Two hours from Barcelona you can be in the foothills of the Pyrenees, and in one you can reach the cliffs and waterfalls of Osona and the Vallès Oriental. These places come from my list of saved places on Google Maps: mountains, viewpoints, cliffs and forest trails. The descriptions are put together from Google Maps reviews, and I'll add my own notes as I go.
Hours and details come from Google Maps reviews, valid as of 1 October 2026. Rate: 1 € ≈ $1.13.
In short
- The mountain: Pedraforca, with the views of it from Mirador del Pedraforca and Mirador de Gresolet.
- Book ahead: Sant Miquel del Fai. It's free, but only with an online booking, about a week in advance.
- Closer to the city: Sant Miquel del Fai and the Ruta dels Arbres de Vallcàrquera in the Vallès Oriental.
- You'll need a car: for Berguedà and Cadí-Moixeró; reviewers say there's no public transport.
The Pyrenean foothills: Berguedà and Cadí-Moixeró
The farthest part of the list, about two hours' drive north of Barcelona, around Berga, Bagà and Saldes. It's a full day of mountain roads, viewpoints and trails.
Santuari de Queralt
Berga · sanctuary and viewpoint · daily 8:00–20:00
Google Maps · website · BV-4242, 10
According to Google Maps reviews (4.6 from 2,500+): a sanctuary with unusual architecture on a hilltop above Berga, with long views and trails around it. Its paths and stairs take about 30 minutes to walk; there's a car park and a tiny souvenir shop. Dogs are welcome on the grounds but not in the church. It gets very hot up there in summer, so bring water.
Pedraforca
Saldes, Berguedà · mountain, 2,506 m
Google Maps · Parc Natural del Cadí-Moixeró
According to Google Maps reviews (4.8 from 763): one of the most recognisable mountains in Catalonia, its fork-shaped double peak visible from far away. There are routes for experienced climbers and for casual walkers; the loop to the summit takes about five hours, with an easy scramble at the end. Don't underestimate the ascent via Coll del Verdet, especially if you're afraid of heights. Parking is free and there's a refuge with a shop at the trailhead; waymarking is poor, so take a map or an app.
Mirador del Pedraforca
Saldes, Berguedà · viewpoint · open any time
Google Maps · website · Saldes
According to Google Maps reviews (4.8 from 589): a small viewpoint near Saldes looking at Pedraforca and the Cadí-Moixeró park. Its boards have maps, useful information and local legends about the mountain.
Mirador de Gresolet
Saldes, Berguedà · viewpoint · open any time
Google Maps · by the road above the Gresolet valley
According to Google Maps reviews (4.8 from 1,900+): one of the quickest stops for a breathtaking mountain view, easy to reach by car. A refuge is a ten-minute walk away, and trails continue through the forest towards Saldes and Pedraforca. Reviewers say spring and autumn are the best seasons.
Parc Natural del Cadí-Moixeró
Bagà, Berguedà · natural park · visitor centre: Mon–Thu 9:00–14:00, Fri 9:00–14:00 and 16:00–18:00, Sat 9:00–16:00, Sun 9:00–13:30
Google Maps · website · Carrer de la Vinya, 1, Bagà
According to Google Maps reviews (4.7 from 4,900+): a vast park of jagged peaks, pine forest, meadows and waterfalls, home to ibex and woodpeckers; the visitor centre is in Bagà. The trails are well marked and suit every level. Birdwatchers recommend the road from Bagà to Coll de Pal, and the morning mist in the valleys is beautiful. Reviewers say there are no trains or buses, so you'll need a car.
Mirador de la Figuerassa
Cercs, Berguedà · viewpoint · open any time
Google Maps · website · Cercs
According to Google Maps reviews (4.8 from 619): a summit viewpoint by a big antenna, with a view as far as Montserrat. It's reached by about 8 km of dirt road: some say any car can do it, others that it's hard going in a small car. You may have to open a cattle gate on the way. On foot, the climb takes a few hours.
Cliffs and waterfalls: Tavertet, Sant Miquel del Fai, Vallcàrquera
Between Barcelona and Vic: the cliffs of Osona and the gorges of the Vallès Oriental. Sant Miquel del Fai and Vallcàrquera are closer; Tavertet is farther, in the hills above the Sau reservoir.
Mirador del Silenci
Tavertet, Osona · viewpoint · open any time
Google Maps · road near Tavertet
According to Google Maps reviews (4.9 from 111): a viewpoint on the way from Rupit to Tavertet with a near-perfect rating, though the reviews are few and short. People praise the view by day and the starry sky at night. With so few reviews, there are no more details to add.
Sant Miquel del Fai
Riells del Fai, Vallès Oriental · monastery and waterfalls · daily 10:00–16:30
Google Maps · website · BV-1485, km 7
According to Google Maps reviews (4.5 from 4,600+): a medieval monastery under sheer cliffs, with a church built into the rock, waterfalls, caves with stalactites and a view over the Tenes valley. Entry is free but only with an online booking: you get two QR codes (one for the car, one for the entrance) and a two-hour slot, and slots go fast, so book about a week ahead. It's easier to park up top, with no time limit, and walk down; reviewers also mention getting here by bus from Barcelona. Downsides: parts of the site are still under restoration, and the toilets are in bad shape.
Ruta dels Arbres de Vallcàrquera
Figaró-Montmany, Vallès Oriental · walking trail · open any time
Google Maps · Ctra. de Ribes, 98
According to Google Maps reviews (4.4 from 615): a short forest trail along a stream with a small waterfall, good for a gentle Sunday walk, a picnic or a dog walk. The downside: there are no panoramic views, and some think the area has better routes.
One last thing
Mountains and viewpoints are always open, so save them for Monday, when almost all the museums and castles around Barcelona are closed. Sant Miquel del Fai is open every day, but book its slots about a week ahead.
More on Barcelona: the coast, towns and food.