What to do · Montseny
The Santa Fe Reservoir and Beech Forest
Information
- Price
- Self-guided · free
- Duration
- 1 h 30
- Season
- Best in October and November; in autumn, with regulated access at weekends
- Who it's for
- All ages
- With a dog
- Dog-friendly
What it is
Santa Fe is the best-known corner of the Montseny: a small reservoir surrounded by beeches, at 1,080 m, with the old Santa Fe hotel and the hermitage beside it. The dam was begun in the 1920s and the reservoir was opened in 1935; the hotel dates from 1912 to 1914. The Santa Fe valley is a dense beech forest that turns yellow, orange and copper in autumn. It is the classic Montseny walk in October and November, and so also the busiest.
Walking here is free and doesn't require fitness: going round the reservoir and spending a while in the beech forest is the whole visit.
What walks there are
From the Santa Fe car park, the Natural Park signposts several routes:
- Volta al pantà de Santa Fe: the circuit of the reservoir, flat, among beeches and with the hotel and dam in view. It is the walk for everyone.
- La Font del Frare: an adapted, accessible route that can also be done with a pushchair or wheelchair.
- SL-C 86, the Roc Perer: a longer local path, through the forest.
- Empedrat de Morou: the paved path that climbs towards the Morou.
- SL-C 208, from Santa Fe to the Turó de l'Home and les Agudes: the climb to the highest peaks of the massif. It is already a mountain outing of half a day or more, with serious ascent.
- PR-C 204, Pujada a Santa Fe: the path that climbs here from below.
For the circuit of the reservoir and a while in the beech forest, allow an hour or an hour and a half. Check the Park's website for the route and length of the others before setting off.
Getting there and parking
By car, on the BV-5114 road, which climbs from Sant Celoni and Campins on one side and from Viladrau and Seva on the other. The public car park at Santa Fe is at km 21 of the BV-5114; it reopened after refurbishment on 1 July 2025 and is free. The road has many bends: allow plenty of time.
In autumn, at weekends and on bank-holiday weekends, the Santa Fe car parks fill up and car access has been regulated or cut off when there is no room left. Check the notices from the Montseny Natural Park before going.
By public transport, the Bus Parc, line 573, goes up to Santa Fe from Sant Celoni station, which the Rodalies R2 Nord reaches. It runs at weekends; check the current timetables on the Park's website or the operator's.
When to go
The time for colour is from mid-October to mid-November, depending on the year. During the week or first thing on Saturday you will find it much quieter. In spring the beech forest is light green and there are very few people. In summer, at 1,080 m, it is cooler than on the plain. In winter it can freeze and snow: the road demands caution and, with snow, chains.
With children, a dog and accessibility
The circuit of the reservoir is flat and suitable for small children. La Font del Frare is designed as an accessible route. Dogs must be on a lead: it is a natural park and there are many people at weekends. Stay on the paths and don't pick plants.
Where to eat
There are few services up here. In Montseny village, La Fonda del Montseny serves Catalan cooking and grilled food from Wednesday to Sunday; in autumn, book.
Tips
- Go during the week in autumn On Saturdays and Sundays in October and November the car park fills early. On a Tuesday morning you have it almost to yourself.
- Take the Bus Parc at weekends You forget about the queue of cars on the BV-5114 and looking for a space.
- Bring a warm layer At 1,080 m and in the shade of the beeches, it is cold in autumn even when it isn't in Barcelona.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Santa Fe beech forest at its best?
Between mid-October and mid-November, depending on how the autumn turns out.
Do you have to pay to park at Santa Fe?
No. The public car park at km 21 of the BV-5114 is free, but in autumn it fills up and access may be regulated.
Can I go by public transport?
Yes, at weekends, on the Bus Parc 573 from Sant Celoni station, where the R2 Nord stops.
With a dog
