The Fondo de Can Rossell cuts about three metres into the ground. Trails, historic buildings, nature-related attractions and local festivals offer different ways to explore Arenys de Munt. When planning your visit, it is worth distinguishing between the different types of trails and the dates of events.
Landscape and trails
Arenys de Munt is shaped by the last foothills of the coastal range before it meets the sea; flat areas are rare. La Riera is a sandy riverbed and a sand dike that forms the backbone of the town and is connected to a network of streams and torrents. This landscape provides the setting for trails of varying lengths.
The Fondo de Can Rossell climbs from Panagall to Collsacreu in about 15 minutes. A historic publication, Walks around Arenys de Munt, presents 36 walking routes through the natural surroundings. Exploring the natural surroundings by bicycle is also mentioned. The time given for the Fondo refers to the described climb; it should not be confused with the duration of a self-guided route.
Churches, gardens and local history
The church of Sant MartĂ d’Arenys was built in the 16th century. Its Late Gothic style includes valuable Renaissance elements. The Castell de Can JalpĂ has a different history: a nobleman transformed the old manor house into a medieval castle. The castle and gardens were created between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. In the gardens, Doña SofĂa de Algorta y de Albaroa, the wife of Don August BorrĂ s-JalpĂ de Mercader, planted a sapling of the Arbre de Gernika at the end of the 19th century.
The Santuari de Lourdes is near the hamlet of Sobirans. It was built in 1924 as a replica of the Grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes, France. Its grounds include a recreation area and places to eat outdoors. A visit to this site thus combines a specific construction date and a special connection to Lourdes in France with surroundings that are also described as a place to take a break outdoors.
Nature exhibits in Can JalpĂ
The permanent exhibition of the Jordi Puigduvà Collection at the Can Jalpà centre gives an impression of the representative bird species of the Montnegre i el Corredor mountain range and the plain of the Riera d’Arenys. The collection includes 150 nests and 1,500 eggs from different species. It draws attention not only to the landscape, but also to the diversity of birdlife associated with the mountain range and the plain.
La Central in Can JalpĂ provides information about the park, signposted self-guided trails, talks and exhibitions. The offerings are clearly distinct: those interested in a route can find information there about trails without a guide, while those wishing to learn more about nature can turn to the talks and exhibitions. The signposted trails and the exhibition are separate offerings, not a statement that they form a single route.
Traditions and dates
The tradition of bobbin lace in Arenys de Munt has been documented since at least 1698. The Trobada de Puntaires takes place every year on the afternoon of 24 June in Plaça de l’Església. If you choose this event as a reason to travel, check the programme for the year of your visit. It is also worth checking the details for the relevant edition of La Marxa Popular Termes d’Arenys de Munt: it takes place on the first Sunday in October and is divided into three events; confirm the current date before making plans.
Other traditions are spread throughout the year: Nit de Naps i Cols takes place on the night of Epiphany, and El Remei is Arenys de Munt’s spring festival. The Pessebre Monumental is part of the Christmas tradition and is currently housed inside the Masia de Can Borrell. These customs give your stay a cultural focus, while the trails and exhibitions offer other ways to discover the town.
A self-guided family route
The route Discover Arenys de Munt with Don Augusto combines heritage, history and play in a family experience. It starts at La Central in Can JalpĂ, ends at the Masia de Can Borrell and takes about 90 minutes. Its endpoints and approximate duration distinguish this route from the roughly 15-minute climb along the Fondo de Can Rossell: the two time estimates refer to different trail offerings and should not be treated as equivalent outings.
Discover more destinations: Calders, Sant Marçal, La Palma De Cervelló, Gualba, Vallcebre, Castellvà De La Marca, Olèrdola, Teià .
For the broader travel overview: Barcelona.
