The most beautiful natural sites to discover Catalonia

Located about 1 km from Sallent, following the Sequià road, this perfectly observable fault, which overhangs the railway line at the La Botjosa potash mines, results from a fracture of the earth's crust associated with the action of compression forces. This is a good example of an inverse fault with a complex structure. The presence of gypsum in the area, once exploited in precarious galleries, gave its name to the structure.

This geological concretion with a French nickname is one of the geological curiosities of the Geopark. It can be found just before reaching the natural site of the Manresans lock, hung on the castle hill on the right bank of the Llobregat River. In addition to erosion caused by meteorological phenomena, the action of the river dynamics of the Llobregat and the forces it exerts on the outer part of the meander have caused the accumulation of sediments at the base of the hill and favoured the appearance of a mass of rocks sculpted by erosion.

North of Balsareny, at the foot of the castle hill, the Manresans lock diverts part of the Llobregat river to create the medieval Sequia canal. The site is surrounded by a lush grove with a rich ecosystem typical of the groves that cover the river landscapes of the heart of Catalonia. The water-intensive plant species that have developed there have adapted to the floodplain with its particularly nutrient-rich soil. Black alders, white willows, poplars and southern ash trees are among the most represented trees. The abundance of fruits and flowers in the area serve as a pantry for many birds such as nightingales and green woodpeckers.

By leaving Barcelona, you arrive very quickly on the beaches frequented by the Barcelona on weekends. Each has its own interest, its particularity. First, Gavá, known as "La Pineda", with its dunes and pine forests. Then Castelldefels, and its large stretches of sand, 5 km, frequented by athletes, fans of wind, windsurfing, surfing and other kites. Both locations are contiguous and connected by a dike for roller or bicycle lovers, who end in Port Ginesta. Through the coastal road, you arrive at the small beach of Garraf, a small bay lined with white and green huts. Very quiet with a terrace restaurant, Garraf Chiringuito: first terrace, tapas; Second terrace, restaurant with specialities from the sea, where it is good to drag away from the parasols with a view of a beautiful sea, a relaxing holiday atmosphere. At the entrance to Sitges, Marina, a small beach and a small harbour with a tropézienne atmosphere with its restaurants and terraces giving directly onto the harbour. In Sitges, the beaches of Balmins and Sant Pedroche are the quietest and the most family-friendly. Fine sand and gentle slope to enter the water, the sea is often hot, thanks to its low depth.