Trails with history – hikes in the Penedès region

Archaeological remains found in the Penedès, a wine region located south of Barcelona, show that its first inhabitants lived there more than 4,000 years ago. The traces of the past begin with the Iberians and reach the convulsive medieval period when this area was one of the frontiers with al-Andalus. This long history has left a rich legacy of history and cultural heritage in the form of castles, watchtowers, lime kilns, old quarries and other vestiges.

The geography of the county itself has also left its mark. In the more mountainous Penedès, where the terrain and the availability of water allowed, settlements also developed around farmhouses, some of which were fortified. The natural territory and its history can help us understand the passage of time and how the Penedès has been transformed. It’s a history of counties and nobles, of border battles and great churches and castles, but also of popular culture, of Marian apparitions, of legends, of small hermitages in the middle of the mountains and of farmhouses in areas that are now abandoned. All these small pieces make up a puzzle that will transport you to a past that has not completely disappeared.

In this Collection, I propose seven Tours through the most mountainous part of the Alt Penedès region from where you will be able to discover its long history. All the routes feature a castle or defence tower, but also large farmhouses, some of them fortified, which were built on top of ancient castles.

The landscape also plays an important role in these routes, which allow you to discover a region beyond the Penedès plain, with dense pine and oak forests. The numerous torrents and streams provide shaded corners full of diversity. And the high plains are also home to crops that have gained ground over the forest. The landscapes of Montmell, Garraf, the Ancosa mountain ranges or the Ordal mountains are not mere guests in this Collection, they are just as much the protagonists as their castles or farmhouses.

The Tours that make up this Collection are suitable for all abilities and don’t require any specific equipment. The Penedès has mild winters and hot summers, which means that this Collection can be done practically at any time of the year, although spring and autumn are the best seasons, coinciding with two important moments. The first showcases the foliage of the vines and the other reveals the grape harvest. Both show the Penedès in the most spectacular way possible.

You won't have any problems getting to the Penedès as it is very well connected by road and train, less than an hour from Barcelona. Nor will it be difficult to find places to sleep or enjoy the region’s cuisine. I recommend that you take a look at the Penedès Tourism Promotion Consortium guide penedesturisme.cat/en, where you’ll find lots of information to help you plan your stay.