On September 22nd, we will officially enter the astronomical autumn, which will last until December 21st with the winter solstice. The time of year will arrive when the landscape changes and yellow, red, and earthy colors begin to dominate the deciduous forests. Or that season that gives us some pleasures for the palate that we cannot find at any other time!
What strikes us most in autumn is the falling of the leaves from deciduous trees. In Montseny, where the Tordera River is born, there are large areas of beech and chestnut forests, which at this time of year are tinged with yellow and reddish colors, just before losing all their leaves. We will always find these types of trees in shady and cool environments, such as north-facing slopes, riverside forests, etc. All the highest sections of the Tourdera, in the municipalities of Montseny and Arbúcies, are full of these magical forests!
While hiking or cycling through the natural environment is very relaxing in itself, doing so in autumn, with the falling leaves of deciduous trees, is even more so. In the Tourdera, we have large forest areas where you can enjoy this time of year and this spectacle of colors and textures. Much of the shadier slopes of the Montseny are full of beech and chestnut forests, which give us this landscape of yellowish and reddish colors that are so characteristic and mesmerizing. While the most characteristic and iconic point of the route to observe this phenomenon is the source of the Tordera River, at the Font Bona in Sant Marçal, there are many other points to observe the leaf fall.
The other great pleasure of autumn is the fruits it gives us: chestnuts, mushrooms, panellets (traditional almond sweets), pumpkins, and a long list of other gastronomic products that remind us of the coziness of home, family conversations, etc. Mind you, remember that you cannot pick chestnuts everywhere, as in many cases their collection is prohibited, so you must be attentive to the signs that warn you. You must also be respectful when collecting mushrooms. We propose that you take a walk along some section of the route, enjoy the landscape, and let the fruits of the forest follow their natural life cycle.
And another thing we love about autumn is the traditions. From All Saints’ Day, that is, the day we remember our ancestors, to the ‘castanyada’, a festival that actually derives from ancient funeral meals, where there was an abundant presence of legumes and nuts and where breads based on these ingredients were made. In fact, these breads have also ended up leading to another of our most deeply rooted autumn traditions, the ‘panellets’. All these meals had a symbolic meaning of communion with the souls of the deceased.
We hope you enjoy the autumn along some section of the Tordera route and “taste” this very special season! Remember that you can take the opportunity to approach some of the nearby local establishments to buy ‘panellets’, chestnuts, sweet potatoes, etc., and thus make the getaway a whole experience! Are you encouraged to visit the Tourdera in autumn?
