5 nature walks for families this summer

BarcelonaWhere are we going today? If you have a few days off and haven't decided on plans or destinations yet, we suggest five short, accessible hikes that are ideal for children if you're keen to hike and explore the diverse natural landscapes close to home.

More than a hike, this route is a walk, but one full of adventure and soaking. Its simplest version is just one kilometer round trip. You can do it by bike from Prat de Comte station along the Terra Alta greenway, which runs along the section of the old railway between La Puebla de Híjar, in Aragon, and Tortosa. It's a path surrounded by nature and free of cars, which also passes through the old railway tunnels. You'll soon come to a wooden bridge and a paved, signposted path to Fontcalda, an emblematic natural area of the region located in the Sierra de Pàndols, named for the thermal spring that flows out at 28 degrees Celsius. The Canaletes River cuts through here, forming a small, winding gorge that gives rise to a number of natural pools cut into the rocks, which can be explored on the side via steps and walkways. Beyond nature, it's also a destination steeped in history, as it was a pilgrimage site for its healing waters, documented since the 14th century, when some monks attempted to start a convent community that failed. The neoclassical church dates back to the 18th century and was burned during the Civil War, resulting in the loss of the Baroque altar and the Virgin Mary it housed. This idyllic, wild natural setting, ideal for families, offers a bar and restaurant during high season.

If you like fantasy and mystery, you can enter this enchanted forest of lush vegetation and follow the Camin dera Bruisha Between Tredós and Baqueira, it runs along the Aiguamòg River in the Aran Valley. The route is perfectly signposted and circular, starting and ending at the municipal parking lot in Tredòs, a charming village near Vielha. It's a two-kilometer, flat and very accessible route, ideal for children, who can let their imaginations run wild with the witch's house, trees with faces, and the tooth fairy's house. You'll find more magical elements, such as a giant broom and a witch's hat, if you follow the signposted detour. The Magic Corner (The Magic Corner, in Aranese). Beyond the theme, nature surrounds the route. You can have a meal in the rest area with swings before crossing the wooden bridge or relax with the scenery and dip your feet in the river if you stop further on. A fun excursion that doesn't require much effort if you visit the area, and a way to learn about the importance of legends, superstitions, and witches in the culture of the Pyrenees, the birthplace of witch hunts. Don't worry, they aren't the scary kind; they are usually witches and medicinal women who gather to chat and dance. So if you encounter them, be friendly.

The Ebro Delta is an ideal destination for hiking with children: there are many diverse trails, the terrain is flat, the landscape is striking, and the biodiversity of the Ebro mouth, with more than 500 species of vegetation and more than 300 different bird species, makes it an incomparable environment. The wildlife is concentrated in the ponds, and the largest are the Tancada and the Encanyissada, around which there are two circular routes of about three hours each, each on foot. But if you don't want to miss either, you can cycle around both in about three hours total, an ideal route to do with children. The starting point is the Casa de Madera, where you can rent bikes (and also eat a delicious rice dish). The route is varied: it passes through bike paths, dirt roads, and roads. And the landscape is also diverse: you'll see everything from the reed vegetation that surrounds the first section to Eucaliptus Beach, passing by several bird observatories. Mallard ducks, white-crowned night herons, moorhens, stilts, great egrets, or flamingos... be prepared to recognize them before you go and try to identify them! And remember, you're in a natural park, so you shouldn't leave the paths or make any sudden noise or movements. If you see a nest, don't approach it, as this could cause the birds to abandon their nest.

The mountains and rock formations, from the soaring peaks to the winding valleys, hold the history of millions of years of evolution and are an unbeatable natural environment for learning and connecting children with nature. The Els Ports Natural Park is a magnificent example, with its complexly formed limestone massifs and disturbing shapes. There are many trails to explore, but this circular route is the shortest of all. So, there's no excuse for both adults and children who aren't used to hiking. With a journey of just over a kilometer, you can enter Els Ports along stone paths, see a cave and a spectacular cavity with a waterfall in the corner known as Marc's Cave, and take a beautiful photo of the Agujero de la Vieja (Old Woman's Hole). The trail begins in the Valle Area—Galera ravine—which can be reached via the TV-3421 road past Mas de Barberans as you continue toward La Sénia. Once you pass the recreational area, there's an information panel and a wooden bridge where you can park (you can also leave your car in the area, but the route will be longer). From there, you'll walk through the vegetation on a slight incline to the cave and then to Forat de la Vella, from where you'll descend the Galera ravine, which will take you back to the bridge.

Combining legend and nature in a gentle hike is possible. In the Camprodon Valley, in Ripollès, lies the Mirador del Dragón trail, an accessible hike surrounded by natural beauty for children to discover a magical setting. The trail begins in Villalonga de Ter, where you can leave your car in the parking lot at the end of the village. Well signposted and with wooden handrails on the steepest sections, it gently climbs to the Mirador del Drac, where you will find metal sculptures evoking the local legend and spectacular views over the valley. The ascent is fun, and both the elevation gain and the distance, taking about an hour and a half in total, are manageable for little ones (even with strollers or baby carriers). Legend has it that a huge dragon that lived in these mountains made life miserable for the villagers, until a young man confronted it and managed to make it disappear. The viewpoint aims to commemorate this legendary episode, and that's why, in summer, there's a small sound and light show (usually at 2 p.m. and 10 p.m.), which represents the dragon's symbolic refrain and delights children. If you take a trip to the area, be sure to visit Camprodon's historic center, the Romanesque bridge over the Ter, and its fountains, which sprout everywhere, both inside and outside the town center.