shade and pleasant views.

The route runs through the Sant Medir or Gausac valley, situated between Tibidabo and Sant Cugat del Vallès. Passing through pine forests, holm oaks and lush riverside vegetation, the trail offers a chance to take in some of the best-preserved areas of the Serra de Collserola Natural Park.

The ancient chapels of Sant Adjutori and Sant Medir and the spectacular monastery of Sant Cugat—with its monumental museum, cloister and church—will add a cultural dimension to the excursion.

The route is ideal for mountain bikes. Up until near Sant Medir, it follows the GR 6 footpath (white and red trail markers). Waymarked route. This route can also be completed on a mountain bike.

The walk begins in Plaça Octavià in Sant Cugat del Vallès, right in front of the city's monastery. Sant Cugat can be reached via lines S2, S1, S5 and S55 of the FFCC de la Generalitat de Catalunya, lines R4 and R8 of RENFE Rodalies de Catalunya, via the C-16 motorway (Túnels de Vallvidrera) and the B-30 motorway, as well as the BP-1417 (L'Arrabassada) and BV-1462 roads.

0.00 km (126 m). Plaça Octavià in Sant Cugat del Vallès.

Set off through the grounds of the monastery's walled enclosure, keeping it on your left as you head east until you emerge onto the wide Avinguda de Francesc Macià (0.20 km). Turn right here, going downhill and following the cycle lane to the tree-lined Rambla del Celler (0.36 km). Turn left here, again following the cycle lane. The rambla, which later becomes Carrer Puig i Cadafalch, leads to the Cerdanyola road / Avinguda de les Corts Catalanes (1.22 km). Cross it at the pedestrian crossing and, following the cycle lane on the opposite verge, head right towards the roundabout at Plaça Rotary Internacional (1.47 km; there is a drinking fountain here), where the track begins.

Go past a vehicle barrier and head down to the left along the track towards Can Borrell and Sant Medir. Cross the ford over the Sant Medir stream (which does not always flow) and continue along the wide track heading south-east. You will soon enter the boundary of the Serra de Collserola Natural Park. To the right, you can make out the magnificent medieval farmhouse of Torre Negra.

2.06 km (110 m), 30 mins.

Pass by the Pi d'en Xandri, a monumental pine tree over 200 years old. The track zigzags with relatively gentle climbs. You will come out alongside the fields of Can Borrell, which can be seen in the distance. Ignore a left turn, make a short climb, and you will arrive at Can Borrell.

3.82 km (152 m), 55 mins. Can Borrell.

Go round the farmhouse (keeping it on your left), ignore a right turn, and behind the house, past a drinking fountain, take the track marked with GR 6 signs that leads into a dense holm oak forest. Ignore a turn to the right that leads to the Can Borrell reservoir and go down to the Sant Medir stream, crossing it via a bridge. Continue south, following the stream. A little further on, leave the main track temporarily and take a left turn crossing the stream; after 150 m, you will reach the chapel of Sant Adjutori and the remains of an Iberian kiln.

This tiny, circular chapel dates back to the late 10th century and once housed a Romanesque carving—the Verge del Bosc (Our Lady of the Forest)—which is now kept in the monastery of Sant Cugat del Vallès.

Trace your steps back to the previous junction and continue left along the main path, which climbs gently up the valley, crossing the stream five times. After crossing it for the fifth time, ignore the GR 6 trail on your left (which climbs towards the L'Arrabassada road and the Font Groga Nature Reserve) and a turn on your right leading to the Can Gener farmhouse. Continue along the main track for the final climb.

6.19 km (223 m), 1 hr 45 mins.

You will finally reach the chapel of Sant Medir, preceded by a drinking fountain. The chapel, of Romanesque origin, hosts a traditional gathering for people from both the Vallès region and Barcelona every 3rd March.