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Walking routes from Can Robira: from a family stroll to Sant Jeroni

Waterfalls, medieval towers, the wine country of Penedès and Montserrat. A selection of walks within easy reach of the farmhouse, ordered by difficulty and with practical advice.

A region with routes for every level

The countryside around Can Robira brings together Mediterranean landscape, vineyards, woodland, old farmhouses and historical heritage. The combination of Anoia, Penedès and the foothills of Montserrat offers an unusually rich network of walking routes: within less than an hour of the farmhouse you will find options ranging from a gentle family outing to a demanding day in the mountains.

This selection gathers the routes we most often recommend to our guests, arranged in order of increasing difficulty. It is not an exhaustive list: these are the routes that have proved their worth through experience, that best reveal the character of the landscape, and that work perfectly as a day out from the farmhouse.

Before setting off, it is worth checking the weather forecast, carrying water and appropriate footwear, and keeping to marked paths at all times. On check-in we will give you a map with the routes marked and their starting points.

Easy · Salts d'Aigua de Cabrera d'Anoia

The Salts d'Aigua de Cabrera d'Anoia route is the most straightforward option and, quite possibly, the most photogenic in the area. It is a short circular walk that passes natural waterfalls in a wooded setting. It is perfect for families with children aged five or six and above, couples on a weekend break, and anyone who simply wants to stretch their legs after a day's travel.

Allow between one and two hours at a leisurely pace. The terrain is mostly comfortable, with occasional rockier sections. In spring, when the flow is generous, the falls are especially striking. In summer the flow drops, but the shade of the woodland keeps the walk pleasant.

This is a good route to pair with a relaxed breakfast at the farmhouse and lunch at one of the restaurants on our list. Set off early and be back in good time to eat.

Moderate · Watchtowers and medieval castles

The countryside of Anoia and the lower slopes of Montserrat preserve a remarkable network of watchtowers and medieval castles dating from the tenth and eleventh centuries. Local footpaths linking several of these towers allow for half-day walks of considerable historical interest.

This is a route of moderate difficulty: uneven terrain, some short climbs and little shade at the more exposed points. Suitable for those accustomed to walking; not recommended for young children or on very hot days.

Combining it with an interpretive visit or a local guide greatly enriches the experience: they explain the defensive logic of the tower network and the historical context of the medieval frontier between Penedès and central Catalonia.

Moderate · The Penedès wine country on foot or by gravel bike

One of the most rewarding routes for anyone coming to explore the area is the journey through the Penedès vineyards, right on the edge of Anoia. It can be done by gravel bike or on foot in sections, combining vines, small wineries and wine-producing villages.

The landscape changes considerably with the seasons: budbreak in spring, lush green vines in summer, copper tones in autumn and winter pruning. Each time of year has its own visual character.

If this is of particular interest, you can combine the route with a visit to one of the Penedès wineries and a natural wine tasting at the Can Robira cellar on your return. It makes for a complete day for anyone who wants to understand the craft of wine without chemicals.

Moderate–challenging · Sant Jeroni on Montserrat

The ascent to Sant Jeroni, the highest peak on Montserrat at 1,236 metres, is the most ambitious option in this selection. The classic route sets off from the area around the Monastery or from the Sant Jeroni car park, combining broad paths with rockier sections.

It is a route of moderate to high difficulty: not technical, but it requires stamina and suitable footwear. Allow two to three hours for the ascent and a similar amount for the descent, depending on your pace. The views from the summit make it worthwhile: on a clear day you can see a great part of Catalonia.

It is advisable to set off very early, particularly in summer, to carry sufficient water and to protect yourself from the sun. From Can Robira you can drive to the starting point in 25 minutes.

Routes at a glance

Salts d'Aigua de Cabrera d'Anoia
Easy · 1–2 hrs · family-friendly
Medieval towers and castles
Moderate · 3–4 hrs · heritage
Penedès wine country (on foot or gravel)
Moderate · 2–4 hrs · vineyard
Sant Jeroni on Montserrat
Moderate–challenging · 5–6 hrs · summit
Usual starting point
Can Robira or nearby car parks
Best season
Spring and autumn

Recommended kit

  • Closed-toe sports shoes or trekking boots depending on the route.
  • Water: at least 1 litre for shorter routes, 1.5–2 litres for Sant Jeroni.
  • Cap and sun cream for routes with exposed sections.
  • A light extra layer: the wind can catch you off guard, especially on summits.
  • Mobile phone with a charged battery and an offline or printed map in case you lose signal.
  • Walking poles if you have knee problems: the descent from Sant Jeroni will thank you for them.

Combine your walk with other plans

Cycling and trail running

For those who enjoy mountain biking or gravel riding, the countryside around Can Robira is wonderfully rewarding. The combination of forest tracks, Penedès vineyards and rural lanes through Anoia offers varied routes that are technically accessible. A classic half-day circuit passes through several wine-producing villages with stops at small wineries.

For trail running, the tracks around the farmhouse allow for outings of between 5 and 15 kilometres with manageable elevation gain and a genuinely rural atmosphere. It is an ideal area to train in the early morning or at dusk, when the heat of the day has passed and the quiet of the countryside helps you focus.

If you are bringing your own bike or planning a specific outing, we can provide GPS-marked routes, resupply points and seasonal advice at check-in.

Heritage along the way: small stops worth making

Many routes in the area pass close to modest heritage features that are easy to miss if you do not know they are there: rural chapels, springs, old ovens, threshing floors, the remains of abandoned farmhouses. They are unassuming details, but each one carries a layer of local history.

A well-planned outing can weave together a walk with three or four heritage stops and turn a simple stroll into a small cultural immersion. The network of watchtowers and medieval castles mentioned earlier is only one part of it; there is much more scattered across the comarca.

For those who would like a guided visit with a local perspective, there are specialist companies offering interpretive tours of the rural heritage of Anoia. This is a good option for groups or for visitors with a particular interest in history.

When to go and how to plan your day

The best time of day for walking in this area depends on the season. In summer, setting off very early — before eight in the morning — and returning before midday is the most comfortable approach. The heat of the middle hours is punishing on exposed summits and shadeless stretches.

In spring and autumn, almost any hour works well, though the light at the beginning and end of the day is the most beautiful for photography. In winter, midday is the warmest window, particularly in sheltered, shaded spots where the cold tends to linger.

For a well-planned day: check the forecast the night before, prepare your pack in the morning, set off with time to spare, let someone know your route, and return with daylight to spare. Improvisation works for short strolls; for serious routes, it does not.

Frequently asked questions

Are the routes waymarked?

Most of them are, with local footpath or GR markers. On check-in we will give you a map with the starting points and the markings to follow.

Can they be done with children?

Salts d'Aigua and sections of the Sant Joan route on Montserrat are suitable. For Sant Jeroni and the tower route, it is better to wait until children are older and have some walking experience.

Are there routes accessible for people with reduced mobility?

Some sections around the farmhouse and certain approaches to Montserrat are adapted, but most routes are not. Please ask us for specific options.

Can I hire a bike in the area?

There are options in Igualada and other nearby villages. We can recommend a provider based on your dates and the type of bike you need when you are planning your visit.

Can I go running in the area?

Yes, there are tracks and paths that are perfectly suited to trail running. The countryside around Can Robira is particularly rewarding for a run in the early morning or at dusk.

Ask us for the map on arrival

On check-in we provide a map with the routes marked and practical advice for each season.

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