Family excursions in Bages: 8 nature plans with kids

The Bages region, in the heart of Catalonia, is one of the best-kept secrets for families with children looking for nature plans without travelling too far from Barcelona. With rivers, mountains, salt mines and educational farms, Bages offers excursions for all tastes and ages. At Granja Natura, located in Navàs right in the centre of this region, we know all the spots that make children’s eyes light up.

Why is Bages ideal for family excursions?

Bages combines three ingredients that make it unique for families:

• Proximity: 50-70 minutes from Barcelona via the C-16 or C-55 motorways
• Variety: from underground mines to hilltop viewpoints with 360-degree panoramas
• Value: most nature trails are completely free

Unlike more crowded destinations such as Montserrat, Bages maintains a peaceful, authentic character that lets you enjoy nature without the crowds. The region covers 1,300 km² of diverse landscape: vineyards, pine forests, rivers and unique geological formations.

1. Granja Natura (Navàs): animals, nature and education

Granja Natura is a nature education centre in Navàs with over 30 animal species: goats, pigs, chickens, emus, iguanas, snakes, tortoises and many more. Visits are led by environmental educators who share fascinating facts about each animal in a fun and engaging way.

Children can touch and feed many of the animals, an experience that creates unforgettable memories. Beyond family visits, it offers programmes for schools, birthday celebrations and volunteering activities.

• Family visit hours: weekends and public holidays, guided visit 11:00-13:00; Afternoon Workshop 15:00-16:15 (€12, separate activity, recommended for ages 5+)
• Price: adults €15.90, children 2-14 €13.90, infants 1-2 €6.95
• Age: all ages (under 1 free)
• Book: granjanatura.com/en/book/

2. Cardona Salt Mountain: underground adventure

The Cardona Salt Mountain is a potash and rock salt deposit unique in Europe. The guided tour descends 86 metres underground through mining galleries where the walls shimmer with salt crystals in white, grey, blue and even pink.

For children, it’s a fascinating adventure: walking through illuminated tunnels, touching salt walls and feeling the constant 15°C temperature year-round. The visit lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

• Distance from Navàs: 25 minutes
• Price: €12 adults, €7 children aged 3-12; check current prices on the official website
• Recommended age: from 3 years
• Tip: bring a jacket, it’s a constant 15°C inside the mine year-round

3. Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac Natural Park

Sant Llorenç del Munt Natural Park offers hiking trails adapted for families. The most popular route leads to the Romanesque monastery of La Mola at 1,104 metres altitude, with spectacular views over the Vallès and Bages regions.

For families with young children, the route from Coll d’Estenalles (2.5 km, 1 hour) is perfect: wide path, gentle slope and views from the very first minute. Older children can tackle the full route to La Mola (5 km, 2.5 hours).

• Distance from Navàs: 35 minutes
• Difficulty: easy (Coll d’Estenalles) to moderate (La Mola)
• Highlight: rock formations that look like natural sculptures

4. El Cogulló de Sallent: the Bages viewpoint

El Cogulló is a 466-metre hill with a hermitage at the top offering one of the best panoramic views in the region. The climb from Sallent is short (30 minutes) and suitable for children aged 4 and up. From the summit, you can see Montserrat, the Pyrenees and the entire Bages plain.

• Distance from Navàs: 10 minutes
• Duration: 1 hour (round trip)
• Difficulty: easy
• Combine with: a visit to the farm on the same day

5. Riverside walks along the Llobregat in Manresa

The Parc de la Sèquia in Manresa offers a 4.5 km riverside itinerary following the medieval irrigation channel that carried water from the Llobregat to the city. The path is flat, paved and pushchair-accessible, ideal for families with very young children or those with reduced mobility.

Along the route you’ll find information panels about the river’s flora and fauna, rest areas, and spots where children can observe ducks, wagtails and dragonflies.

• Distance from Navàs: 20 minutes
• Difficulty: very easy
• Highlight: accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs

6. The Salt Road (Cardona, Súria)

The ancient Salt Road is a 12 km route following the path of the carts that once transported salt from Cardona to Súria. Today it’s a waymarked trail passing through pine forests, farmland and views of the River Cardener.

For families with children, we recommend doing just the first 4 km section (Cardona, Font de la Tosca), which is flat and shaded. The Font de la Tosca is a magical spot where water has created natural limestone formations.

• Distance from Navàs: 25 minutes (starting in Cardona)
• Difficulty: easy (4 km family section)
• Highlight: limestone formations at Font de la Tosca

7. Cardona Castle: history you can touch

Cardona Castle, known as the “castle of the counts”, is a 9th-century medieval fortress perched on a hilltop with views over the entire region. Today it’s a Parador hotel, but you can visit the Romanesque church of Sant Vicenç (11th century) and stroll through the exterior gardens for free.

Children love exploring the walls and towers and imagining medieval life. The combination of Salt Mountain + Castle makes a perfect full-day plan in Cardona for families.

• Distance from Navàs: 25 minutes
• Price: exterior free, guided interior tour from €5; check current prices on the official website
• Recommended age: from 4 years

8. GR 170: the Minerals Route

The GR 170 crosses Bages from north to south following the region’s mining heritage. You don’t need to do the whole thing: the stage between Sallent and Balsareny (6 km) is ideal for families. It passes through former mining areas, white pine forests and offers views of the Pyrenees.

• Distance from Navàs: 5 minutes (starting in Sallent or Balsareny)
• Difficulty: easy-moderate
• Duration: 2 hours

Tips for enjoying excursions in Bages with kids

• Spring and autumn are the best seasons, summer in inland Bages can exceed 35°C
• Book in advance for timed activities (the farm, the Salt Mountain)
• Bring water and sun protection, many trails have limited shade
• Combine 2 plans in one day: morning at the farm + afternoon at El Cogulló, or morning at the Salt Mountain + afternoon at Cardona Castle
• Check our zero-waste backpack guide for tips on sustainable excursions

Discover Bages with Granja Natura

If you’re looking for a family excursion in Bages that’s educational, fun and in direct contact with nature, Granja Natura is the perfect starting point. Every weekend and public holiday, families from across Catalonia come to Navàs to discover our 30+ animal species and connect with nature. Book your visit and start exploring Bages with your family!