Surely you have often heard about “sustainable tourism”, that is, tourism that takes into account the repercussions, both current and future, that it causes at an economic, social, and environmental level. On the Tourdera route, we are lucky to have a Biosphere Reserve, the Montseny Natural Park, and today we wanted to give you some tips so that, when you visit it while doing the route, you can enjoy it in a more sustainable way! (cover photo Rutatur).
Montseny is the massif where the Tordera River and the Arbúcies stream are born, which give our route its name. This space, of great relevance and importance for the biodiversity it hosts (see the post we prepared for you here), must be preserved, and we must make its enjoyment compatible with its conservation. Therefore, following the recommendations of the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Montseny, we provide you with some tips to enjoy it in a sustainable way.
1 – Access the park by public transport
On weekends and holidays, you can use the park bus, through a ticket integrated with RENFE. Currently, you will find 5 lines that will allow you to delve fully into Montseny:
- 573 Sant Celoni-Santa Fe
- 576 Santa Maria de Palautordera – Montseny
- 436 Vic – Viladrau
- 484 Vic – Sant Miquel de Balenyà – Collformic
- Line 572 Sant Celoni – Fontmartina. Demand-responsive transport (TAD)
For more information, you can consult the Natural Park and its park bus website.
2 – Participate in local major festivals
This August, several municipalities are celebrating their major festival. Participate in their events and enjoy their people: concerts, family activities, hikes… a lot of activities for all tastes! In the agenda, you will find all the local festivals of the towns through which the Tourdera passes!
3 – Book guided activities in the Montseny Natural Park
In Montseny, various local guide companies offer visits to beautiful corners of the park. Their experience and professionalism will allow you to learn firsthand about the history and origins of the space, as well as discover its biodiversity. In fact, in an old post, we already talked about the benefits of taking trips through nature with a local guide, but you can find more information on the Natural Park or Turisme Montseny website.
4 – Taste and buy local products
Let yourself be seduced by the local gastronomy. Savor its reference products: chestnut-based products, craft beer, cheeses and sausages, honey… You can enjoy them in the restaurants you will find or through artisan companies that offer tastings and/or guided tours of their facilities. You can also find them in local shops.
5 – Stay in charming facilities
Wake up in the middle of nature, in accommodations that work with quality and sustainability criteria and that will make you feel at home: hostels, summer camps, hotels, rural accommodation… you have a lot of possibilities at your fingertips! You can find information on the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism accommodations here.
6 – Discover the natural environment on foot or by bicycle
This is one of the tips that we like the most on the Tourdera. Montseny has a wide range of signposted trails: GR, PR, local trails, including the Tordera and Arbúcies stream Route (Tourdera) which you surely know. Remember, always, that you must follow the enabled trails and keep your dog on a leash so as not to disturb the livestock activity of Montseny. Do not forget to take away the waste you generate.
7 – Plan your visit and get information from official points
Finally, the last piece of advice we give you is that if you are organizing a stay in the Montseny Natural Park, we recommend that you view the websites of the territory itself, where you will find a wide range of tourism proposals. Once in the area, visit the tourist offices or information centers, which will be able to give you additional information in real-time. Check the information centers and points here.
