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7 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
At the end of October and start of November the Santa Fe beech wood is in its copper, and the park schedules guided mushroom Sundays in October and November. See whether one falls on your long weekend and sign up beforehand: places are few.
A getaway to Besalú and the volcanic Garrotxa, with a balloon flight
All Saints coincides with the best colour of the Garrotxa's volcanic forests, and from the balloon you see the craters among yellow oaks. In November the flight goes in clear, cold daylight: bring a cape and gloves.
Fageda d'en Jordà: beech forest and farm
The Fageda d'en Jordà peaks from the end of October to mid-November. On those colour Sundays the Can Serra car park fills before eleven, which is why the plan goes to the beech wood in the afternoon, with the cooperative visit booked.
Montseny: guided mushrooms and the inn
In October and November the Montseny park organises a few mushroom Sundays with the Aprèn guides, each in a different forest. The dates come out in its annual programme: if one falls on the long weekend, it is the safe way to learn.
Ripoll: two monasteries and a greenway
When the Pyrenees are between seasons, without leaves or snow, the Ripollès is still worth a visit: two Romanesque monasteries and the Ter greenway, flat and open all year. From September to May Sant Joan is closed on Thursdays.
Vic: square, cured meats and inn
In November Vic is toured under the arcades of the Plaça Major and inside Sert's cathedral, which makes it good in the rain. From October to May the tourist office runs a different themed guided visit each month at 11:30.
Caldes de Montbui: Roman baths and a thermal soak
Caldes's baths are for October to April: with the first cold, an hour at El Safareig for 8 euros is welcome, with the water that comes out at 74 °C from the Font del Lleó. The bath is booked, and so is the restaurant.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
When do the beeches of the Montseny and the Fageda have colour?
Between the end of October and mid-November, depending on the weather. Wind brings them down sooner: look at the park's recent photos.
Can you pick mushrooms in the Montseny?
With the owner's permission and only species you know. The safest is to sign up for one of the park's mushroom Sundays, with a guide.
What is closed on the November long weekend?
The Cement Train ends its season at the start of the month, the Núria Rack Railway runs only at weekends and skiing has not yet begun.
What do you do if it rains?
Vic, for the arcades, the museum and the cathedral; Ripoll, for the monasteries; and Caldes de Montbui, for the hot water.