In the county of Anoia, there are all kinds of surprises for little explorers to discover. Starting from the village of Sant Martí de Tous, there is a route that climbs up to the Sant Martí de Sentfores Chapel, before heading back down to L’Engorjat de la Fou, a shady, humid spot in the middle of the woods where, after the rain, a small waterfall and a natural pool form.

Not far from this fairy tale setting, also in the county of Anoia, we find Claramunt Castle, a medieval fortress sitting on top of a 461-metre-high hill. A 30-minute walking route takes you up to the castle from the village of Pobla de Claramunt, taking you through the Muntanya dels Nens (Kids’ Mountain), an area offering a range of activities for children, including observing, playing, exploring, climbing, shouting and flying kites through the sky.

Still in Anoia, to discover the secrets of the starry sky and find out all about the planets and constellations, an unbeatable option is the Pujalt Observatory, a prime spot in an area with no light pollution, where visitors of all ages can take part in regular meteorology and astronomy workshops and visits.

Leaving Anoia, we head into the county of Bages, where the highlight for families is the Montserrat Mountain Nature Park, a place full of surprises in terms of landscapes of activities. There are plenty of walking routes that let you marvel at the geological wonders of the massif, many of which are suitable for children.

One easy excursion that lets you see the strange rock forms and unleashes children’s imaginations starts from the top station of the Sant Joan Funicular Railway. To get there, take the funicular train, which climbs through the Taràntules Plain, up to an altitude of 1,000 metres, where we find the Nature Classroom, a learning space where you can find out all about the history of the mountain and its geological features, as well the local flora, fauna and climate characteristics. This is the starting point for a number of different walking routes. You can head down to the Monastery and marvel at the view of the different slopes of the mountain. When you get down there, you can take the opportunity to taste the typical coca sugared bread or Montserrat’s acclaimed mató fresh cheese.

Don’t miss it! History of the La Sèquia canal

At the end of the Ignatian Way, we come to Manresa, a city with loads of options for family activities. One of the most attractive spots is the city’s La Sèquia Park, a green space with a large lake, as many as twenty different species of trees, ducks and other water birds. Moreover, families can enjoy themselves at the different play areas and the visitor centre, where they can discover the history of the La Sèquia canal, which brings water here all the way from the Llobregat River. A footpath runs along the canal, which is perfect for a lovely walk or bike ride.