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8 ideas, picked for these days
Àlex · CC BY 3.0An autumn weekend in the Montseny: guided mushroom picking and beech forests, an hour from Barcelona
From mid-October to mid-November the Santa Fe beech wood turns copper, and All Saints usually falls at the best moment. On autumn weekends and holidays access is regulated: go up on the Bus Parc from Sant Celoni or very early.
A night in the Montsec from Barcelona: the Parc Astronòmic, a Starlight masia and the Congost de Mont-rebei
With the clock change it gets dark before six and the Astronomical Park sessions start early, so you dine without a late night. La Masieta and its car park open on holidays until the first half of December, with short hours: the gorge, in the morning.
Two nights at Terra Dominicata, the winery hotel beside the Escaladei charterhouse, with tastings across the Priorat
After the harvest the Priorat vines turn red and in November the olive picking begins: the La Bisbal cooperative mill shows its oil in season. The Escaladei charterhouse opens on holidays from 10:00 to 15:00.
A thermal night in Caldes de Montbui, half an hour from Barcelona
With the first November cold Caldes is in its season: the Font del Lleó gives off steam at 74 °C and the thermal baths are all the more welcome. It is 35 minutes from Barcelona, so the getaway holds up even if the 1st is spent with family.
Montseny: Gothic castle and chestnuts
In November Montsoriu castle adds a third visiting slot at 11:30, and Viladrau is the Montseny's chestnut village: the Chestnut Fair is usually held on the last weekend of October, and the chestnut stays on the menus.
Montseny: beech forest, summit and chestnuts
The climb from the Santa Fe beech wood to les Agudes is done at its best, with the forest golden between mid-October and mid-November. It takes five hours: set off early, as in November it gets dark early and it is cold at the summit.
Penedès: cava and a table among the vines
After the harvest the Penedès is quiet and the rust-coloured vines are better seen from the table than in summer. With the R4 you reach Sant Sadurní by train, and it is a short plan for the day after the castanyada.
Rupit: waterfall and inn
The autumn rains bring water back to the Salt de Sallent, which in summer runs almost dry, and the walk along the stream is done with leaves on the ground. The 1930 inn is closed on Wednesdays; on a long weekend, book and arrive before eleven.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Is 1 November a holiday in Catalonia?
Yes, every year. All Saints is in the Catalan calendar, and the day before, 31 October, the castanyada is celebrated.
When is the Santa Fe beech wood golden?
From mid-October to mid-November, depending on the year. On the November long weekend it is usually at its best.
Can you go up to Santa Fe without a car?
Yes, at weekends, on the Bus Parc 573 from Sant Celoni station, on the R2 Nord. If the holiday falls midweek, check the timetable.
Are there mushroom outings in November?
Yes, some autumn Sundays the Montseny park guides run outings with registration; the dates come out each year in their programme.