Moving and exploring new corners is an almost innate need for people. What we did mostly by walking a few decades ago, today, and increasingly, is done with private vehicles. To reflect on how we can travel more responsibly, we propose looking towards Montseny and seeing how it is possible to visit it with more sustainable mobility options. Visiting the Montseny Natural Park – Biosphere Reserve – can be a more respectful and complete experience if we opt for sustainable mobility. The park works to reduce emissions and protect the environment: fewer cars and more nature.
Using public transport, carpooling, opting for the bicycle, or simply walking are small actions that contribute to reducing the excess of motorized mobility in which we live. For this reason, today we present some alternatives to enjoy the Montseny Natural Park (Biosphere Reserve) in a more environmentally friendly way.
Montseny, located in the Catalan pre-coastal range, is the highest massif in this system and extends over more than 31,000 hectares. This dimension and uniqueness make it very attractive, but at the same time, they have favored that mobility within the park depends mainly on the roads. For this reason, reducing the entry of vehicles and promoting more sustainable options has been one of the priority objectives of recent years.
A clear example is the area of the Pantà de Santa Fe del Montseny, where in a single autumn day more than 1,000 visitors can arrive, often with more than 400 cars parked poorly in Santa Fe and about 200 more in Fontmartina. To avoid situations like this, we share some tips with you:
1. Use public transport
Public transport is a great alternative to access Montseny. You can access by train to the municipalities of Aiguafreda, Balenyà, Breda, el Figaró, la Garriga, Riells i Viabrea, Sant Celoni and Santa Maria de Palautordera. Another option is to access by bus, with stops in the municipalities of Aiguafreda, Cànoves i Samalús, el Figaró, la Garriga, Tagamanent, Gualba, Sant Celoni, Campins, Fogars de Montclús, Santa Fe, Santa M. de Palautordera, Sant Esteve de Palautordera and Viladrau.
In addition, the Bus Parc, active every weekend and holiday (except Christmas and New Year), connects with 5 regular lines and offers combined train + bus tickets. From many stops, signposted routes for all audiences start. You will find all the information in this link.
2. Share a car or choose electric vehicles
Transport is responsible for nearly 30% of greenhouse gas emissions in Catalonia. Sharing a vehicle is a good way to reduce its impact. And, if you have an electric car, in the park you will find charging points in the main parking areas and in various municipalities such as Breda, Santa Maria de Palautordera, Seva, Taradell or Viladrau.
3. Use authorized parking lots
To avoid messy parking, 12 strategic parking zones have been created, connected to routes and trails: Can Cruspinell, la plana Amagada, Can Domènec, Coll de Bordoriol, Collformic, Font de Passavets, Plana dels Bombers, Sant Marçal I, Santa Fe, Santa Helena, Sesferreres or Vallfornès.
4. Discover the park with signposted itineraries
Montseny has more than 35 signposted routes, including our “Tordera Route and Arbúcies stream”. Walking through them allows you to discover its rich natural and cultural heritage calmly. In addition, some of these routes are adapted for people with reduced mobility or visual impairment. Check the Park’s itineraries here.
Betting on sustainable mobility in Montseny is key to preserving biodiversity and reducing emissions. Carpooling, using public transport, traveling through the park on foot or by bicycle are efficient, accessible and respectful options. This September, the European Mobility Week and World Tourism Day are celebrated. It is a great opportunity to join in from Montseny and continue working for a cleaner and healthier environment.
